Plakins: Goliaths that link cell junctions and the cytoskeleton

Abstract

Plakins comprise a family of proteins that crosslink cytoskeletal filaments and attach them to membrane-associated complexes at cell junctions. They were originally found associated with intermediate filaments and were believed to function primarily in maintaining epithelial tissue integrity. However, new plakins with unique isoforms that are enormous in size have been identified in the past few years. These new plakins have highlighted further functions in all the cytoskeletal networks, as well as in non-epithelial cells.