Keratin Dynamics: Modeling the Interplay between Turnover and Transport

TL;DR

This study uses experimentally-driven mathematical models to investigate how keratin turnover and active transport influence keratin organization in epithelial cells, highlighting the necessity of active transport for proper organization.

Contribution

The paper introduces a mathematical modeling framework that identifies the role of active transport in keratin organization, supported by experimental data, which is a novel approach in this context.

Findings

Active transport of keratin is essential for its organization in cells.

Disassembly of keratin occurs in the perinuclear region.

The best model combines disassembly and active transport to match experimental observations.

Abstract

Keratin are among the most abundant proteins in epithelial cells. Functions of the keratin network in cells are shaped by their dynamical organization. Using a collection of experimentally-driven mathematical models, different hypotheses for the turnover and transport of the keratin material in epithelial cells are tested. The interplay between turnover and transport and their effects on the keratin organization in cells are hence investigated by combining mathematical modeling and experimental data. Amongst the collection of mathematical models considered, a best model strongly supported by experimental data is identified. Fundamental to this approach is the fact that optimal parameter values associated with the best fit for each model are established. The best candidate among the best fits is characterized by the disassembly of the assembled keratin material in the perinuclear region and an active transport of the assembled keratin. Our study shows that an active transport of the assembled keratin is required to explain the experimentally observed keratin organization.