Phosphorylation-dependent control of structures of intermediate filaments: a novel approach using site- and phosphorylation state-specific antibodies.

Site-specific phosphorylation of intermediate filament (IF) proteins on serine and threonine residues leads to dynamic alterations in filament structure. Site- and phosphorylation state-specific antibodies for IF proteins can visualize spatial and temporal distribution of site-specific IF protein phosphorylations in the cell. These antibodies are also useful to identity IF kinases involved in cellular events, including cell signaling and cell cycle.