Vimentin Protein

Vimentin Protein

Overview

<table class="infobox infobox-protein">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">Vimentin Protein</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Name</td>
<td>Vimentin</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene</td>
<td>VIM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt ID</td>
<td>P08670</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Molecular Weight</td>
<td>57 kDa</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Subclass</td>
<td>Type III Intermediate Filament</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosome</td>
<td>10p13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Expression</td>
<td>Mesenchymal cells, astrocytes, developing neurons</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Fluid</td>
<td>Application</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">CSF</td>
<td>Neurodegeneration</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Blood</td>
<td>TBI</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Tears</td>
<td>PD screening</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein</td>
<td>Interaction</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">GFAP</td>
<td>Co-assembly</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Nestin</td>
<td>Heterodimerization</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">PKC</td>
<td>Phosphorylation</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">CDK1</td>
<td>Phosphorylation</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">ALS</a>, <a href="/wiki/aging" style="color:#ef9a9a">Aging</a>, <a href=

Vimentin Protein

Overview

<table class="infobox infobox-protein">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">Vimentin Protein</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein Name</td>
<td>Vimentin</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Gene</td>
<td>VIM</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">UniProt ID</td>
<td>P08670</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Molecular Weight</td>
<td>57 kDa</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Subclass</td>
<td>Type III Intermediate Filament</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Chromosome</td>
<td>10p13</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Expression</td>
<td>Mesenchymal cells, astrocytes, developing neurons</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Fluid</td>
<td>Application</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">CSF</td>
<td>Neurodegeneration</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Blood</td>
<td>TBI</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Tears</td>
<td>PD screening</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Protein</td>
<td>Interaction</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">GFAP</td>
<td>Co-assembly</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Nestin</td>
<td>Heterodimerization</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">PKC</td>
<td>Phosphorylation</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">CDK1</td>
<td>Phosphorylation</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Associated Diseases</td>
<td><a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">ALS</a>, <a href="/wiki/aging" style="color:#ef9a9a">Aging</a>, <a href="/wiki/als" style="color:#ef9a9a">Als</a>, <a href="/wiki/autoimmune" style="color:#ef9a9a">Autoimmune</a>, <a href="/wiki/cancer" style="color:#ef9a9a">Cancer</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">KG Connections</td>
<td><a href="/atlas" style="color:#4fc3f7">157 edges</a></td>
</tr>
</table>

Pathway Diagram

Vimentin is a type III intermediate filament protein that functions as a major structural component of the cytoskeleton in mesenchymal cells, astrocytes, and neurons during development. While Vimentin is largely replaced by neurofilaments in mature neurons, it continues to play essential roles in glial cells, activated astrocytes, and during neuronal stress responses. [@vandelft2017]

In neurodegenerative diseases, Vimentin re-expression and phosphorylation are hallmarks of neuronal injury, and its detection in cerebrospinal fluid and blood serves as a biomarker for neuroaxonal damage. [@salvador2020]

Structure and Biochemistry

Protein Architecture

Vimentin is a 466 amino acid protein organized into distinct structural domains:

Intermediate Filament Assembly

Vimentin forms intermediate filaments (10 nm diameter) through a stepwise process:

Post-Translational Modifications

Vimentin undergoes extensive post-translational modifications:

• Phosphorylation: Ser/Thr kinases (PKC, CDK1, GSK3β) regulate filament disassembly
• Acetylation: Affects filament stability and function
• Oxidation: Reactive oxygen species modify Vimentin in disease states

Normal Biological Function

Neuronal Development

During CNS development, Vimentin plays critical roles: [@mor1989][@ikeda2018]

Glial Cell Function

In mature CNS, Vimentin is primarily expressed in astrocytes: [@pelletier2012]

Immune Functions

Vimentin functions as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP): [@rittie2018][@ledaer2018]

Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Alzheimer's Disease

Vimentin alterations are prominent in AD: [@bhat2021]

Astrocyte Reactivity

• Vimentin is upregulated in reactive astrocytes surrounding amyloid plaques
• Forms part of the astroglial response in AD
• GFAP/Vimentin double-positive astrocytes are abundant

Neurofibrillary Pathology

• Vimentin is incorporated into some NFT-like structures
• Co-localizes with phosphorylated tau in certain cases
• May serve as a scaffold for filamentous inclusions

Biomarker Potential

• Vimentin in CSF correlates with disease progression
• Vimentin fragments in blood as AD biomarkers

Parkinson's Disease

Vimentin contributes to PD pathogenesis: [@reichert2020]

Astrocyte Activation

• Vimentin-positive astrocytes in substantia nigra
• Reactive gliosis in PD brain
• Contributes to neuroinflammation

Alpha-Synuclein Interactions

• Vimentin may sequester α-synuclein aggregates
• Altered in models of α-synucleinopathy
• Role in Lewy body formation

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Vimentin is altered in ALS: [@cheng2016]

Prion Disease

Vimentin is involved in prion pathogenesis: [@sivadasan2016]

• PrPsc deposition triggers Vimentin alterations
• Astrocytic Vimentin in prion disease
• Potential role in prion spread

Traumatic Brain Injury

Vimentin is a sensitive marker for neurotrauma: [@chiang2019]

• Rapidly released following injury
• Biomarker for axonal damage
• Correlates with injury severity

Therapeutic Implications

Biomarker Development

Vimentin and its fragments serve as biomarkers: [@salvador2020]

Therapeutic Targets

Interaction Network

Intermediate Filament Network

Neurofilament (NF-L, NF-M, NF-H)
↑
Vimentin
↓
GFAP (Astrocytes)
↓
α-Internexin

Key Protein Interactions

Vimentin Mutations and Disease

Giant Axonal Neuropathy (GAN)

Recessive VIM mutations cause GAN: [@snyder2022]

• Progressive motor and sensory neuropathy
• Kinky/hair appearance
• Intermediate filament accumulation

Other Vimentinopathies

• Scarf syndrome (VIM mutations)
• Cataract with Vimentin mutations
• Dilated cardiomyopathy

See Also

• [VIM Gene](/genes/vimentin)
• [GFAP Protein](/proteins/gfap-protein)
• [Intermediate Filaments](/mechanisms/intermediate-filaments)
• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
• [Neurofilament Proteins](/proteins/neurofilament-protein)
• [Astrocytes](/cell-types/astrocytes)

External Links

• [UniProt P08670](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/P08670)
• [PDB: Vimentin Structure](https://www.rcsb.org/molecule/P08670)
• [HGNC: VIM](https://www.genenames.org/data/hgnc_data.php?hgnc_id=12692)

References