Association of acetylated microtubules, vimentin intermediate filaments, and MAP 2 during early neural differentiation in EC cell culture

Pluripotent P19 embryonal carcinoma cell cultures can be induced to differentiate into neurons and glial cells by the addition of 10(-6) M retinoic acid. During early neural differentiation, a bundle of colchicine-stable, acetylated microtubules is formed. This acetylated microtubule array apparently extends to form neurites during neurogenesis. In this paper, we analyze changes in vimentin and MAP 2 distributions during neural differentiation with respect to the changes in the acetylated microtubule array. During a brief period early in differentiation, indirect immunofluorescence staining shows the colocalization of colchicine-stable acetylated microtubules, vimentin, and MAP 2. Using acrylamide to disrupt the organization of vimentin intermediate filaments and estramustine to disrupt the binding of MAP 2 to microtubules, we show that acetylated microtubules, MAP 2, and vimentin intermediate filaments are arranged in an interdependent cytoskeletal array. We suggest this array may serve to stabilize processes in neural stem cells, before the final decision to differentiate into neurons or glia is made.     

Acrylamide inhibits gravitropism and affects microtubules in rice coleoptiles

Summary. To find components which participate in gravitropic signal transmission, we screened different cell biological inhibitors for their effect on gravitropic bending of rice coleoptiles. Acrylamide, which is known to affect intermediate filaments in mammalian cells, strongly inhibited gravitropic bending at concentrations that did not inhibit growth of coleoptile segments. This inhibition was reversible. Investigating the acrylamide effect further, we found that it interferes with an event that occurs around 15 min after the onset of stimulation. We also observed that acrylamide inhibits polar indolyl-3-acetic acid transport. Furthermore, acrylamide efficiently eliminated microtubules, whereas actin filaments remained intact. To our knowledge this is the first report of effects of monoacrylamide in plant cells. Correspondence and reprints (present address): Laboratoire de Génétique Végétale, Sciences III, Université de Genève, 30 Quai Ernest-Ansermet, 1211 Genève, Switzerland.     

Endothelial microtubules as integral part of the mechanism controlling the level of stimulated secretion of van Willebrand factor

We used double immunofluorescence and electron microscopy to study the spatial relationships between Weibel--Palade bodies (WPBs) and cytoskeletal elements in endothelial cells treated with thrombin or cytoskeleton-damaging agents. We have found that some WPBs undergo translocation towards the centrosome in 5 min in the cells treated with thrombin, cytochalasin B or calyculin A. The cells treated with thrombin or cytochalasin exhibit depletion of WPBs, whereas WPBs found at the cell periphery were colocalized with intermediate filaments. There was a precise colocalization observed between the WPBs and microtubules in the calyculin-treated cells in which all WPBs undergo centrosome-directed translocation within 15 min after the agent addition. When vimentin filaments were induced to collapse by demecolcine, intermediate filaments and WPBs both translocated to the perinuclear region. The data provide the first direct evidence that secretory granules utilize microtubules to move in retrograde direction, i.e., away from the plasma membrane, towards the centrosome. We suggest that anterograde movement of WPBs is dependent on their interaction with vimentin filaments.     

Taxol induces concomitant hyperphosphorylation and reorganization of vimentin intermediate filaments in 9l rat brain tumor cells

Taxol, a microtubule stabilizing agent, has been extensively investigated for its antitumor activity. The cytotoxic effect of taxol is generally attributed to its antimicrotubule activity and is believed to be cell cycle dependent. Herein, we report that taxol induces hyperphosphorylation and reorganization of the vimentin intermediate filament in 9L rat brain tumor cells, in concentration- and time-dependent manner. Phosphorylation of vimentin was maximum at 10⁻⁶ M of taxol treatment for 8 h and diminished at higher (10⁻⁵ M) concentration. Enhanced phosphorylation of vimentin was detectable at 2 h treatment with 10⁻⁶ M taxol and was maximum after 12 h of treatment. Taxol-induced phosphorylation of vimentin was largely abolished in cells pretreated with staurosporine and bisindolymaleimide but was unaffected by H-89, KT-5926, SB203580, genistein, and olomoucine. Thus, protein kinase C may be involved in this process. Hyperphosphorylation of vimentin was accompanied by rounding up of cells as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, there was a concomitant reorganization of the vimentin intermediate filament in the taxol-treated cells, whereas the microtubules and the actin microfilaments were less affected. Taken together, our data demonstrate that taxol induces hyperphosphorylation of vimentin with concomitant reorganization of the vimentin intermediate filament and that this process may be mediated via a protein kinase C signaling pathway. J. Cell Biochem. 68:472–483, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Microinjection of monoclonal antibodies specific for one intermediate filament protein in cells containing multiple keratins allow insight into the composition of particular 10 nm filaments

Monoclonal antibodies specific for vimentin (V9), keratin 7 (CK 7) and keratin 18 (CK5) have been microinjected into three human epithelial cell lines: HeLa, MCF-7 and RT-4. The effect of the injection on other keratin polypeptides and vimentin filaments has been observed by double label immunofluorescence and in some instances by immunoelectron microscopy using gold labels of different sizes. Microinjection of V9 into HeLa cells causes the vimentin to collapse into a perinuclear cap leaving the keratin filaments unaffected. Injection of CK5 does not affect the vimentin filaments but disrupts the keratin filaments revealing keratin aggregates similar to those seen in some epithelial cell lines during mitosis. The keratin aggregates obtained after microinjection in HeLa contain the keratins 8 and 18 and probably also other keratins, as no residual keratin filaments are observed with a keratin polyclonal antibody of broad specificity. Aggregates in mitotic HeLa cells contain at least the keratins 7, 8, and 18. In MCF-7 cells keratins 8, 18, and 19 are observed in the aggregates seen 3 h after microinjection which, however, show a different morphology from those seen in HeLa cells. In MCF-7 cells a new keratin filament is built within 6 h after the injection which is composed mainly of keratin 8 and 19. The antibody-complexed keratin 18 remains in spherical aggregates of different size. The results suggest that in HeLa cells vimentin and keratin form independent networks, and that individual 10 nm filaments in epithelial cell lines can contain more than two keratins.     

The Association of Tau-Like Proteins with Vimentin Filaments in Cultured Cells

There is increasing evidence that the different polymers that constitute the cytoskeleton are interconnected to form a three-dimensional network. The macromolecular interaction patterns that stabilize this network and its intrinsic dynamics are the basis for numerous cellular processes. Within this context,in vitrostudies have pointed to the existence of specific associations between microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments. It has also been postulated that microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) are directly involved in mediating these interactions. The interactions of tau with vimentin filaments, and its relationships with other filaments of the cytoskeletal network, were analyzed in SW-13 adenocarcinoma cells, through an integrated approach that included biochemical and immunological studies. This cell line has the advantage of presenting a wild-type clone (vim+) and a mutant clone (vim−) which is deficient in vimentin expression. We analyzed the cellular roles of tau, focusing on its interactions with vimentin filaments, within the context of its functional aspects in the organization of the cytoskeletal network. Cosedimentation experiments of microtubular protein with vimentin in cell extracts enriched in intermediate filaments, combined with studies on the direct interaction of tau with nitrocellulose-bound vimentin and analysis of tau binding to vimentin immobilized in single-strand DNA affinity columns, indicate that tau interacts with the vimentin network. These studies were confirmed by a quantitative analysis of the immunofluorescence patterns of cytoskeleton-associated tubulin, tau, and vimentin using flow cytometry. In this regard, a decrease in the levels of tau associated to the cytoskeletal network in the vim− cell mutant compared with the wild-type clones was observed. However, immunofluorescence data on SW-13 cells suggest that the absence of a structured network of vimentin in the mutant vim− cells does not affect the cytoplasmic organization formed by microtubules and actin filaments, when compared with the wild-type vim+ cells. These studies suggest that tau associates with vimentin filaments and that these interactions may play a structural role in cells containing these filaments.     

The vacuolated morphology of chordoma cells is dependent on cytokeratin intermediate filaments

Notochordal cells (NCs), characterized by their vacuolated morphology and coexpression of cytokeratin and vimentin intermediate filaments (IFs), form the immature nucleus pulposus (NP) of the intervertebral disc. As humans age, NCs give way to mature NP cells, which do not possess a vacuolated morphology and typically only express vimentin IFs. In light of their concomitant loss, we investigated the relationship between cytosolic vacuoles and cytokeratin IFs, specifically those containing cytokeratin-8 proteins, using a human chordoma cell line as a model for NCs. We demonstrate that the chemical disruption of IFs with acrylamide, F-actin with cytochalasin-D, and microtubules with nocodazole all result in a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in vacuolation. However, vacuole loss was the greatest in acrylamide-treated cells. Examination of the individual roles of vimentin and cytokeratin-8 IFs in the existence of vacuoles was accomplished using small interfering RNA–mediated RNA interference to knock down either vimentin or cytokeratin-8 expression. Reduction of cytokeratin-8 expression was associated with a less-vacuolated cell morphology. These data demonstrate that cytokeratin-8 IFs are involved in stabilizing vacuoles and that their diminished expression could play a role in the loss of vacuolation in NCs during aging. A better understanding of the NCs may assist in preservation of this cell type for NP maintenance and regeneration.     

Confocal analysis of cytoskeletal organisation within isolated chondrocyte sub-populations cultured in agarose

This study reports the cytoskeletal organisation within chondrocytes, isolated from the superficial and deep zones of articular cartilage and seeded into agarose constructs. At day 0, marked organisation of actin microfilaments was not observed in cells from both zones. Partial or clearly organised microtubules and vimentin intermediate filaments cytoskeletal components were present, however, in a proportion of cells. Staining for microtubules and vimentin intermediate filaments was less marked after 1 day in culture however than on initial seeding. For all three cytoskeletal components there was a dramatic increase in organisation between days 3 and 14 and, in general, organisation was greater within deep zone cells. Clear organisation for actin microfilaments was characterised by a cortical network and punctate staining around the periphery of the cell, while microtubules and vimentin intermediate filaments formed an extensive fibrous network. Cytoskeletal organisation within chondrocytes in agarose appears, therefore, to be broadly similar to that described in situ. Variations in the organisation of actin microfilaments between chondrocytes cultured in agarose and in monolayer are consistent with a role in phenotypic modulation. Vimentin intermediate filaments and microtubules form a link between the plasma membrane and the nucleus and may play a role in the mechanotransduction process.     

Cytoskeletal dynamics in rabbit synovial fibroblasts: I. Effects of acrylamide on intermediate filaments and microfilaments

Rabbit synovial fibroblasts respond to changes in cell shape and cytoskeletal architecture by altering specific gene expression. We have tested the ability of acrylamide, a neurotoxin that alters the distribution of intermediate filaments in cultured PtK1 cells, to induce metalloprotease expression in synovial fibroblasts. Cells treated with 2-20 mM acrylamide for 5 to 24 h underwent shape changes similar to cells treated with the tumor promoter phorbol myristate acetate. Intermediate filaments visualized with anti-vimentin antibodies did not collapse into a perinuclear cap in these rounded cells, but were still present in the extended cell processes. Unexpectedly, when actin was visualized in acrylamide-treated cells, extensive dissociation and clumping of microfilaments was observed. Concentrations of acrylamide greater than 10 mM were cytotoxic, but cells recovered completely after 24 h incubation with 5 mM acrylamide. Like other agents that alter cell shape and actin distribution in synovial fibroblasts, acrylamide also induced expression of the secreted metalloprotease collagenase. Although some recent evidence suggests that acrylamide may be able to exert its collagenase-inducing effects extracellularly, perhaps through transmembrane matrix receptors, our observation that this neurotoxin dramatically alters protein synthesis in synovial fibroblasts suggests that direct effects on cell metabolism may also play a role in acute acrylamide intoxication.     

Fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus: an early apoptotic event independent of the cytoskeleton

The Golgi apparatus undergoes irreversible fragmentation during apoptosis, in part as a result of caspase-mediated cleavage of several Golgi-associated proteins. However, Golgi structure and orientation is also regulated by the cytoskeleton and cytoskeletal changes have been implicated in inducing apoptosis. Consequently, we have analyzed the role of actin filaments and microtubules in apoptotic Golgi fragmentation. We demonstrate that in Fas receptor-activated cells, fragmentation of the Golgi apparatus was an early event that coincided with release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. Significantly, Golgi fragmentation preceded major changes in the organization of both the actin cytoskeleton and microtubules. In staurosporine-treated cells, actin filament organization was rapidly disrupted; however, the Golgi apparatus maintained its juxtanuclear localization and underwent complete fragmentation only at later times. Attempts to stabilize actin filaments with jasplakinolide prior to treatment with staurosporine did not prevent Golgi fragmentation. Finally, in response to Fas receptor activation or staurosporine treatment the levels of beta-actin or alpha-tubulin remained unaltered, whereas several Golgi proteins, p115 and golgin-160, underwent caspase-mediated cleavage. Our data demonstrate that breakdown of the Golgi apparatus is an early event during apoptosis that occurs independently of major changes to the actin and tubulin cytoskeleton.     

Viscoelastic properties of vimentin compared with other filamentous biopolymer networks

The cytoplasm of vertebrate cells contains three distinct filamentous biopolymers, the microtubules, microfilaments, and intermediate filaments. The basic structural elements of these three filaments are linear polymers of the proteins tubulin, actin, and vimentin or another related intermediate filament protein, respectively. The viscoelastic properties of cytoplasmic filaments are likely to be relevant to their biologic function, because their extreme length and rodlike structure dominate the rheologic behavior of cytoplasm, and changes in their structure may cause gel-sol transitions observed when cells are activated or begin to move. This paper describes parallel measurements of the viscoelasticity of tubulin, actin, and vimentin polymers. The rheologic differences among the three types of cytoplasmic polymers suggest possible specialized roles for the different classes of filaments in vivo. Actin forms networks of highest rigidity that fluidize at high strains, consistent with a role in cell motility in which stable protrusions can deform rapidly in response to controlled filament rupture. Vimentin networks, which have not previously been studied by rheologic methods, exhibit some unusual viscoelastic properties not shared by actin or tubulin. They are less rigid (have lower shear moduli) at low strain but harden at high strains and resist breakage, suggesting they maintain cell integrity. The differences between F-actin and vimentin are optimal for the formation of a composite material with a range of properties that cannot be achieved by either polymer alone. Microtubules are unlikely to contribute significantly to interphase cell rheology alone, but may help stabilize the other networks.     

RhoA-Binding Kinase α Translocation Is Facilitated by the Collapse of the Vimentin Intermediate Filament Network

The regulation of morphological changes in eukaryotic cells is a complex process involving major components of the cytoskeleton including actin microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments (IFs). The putative effector of RhoA, RhoA-binding kinase α (ROKα), is a serine/threonine kinase that has been implicated in the reorganization of actin filaments and in myosin contractility. Here, we show that ROKα also directly affects the structural integrity of IFs. Overexpression of active ROKα, like that of RhoA, caused the collapse of filamentous vimentin, a type III IF. A RhoA-binding-deficient, kinase-inactive ROKα inhibited the collapse of vimentin IFs induced by RhoA in HeLa cells. In vitro, ROKα bound and phosphorylated vimentin at its head-rod domain, thereby inhibiting the assembly of vimentin. ROKα colocalized predominantly with the filamentous vimentin network, which remained intact in serum-starved cells. Treatment of cells with vinblastine, a microtubule-disrupting agent, also resulted in filamentous vimentin collapse and concomitant ROKα translocation to the cell periphery. ROKα translocation did not occur when the vimentin network remained intact in vinblastine-treated cells at 4°C or in the presence of the dominant-negative RhoAN19 mutant. Transient translocation of ROKα was also observed in cells subjected to heat shock, which caused the disassembly of the vimentin network. Thus, the translocation of ROKα to the cell periphery upon overexpression of RhoAV14 or growth factor treatment is associated with disassembly of vimentin IFs. These results indicate that Rho effectors known to act on microfilaments may be involved in regulating the assembly of IFs. Vimentin when phosphorylated also exhibits reduced affinity for the inactive ROKα. The translocation of ROKα from IFs to the cell periphery upon action by activated RhoA and ROKα suggests that ROKα may initiate its own cascade of activation.     

Role of microtubules and intermediate filaments in maintaining the shape of epithelial cells

The role of microtubules and intermediate filaments in control of cell shape of cultured cells of hepatomas McA-RH-7777 and 27 was investigated. Indirect immunofluorescence with specific polyclonal antibodies against tubulin and monoclonal antibodies against prekeratin with molecular weight 49 kD and vimentin was used. Incubation of cells in colcemid, resulting in specific distribution of microtubules did not change either prekeratin or vimentin distribution in cells of both the hepatomas, but reversed polarization of elongated McA-RH-7777 cells. These data suggest that the effect of disruption of microtubular system on the cell shape is not mediated by alterations of intermediate filaments.     

Centrosome-directed translocation of Weibel-Palade bodies is rapidly induced by thrombin, calyculin A, or cytochalasin B in human aortic endothelial cells

To examine the possible role of the cytoskeleton in exocytosis of Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs), we used double immunofluorescence and electron microscopy to study the spatial relationships between WPBs and main cytoskeletal elements in endothelial cells treated with secretagogue, such as thrombin, or cytoskeleton-damaging agents. Unexpectedly, we have found that WPBs undergo rapid translocation towards the centrosome both in cells treated with thrombin and in those treated with cytochalasin B or calyculin A. Typically, 3 or 5 min after agent addition compact cluster of WPBs became visible near the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) in most endothelial cells in which a fivefold increase in WPBs localized in close proximity to the mother centriole had been detected. In both thrombin- and cytochalasin-treated cells that exhibit a noticeable depletion in WPBs compared to control cells, WPBs located at the cell periphery were found to colocalize with vimentin intermediate filaments, but not with microtubules. In contrast, there was precise colocalization observed between WPBs and microtubules in calyculin-treated cells in which all WPBs undergo centrosome-directed translocation within 15 min after the agent addition. When vimentin filaments were induced to collapse to a perinuclear location by the microtubule-disrupting agent demecolcine, WPBs also translocated to the perinuclear region, where numerous WPBs were found to be localized within the bundles of intermediate-sized filaments. The data provide the first direct evidence that secretory granules utilize microtubule-based transport system to move in retrograde direction, i.e., away from the plasma membrane, towards the centrosome. We suggest that anterograde movement of WPBs is primarily dependent on their interaction with vimentin intermediate filaments.     

Expression of desmin cDNA in PtK2 cells results in assembly of desmin filaments from multiple sites throughout the cytoplasm.

The assembly of intermediate filaments into a cytoplasmic network was studied by microinjecting into the nuclei and cytoplasms of PtK2 cells, plasmids that contained a full length desmin cDNA and an RSV promoter. Immunofluorescence was used to monitor the expression of desmin and its integration into the cells' vimentin intermediate filament network. We found that the expressed desmin co-localized with filaments of vimentin just as it does with fluorescently labelled desmin is microinjected into the cytoplasm of PtK2 cells. As early as two hours after microinjection of the plasmids, small discrete dots and short fragments of desmin could be detected throughout the cytoplasm of the cells. This initial distribution of desmin was superimposed on the filamentous pattern of vimentin in the cells. At 8 hours after microinjection of the plasmids, some of the desmin was present in long filaments that were coincident with vimentin filaments. By 18 hours, most of the desmin was in a filamentous network co-localizing with vimentin. There was no indication that desmin assembly began in the perinuclear region and proceeded toward the cell periphery. In some cells, excessively high levels of desmin were expressed. In these cases, overexpression led to clumping of desmin filaments as well as to an accumulation of diffusely distributed desmin protein in the center of the cells. This effect was apparent at approximately 18 hours after introduction of the plasmid. The native vimentin filaments in such cells were also aggregated around the nucleus, co-localizing with desmin. The microtubule networks in all injected cells appeared normal; microtubules were extended in typical arrays out to the periphery of the cells.     

Interrelationships of endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, intermediate filaments, and microtubules--a quadruple fluorescence labeling study.

To study the interrelationships of endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, intermediate filaments, and microtubules, we have developed a quadruple fluorescence labeling procedure to visualize all four structures in the same cell. We applied this approach to study cellular organization in control cells and in cells treated with the microtubule drugs vinblastine or taxol. Endoplasmic reticulum was visualized by staining glutaraldehyde-fixed cells with the dye 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide. After detergent permeabilization, triple immunofluorescence was carried out to specifically visualize mitochondria, vimentin intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Mitochondria in human fibroblasts were found to be highly elongated tubular structures (lengths up to greater than 50 microns), which in many cases were apparently fused to each other. Mitochondria were always observed to be associated with endoplasmic reticulum, although endoplasmic reticulum also existed independently. Intermediate filament distribution could not completely account for endoplasmic reticulum or mitochondrial distributions. Microtubules, however, always codistributed with these organelles. Microtubule depolymerization in vinblastine treated cells resulted in coaggregation of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, and in the collapse of intermediate filaments. The spatial distributions of organelles compared with intermediate filaments were not identical, indicating that attachment of organelles to intermediate filaments was not responsible for organelle aggregation. Mitochondrial associations with endoplasmic reticulum, on the other hand, were retained, indicating this association was stable regardless of endoplasmic reticulum form or microtubules. In taxol-treated cells, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and intermediate filaments were all associated with taxol-stabilized microtubule bundles.     

Reorganization of endothelial cells cytoskeleton during formation of functional monolayer in vitro

Endothelium lining the inner surface of vessels regulates permeability of vascular wall by providing exchange between blood circulation in vessels and tissue fluid and therefore performs a barrier function. Endothelial cells (ECs) in culture are able to maintain the barrier function peculiar to cells of vascular endothelium in vivo. The endothelial monolayer in vitro is a unique model system that allows studying interaction of cytoskeletal and adhesive structures of endotheliocytes from the earliest stages of its formation. In the present work, we described and quantitatively characterized the changes of EC cytoskeleton from the moment of spreading of endotheliocytes on glass and the formation of the first contacts between neighbor cells until formation of a functional confluent monolayer. The main type of intermediate filaments of ECs are vimentin filaments. At different stages of endothelial monolayer formation, disposition of vimentin filaments and their amount do not change essentially, they occupy more than 80% of the cell area. Actin filaments system of endotheliocytes is represented by cortical actin at the cell periphery and by bundles of actin stress fibers organized in parallel. With formation of contacts between cells in native endothelial cells, the number of actin filaments rises and thickness of their bundles increases. With formation of endothelial monolayer, there are also changes in the microtubules system—their number increases at the cell edge. At all stages of EC monolayer formation, the number of microtubules in the region of the already formed intercellular contacts exceeds the number of microtubules in the free lamella region of the cell.     

De novo synthesis and specific assembly of keratin filaments in nonepithelial cells after microinjection of mRNA for epidermal keratin

Poly(A)+ RNA isolated from bovine muzzle epidermis was microinjected into nonepithelial cells containing only intermediate-sized filaments of the vimentin type. In recipient cells keratin polypeptides are synthesized and assemble into intermediate-sized filaments at multiple dispersed sites. We describe the time course and the pattern of de novo assembly of keratin filaments within living cells. These filaments were indistinguishable, by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopic criteria, from keratin filament arrays present in true epithelial cells. The presence of extended keratin fibril meshworks in these injected cells is compatible with cell growth and mitosis. Double immunolabeling revealed that newly assembled keratin was not codistributed with microfilament bundles, microtubules or vimentin filaments. We suggest that assembly mechanisms exist which in vivo sort out newly synthesized cytokeratin polypeptides from vimentin.     

Antibodies as probes of cellular differentiation and cytoskeletal organization in the mouse blastocyst

Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy has been used to detect cytoskeletal proteins, which allow a distinction between the two cell types present in the mouse blastocyst: i.e. the cells of the inner cell mass (ICM) and the outer trophoblastic cells. Antibodies against three classes of intermediate-sized filaments (cytokeratins, desmin and vimentin), as well as antibodies against actin and tubulin were studied. Antibodies against prekeratin stain the outer trophoblastic cells but not the ICM in agreement with the findings on adult tissues that cytokeratins are a marker for various epithelial cells. Interestingly, vimentin filaments typical of mesenchymal cells as well as of cells growing in culture seem to be absent in both cell types of the blastocyst. Thus, the cytokeratins of the trophoblastic cells seem to be the first intermediate-sized filaments expressed in embryogenesis. Antibodies to tubulin and actin show that microtubules and microfilaments are ubiquitous structures, although microfilaments have a noticeably different organization in the two cell types. In addition, since early embryogenic multipotential cells show close similarities to teratocarcinomic cells, a comparison is made between the cells of the blastocyst, embryonal carcinoma cells (EC cells) and an epithelial endodermal cell line (PYS2 cells) derived from EC cells. EC cells display vimentin filaments whereas PYS2 cells show both vimentin and cytokeratin filaments. The results emphasize the usefulness of antibodies specific for different classes of intermediate filaments in further embryological studies, and suggest that cells of the blastocyst and EC cells differ with respect to vimentin filaments.