PLEC

Plectin (PLEC), a high-molecular-weight cytoskeletal linker protein, serves as a critical intracellular crosslinker between intermediate filaments, microtubules, and actin microfilaments. Also known as hemidesmosomal protein 1 (HD1) or PLTN1, it stabilizes cellular architecture by anchoring organelles and protein complexes to the cytoskeleton. Mechanistically, plectin regulates mechanical stress resistance through its N-terminal actin-binding domain and C-terminal intermediate filament-binding domain. It participates in integrin-mediated signaling pathways and modulates Wnt/β-catenin cascades during tissue morphogenesis. Mutations in PLEC cause epidermolysis bullosa simplex with muscular dystrophy (EBS-MD), characterized by skin blistering and progressive muscle weakness. Aberrant plectin expression correlates with cancer metastasis, particularly in breast carcinoma and melanoma, through dysregulated cell-matrix adhesion. While no direct PLEC-targeted therapies exist, preclinical studies explore cytoskeleton-modulating agents like paclitaxel derivatives and integrin inhibitors to mitigate plectin-associated pathologies. Recent CRISPR-based screens highlight its potential as a biomarker for chemotherapy resistance in epithelial cancers.

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Recombinant Human Plectin (PLEC), partial