Which cytoskeletal element is linked to desmosomes?

• A. Microtubules
• B. Actin filaments
• C. Intermediate filaments (keratin)
• D. Myosin filaments

Answer: (C)

Desmosomes anchor the cytoskeleton of neighboring cells, providing mechanical strength to tissues under stress. They connect to intermediate filaments, which in epithelial cells are keratin filaments, through desmosomal plaque proteins linked to desmoglein and desmocollin cadherins. This keratin network spreads tensile forces across cells, helping resist tearing. Microtubules aren’t the main link for desmosomes and are more about vesicle transport and cell organization. Actin filaments connect to other junctions, like adherens junctions, via different cadherin–catenin complexes. Myosin is a motor protein that moves along actin. So the cytoskeletal element tied to desmosomes is intermediate filaments, specifically keratin in epithelial tissue.