Filaments play crucial roles in normal cellular functions, and their dysfunction can lead to various diseases. For instance, mutations in keratin genes can result in skin disorders such as epidermolysis bullosa, characterized by fragile skin that easily blisters. Similarly, defects in microtubule-associated proteins can lead to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, where abnormal tau protein aggregation disrupts normal microtubule function.
