Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026

09:12
Modulation of Tau Subcellular Localization as a Tool to Investigate the Expression of Disease-related Genes
Published on: December 20, 2019
Similarities and differences between tau protein and chromobindin A
H Sternberg1, J Baudier, K Akizuki
1Department of Physiology-Anatomy, Charlottesville, VA 22908, U.S.A.
Neurochemistry International
|May 27, 2010
Summary
Tau protein and Chromobindin A share similarities like aggregation and molecular weight, but are distinct. Immunological and phosphorylation studies confirm their unique identities, despite some shared characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Tau protein and Chromobindin A are protein families with shared characteristics.
- Both protein groups can form aggregates and exhibit similar molecular weights and isoelectric points.
- Evidence suggests potential phospholipid interactions for both Tau protein and Chromobindin A.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the similarities and differences between Tau protein and Chromobindin A.
- To determine the immunological distinctness of Tau protein and Chromobindin A.
- To assess the specificity of protein kinases towards Tau protein and Chromobindin A.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of protein properties (molecular weight, isoelectric point).
- Immunological assays using rabbit antisera to assess cross-reactivity.
- In vitro phosphorylation studies using protein kinase C and Ca/Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II.
Main Results:
- Tau protein and Chromobindin A share physical properties and can aggregate.
- Both proteins are found in the adrenal medulla and may interact with phospholipids.
- Immunological assays showed no cross-reactivity between Tau protein and Chromobindin A.
- Specific kinases phosphorylated Tau protein but not Chromobindin A.
Conclusions:
- Tau protein and Chromobindin A are unique and immunologically distinct protein classes.
- Kinase specificity confirms the unique nature of Tau protein phosphorylation.
- Despite shared features, Tau protein and Chromobindin A represent separate biological entities.
Related Concept Videos
Kendall's Tau Test
Kendall's tau test, also known as the Kendall rank coefficient test, is a nonparametric method for assessing association between two variables. This test is particularly useful for identifying significant correlations when the distributions of the sample and population are unknown. Developed in 1938 by the British statistician Sir Maurice George Kendall, the tau coefficient (denoted as τ) serves as a rank correlation coefficient, with values ranging from -1 to +1.
A τ value of +1 indicates that...
A τ value of +1 indicates that...
Polytene Chromosomes
Polytene chromosomes are giant interphase chromosomes with several DNA strands placed side by side. They were discovered in the year 1881 by Balbiani in salivary glands, intestine, muscles, malpighian tubules, and hypoderm of larvae Chironomus plumosus. Hence, these are also called "Salivary gland chromosomes." These are found in insects of the order Diptera and Collembola; in certain organs of mammals; and synergids, antipodes of flowering plants. Polytene chromosomes are also regularly...
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation- ChIP
Chromatin immunoprecipitation, or ChIP, is an antibody-based technique used to identify sites on DNA that bind to transcription factors of interest or histone proteins. It also helps determine the type of histone modifications such as acetylation, phosphorylation, or methylation.
Types of ChIP
ChIP can be divided into two types - X-ChIP and N-ChIP. X-ChIP involves in vivo cross-linking of histones and regulatory proteins to DNA, fragmenting the DNA by sonication, and isolating the protein-DNA...
Types of ChIP
ChIP can be divided into two types - X-ChIP and N-ChIP. X-ChIP involves in vivo cross-linking of histones and regulatory proteins to DNA, fragmenting the DNA by sonication, and isolating the protein-DNA...
Cytoskeletal Proteins in Bacteria
Bacterial cells were initially considered simple, randomly organized structures lacking a cytoskeleton. However, the discovery of cytoskeleton homologs in bacteria led to the change of this opinion. Bacterial cytoskeletal filaments regulate the cell shape, cell polarity, cell division, and partitioning of plasmids during cell division. It was later discovered that bacterial cytoskeletal proteins, mainly actin and tubulin homologs, are diverse compared to their eukaryotic counterparts. On the...
Attachment of Sister Chromatids
As cells progress into mitosis, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the condensed chromosomes are exposed to the array of bipolar microtubules of the mitotic spindle. The kinetochore, a large, disc-shaped protein complex, is present at the centromere region of the sister chromatids and acts as a binding site for the microtubules. Usually, the plus-end of a single microtubule is embedded within the kinetochore. However, some kinetochores first establish lateral contact with the side-wall of a...
Condensins
Condensins are large protein complexes that use ATP to fuel the assembly of chromosomes during mitosis. They transform the tangled, shapeless mass of post-interphase DNA into individualized chromosomes by compacting, organizing, and segregating chromosomal DNA.
The plant and animal cells contain two types of condensin complexes—condensin I and condensin II. Both complexes have five subunits: two SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) subunits, a kleisin subunit, and two HEAT-repeat...
The plant and animal cells contain two types of condensin complexes—condensin I and condensin II. Both complexes have five subunits: two SMC (Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes) subunits, a kleisin subunit, and two HEAT-repeat...

