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Updated: May 20, 2026
12:55
Assay for Phosphorylation and Microtubule Binding Along with Localization of Tau Protein in Colorectal Cancer Cells
Published on: October 10, 2017
Looking for novel functions of tau
Jesus Avila1, Elena Gomez de Barreda, Almudena Fuster-Matanzo
1Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain. javila@cbm.uam.es
Biochemical Society Transactions
|July 24, 2012
Summary
The protein tau is vital for neuron health; its absence hinders development, while excess tau is toxic. Secretion via microvesicles or cell death releases extracellular tau, potentially spreading neurodegenerative pathology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Protein Biochemistry
Background:
- The protein tau plays a critical role in neuronal function.
- Both tau deficiency and overexpression can negatively impact neurons.
- Extracellular tau is implicated in neurodegenerative disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dual role of tau protein in neuronal health and disease.
- To explore mechanisms of tau secretion and its extracellular presence.
- To understand how extracellular tau may contribute to the spread of pathology.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of tau protein levels in neurons.
- Investigation of tau secretion pathways, including microvesicles.
- Examination of tau presence in extracellular space under various conditions.
- Correlation of extracellular tau with neurodegenerative processes.
Main Results:
- Tau deficiency can impair neurogenesis and differentiation, though compensatory mechanisms exist.
- Overexpression of tau leads to cellular toxicity.
- Neurons can reduce intracellular tau by secreting it into the extracellular space via microvesicles.
- Neuronal cell death releases tau, contributing to its extracellular accumulation in diseases like Alzheimer's.
Conclusions:
- Tau's concentration is critical for neuronal homeostasis.
- Extracellular tau, originating from secretion or cell death, may act as a mediator for tau pathology propagation in neurodegenerative disorders.
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