Interactions Between α-Synuclein and Tau Protein: Implications to Neurodegenerative Disorders

Tau and α-Synuclein (α-Syn) are abundant brain proteins with distinct biological functions. Findings suggest that interactions between α-Syn and tau at the cellular level cause disruption of cytoskeletal organization, axonal transport defects, and aberrant synaptic organization. The ability of tau and α-Syn to affect each other directly or indirectly might contribute to the overlap in the clinical and pathological features of tauopathies and synucleinopathies. The interactions between α-Syn and tau, and the underlying molecular pathogenic mechanisms, including induction and spread of protein aggregates, still deserve further investigation.