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In Vitro Aggregation Assays Using Hyperphosphorylated Tau Protein
Published on: January 2, 2015
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Tau Post-translational Modifications: Dynamic Transformers of Tau Function, Degradation, and Aggregation.
Carolina Alquezar1, Shruti Arya1, Aimee W Kao1
1Department of Neurology, Memory and Aging Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.
Frontiers in Neurology
|January 25, 2021
Summary
Post-translational modifications (PTMs) on tau impact its function and neurodegeneration. Understanding these diverse PTMs offers insights into tau homeostasis, crucial for aging and diseases like Alzheimer's disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Post-translational modifications (PTMs) critically influence tau protein function, homeostasis, and neurodegeneration.
- Aberrant tau phosphorylation is traditionally linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and tauopathies, but other PTMs are also involved.
- A comprehensive understanding of how various PTMs regulate tau in health and disease is still developing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the known functional impacts of diverse tau PTMs, including phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, and others.
- To classify tau PTMs based on their effects on protein localization, electrostatics, and stability.
- To assess the influence of tau PTMs on protein solubility and aggregation relevant to neurodegenerative diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating tau PTMs.
- Analysis of PTMs' roles in tau localization, protein interactions, and levels.
- Classification of PTMs based on biophysical properties and functional outcomes.
Main Results:
- PTMs dynamically regulate tau localization, interactions, stability, and clearance.
- Specific PTMs can influence the structure and propensity of tau aggregation.
- Neurons may actively and combinatorially control tau PTMs in response to cellular conditions.
Conclusions:
- PTMs are central to tau biology, actively remodeling its function, clearance, and aggregation.
- A holistic view of tau PTMs is essential for understanding neurodegenerative mechanisms.
- Further research into tau PTMs promises to advance therapeutic strategies for tauopathies.
Keywords:
acetylationglycationglycosylationmethylationphosphorylationproteolysissumoylationubiquitinationMore Related Videos
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