Intrinsic aggregation and propagation of unmodified tau peptides: R2R3 as a minimal model system

Tau aggregation into neurofibrillary tangles is a defining feature of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. Although aggregation depends largely on specific amyloidogenic motifs (particularly VQIINK and VQIVYK) in repeated regions of tau microtubule-binding domains, how the primary sequence of adjacent repeats intrinsically influences aggregation and prion-like propagation remains unclear. This study systematically characterized three unmodified, physiologically relevant tau peptide constructs-R1R3, R2R3, and R3R4-to define their intrinsic aggregation kinetics, structural features, and prion-like seeding activity. Among these constructs, we found that R2R3 showed rapid aggregation, distinct β-sheet formation, and potent seeding capable of sustained secondary propagation in cellular biosensor assays. Whereas recent studies have highlighted chemically modified peptides (e.g., acetylated and phosphomimic peptides), our study emphasizes the importance of native, unmodified sequences as fundamental determinants in tau aggregation. Furthermore, these findings establish R2R3 as a robust minimal tau model, providing a valuable tool for mechanistic research and therapeutic screening in tau-related neurodegeneration.