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Updated: Aug 5, 2026

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In Vitro Aggregation Assays Using Hyperphosphorylated Tau Protein
Published on: January 2, 2015
Human chaperone DNAJB6b suppresses tau fibril formation through co-aggregation
Andreas Carlsson1, Emil Axell2, Johan Wallerstein3
1Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. andreas.carlsson@chem.lu.se.
Communications Chemistry
|August 3, 2026
Summary
DNAJB6b protein significantly inhibits tau aggregation, a key factor in Alzheimer's disease pathology. It achieves this by binding to tau aggregates and fibrils, reducing their growth and increasing tau solubility.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology involves tau protein aggregation into neurofibrillary tangles.
- Molecular chaperones, including DNAJB6b, are part of the endogenous defense against protein aggregation.
- DNAJB6b is recognized as a crucial component in mitigating tau pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of DNAJB6b on the formation of tau fibrils.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which DNAJB6b influences tau aggregation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a tau model system (tau fragment 304-380C322S) representing the amyloidogenic core of AD fibrils.
- Employed solution-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to analyze molecular interactions.
Main Results:
- DNAJB6b potently delays tau aggregation by co-assembling with small tau aggregates.
- DNAJB6b binds to mature tau fibrils, hindering their ability to catalyze further growth.
- NMR confirmed no interaction between DNAJB6b and tau monomers, suggesting specific binding to aggregates/fibrils.
- Observed a significantly reduced fibril formation rate and lower final fibril mass, indicating increased tau solubility.
Conclusions:
- DNAJB6b acts as a potent inhibitor of tau aggregation, a critical process in Alzheimer's disease.
- The mechanism involves DNAJB6b's interaction with tau aggregates and fibrils, not monomers.
- DNAJB6b enhances tau solubility, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease.
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