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The tau proteins in neuronal growth and development
1Institute of Neurobiology, University of Heidelberg, INF 364, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. brandt@sun0.urz.uni-heidelberg.de
Frontiers in Bioscience : a Journal and Virtual Library
|August 1, 1996
Summary
The microtubule-associated protein tau (tau) is crucial for neuronal development and axon formation. Despite its known functions, tau knockout mice show normal neuronal development, questioning tau
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- The neuronal microtubule-associated protein tau (tau) is implicated in neural process outgrowth and polarity.
- In vitro, tau promotes microtubule assembly, stabilization, and dynamic behavior.
- Antisense studies suggest tau is essential for axon development in cultured neurons.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the function of tau in microtubule assembly and stabilization.
- To discuss the role of tau in neuronal polarity development.
- To summarize recent findings on tau functions beyond microtubule assembly.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of in vitro and in vivo studies.
- Analysis of data from tau knockout mouse models.
- Examination of antisense experiments in cultured neurons.
Main Results:
- Tau promotes microtubule assembly and stabilization in vitro.
- Antisense experiments indicate tau's essential role in axon development.
- Tau knockout mice exhibit largely normal neuronal structure and function, challenging the necessity of tau.
Conclusions:
- Tau's direct role in neuronal development, particularly in knockout models, requires further investigation.
- Tau's functions may extend beyond its known effects on microtubule dynamics.
- The essentiality of tau for neuronal development remains an open question.