Boronate-tau mediated uptake in neurons

J Alzheimers Dis. 2014;40(1):143-51. doi: 10.3233/JAD-131655.

Abstract

We modified tau protein with boronic acid to facilitate its delivery into non neural or neural cultured cells lacking tau protein. Our results indicate that the incorporated tau promotes the formation of cytoplasmic extensions in non-neuronal cells, as well as the appearance of neurites in cultured tau knockout hippocampal neurons. In addition, boronated tau is incorporated into hippocampal neurons of tau knockout mice after intracranial injection in vivo. These findings describe a novel method to deliver exogenous tau protein into cells.

Keywords: Boronic acid; protein delivery; tau protein.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Boron Compounds / metabolism
  • Boron Compounds / pharmacology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Hippocampus / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neurites / metabolism
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neurons / ultrastructure
  • Tetrahydronaphthalenes / metabolism
  • Tetrahydronaphthalenes / pharmacology
  • Tubulin / metabolism
  • tau Proteins / genetics
  • tau Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Boron Compounds
  • Tetrahydronaphthalenes
  • Tubulin
  • tau Proteins
  • U 23469-boronated