On the Microtubule-Stabilizing Properties of a Tau Oligopeptide

J Chem Inf Model. 2021 Nov 22;61(11):5682-5691. doi: 10.1021/acs.jcim.1c00955. Epub 2021 Nov 3.

Abstract

Preserving the integrity of neuronal microtubules (MTs) has emerged as a promising strategy to inhibit the progression of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Such a goal could be achieved by peptides that mimic the functional role of Tau, an MT-associated protein that stabilizes MTs by dynamically binding to their outer surface. This work examines the binding properties and MT-stabilizing potential of a 27-amino acid Tau oligopeptide from 300 ns Gaussian-accelerated molecular dynamics simulations and Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area (MM/GBSA) calculations on octameric MT models bound to two equivalent and independent Tau peptides. Bound peptides adopted extended conformations that are highly consistent with cryo-electron microscopy reports for full-length Tau bound to MTs. Anchoring points in three consecutive tubulin subunits were identified, with a relevant contribution of the Ser419-Val435 region to α-tubulin. Tau peptides strengthen the longitudinal protein-protein contacts within the MT lattice and exert a cooperative MT-stabilizing effect in MT complexes simultaneously bonded to taxol or peloruside A. Ser phosphorylation results in a larger peptide mobility, altered interaction profiles, and MT destabilization, which are in line with the loss of MT integrity resulting from the post-translational hyperphosphorylation of Tau. Our results shed light on the MT-stabilizing potential of Tau-mimetic peptides to act as novel neuroprotective agents targeting MTs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cryoelectron Microscopy
  • Microtubules*
  • Oligopeptides
  • Paclitaxel / pharmacology
  • Tubulin*

Substances

  • Oligopeptides
  • Tubulin
  • Paclitaxel