Tau aggregation in Alzheimer's disease: what role for phosphorylation?

Prion. 2007 Jan-Mar;1(1):21-5. doi: 10.4161/pri.1.1.4055. Epub 2007 Jan 23.

Abstract

The crucial role of the neuronal Tau protein in microtubule stabilization and axonal transport suggests that too little or too much Tau might lead to neuronal dysfunction. The presence of a hyper phosphorylated but non aggregated molecule as a toxic species that might sequester normal Tau is discussed. We present recent in vitro results that might allow us to dissect the role of individual phosphorylation sites on its structure and function. We also discuss in this review the role of phosphorylation for the aggregation of the neuronal Tau protein, and compare it to the aggregation induced by external poly anions.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Animals
  • Axons / metabolism*
  • Axons / pathology
  • Humans
  • Microtubules / chemistry
  • Microtubules / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Structure, Quaternary
  • Protein Transport
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • tau Proteins / chemistry
  • tau Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • MAPT protein, human
  • tau Proteins