Tau belongs to the family of microtubule-associated proteins predominantly expressed in neurons where they play an important role in promoting microtubule assembly and stabilizing microtubules. In addition, tau proteins interact with other cytoskeletal elements to allow spacing between microtubules. Recent studies have shown that tau is also actively involved in regulating cell viability and activity. Translated from a single gene located on chromosome 17q21, six isoforms of tau are produced by alternative splicing in adult human brain. Due to multiple post-translational modifications, heterogeneous tau species with a wide range of apparent molecular masses have been observed by denaturing polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Since tau gene mutations and abnormal post-translational modifications have been detected in over 20 neurodegenerative disorders, namely the tauopathies, tau has gained widespread attention as a target protein in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. In the present chapter, research progress regarding physiology and pathology of tau is reviewed, particularly in terms of the role of post-translational modification.
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August 2014
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Review Article|
August 18 2014
The physiology and pathology of microtubule-associated protein tau
Jian-Zhi Wang;
Jian-Zhi Wang
1
Pathophysiology Department, Key Laboratory of Ministry of the People's Republic of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, P.R. China
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email wangjz@mails.tjmu.edu.cn).
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Xinya Gao;
Xinya Gao
Pathophysiology Department, Key Laboratory of Ministry of the People's Republic of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, P.R. China
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Zhi-Hao Wang
Zhi-Hao Wang
Pathophysiology Department, Key Laboratory of Ministry of the People's Republic of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, P.R. China
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Online ISSN: 1744-1358
Print ISSN: 0071-1365
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2014 Biochemical Society
2014
Essays Biochem (2014) 56: 111–123.
Citation
Sarah Perrett, Jian-Zhi Wang, Xinya Gao, Zhi-Hao Wang; The physiology and pathology of microtubule-associated protein tau. Essays Biochem 18 August 2014; 56 111–123. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bse0560111
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