(Digital Presentation) Bioelectrochemistry of Neuronal Tau Protein

Abstract

Tau is a neuronal protein and one of the biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Tau protein undergoes post-translational modifications, aggregation, and is a viable drug target. In addition, this protein is a vital biomarker in biological fluids towards early detection of neurodegenerative diseases. We reported on using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry for detection of protein-protein interactions (1), protein-ligand interactions (2), enzymatic catalysis and enzyme inhibition (3) while focusing on tau protein and its biochemistry. For example, tau-tau, tau-ferritin, tau-transferrin protein interactions were monitored, and protein kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation of tau protein was detected. The phosphorylation inhibitors, such as antibodies, were screened for their efficacy. Bioelectrochemical methodologies were used to gain insight into various facets of protein biochemistry, and represent promising tools in neuroscience research. References A) Carlin, N., Martic-Milne, S. (2018). Anti-tau antibodies based electrochemical sensor for detection of tau protein. J. Electrochem. Soc.165: G3018-G3025. B) Jahshan, A., Esteves, J.O.V., Martic-Milne, S. (2016). Evaluation of ferritin and transferrin binding to tau protein. J. Inorg. Biochem. 162: 127-134. C) Esteves, J.O.V., Trzeciakiewicz, H., Loeffler, D.A., Martic, S. (2015). Effects of tau domain-specific antibodies and intravenous immunoglobulin on tau aggregation and aggregate degradation. Biochemistry. 54: 15-18.Trzeciakiewicz, H., Esteves, J.O.V., Carlin, N., Martic, S. (2015). Electrochemistry of heparin binding to tau protein on Au surfaces. Electrochim. Acta. 162: 24-30,Esteves, J.O.V., Martic-Milne, S. (2016). Electrochemical detection of anti-tau antibodies binding to tau protein and inhibition of GSK-3-β-catalyzed phosphorylation. Anal. Biochem. 496: 55-62