Factors of Cell Degeneration or Death caused by Mutant Tau Protein

O Mikiko,T Zhu,M Anpo,A Sharifi

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202127103037

O Mikiko, T Zhu + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202127103037

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Abstract

Tau protein is a microtubule associated protein mainly expressed in neurons. Under pathological conditions, Tau protein is abnormally hyperphosphorylated and separated from microtubules. Abnormal Tau aggregates form nerve fiber tangles, which are insoluble aggregates in the brain. It is due to the microtubule rupture caused by Tau protein dysfunction and it is associated with neurofibrillar degeneration in Alzheimer's disease.This paper studies several reports and research on the structure and function of Tau protein, the role of Tau protein in pathological diseases and its relationship with neurodegenerative diseases. This paper concludes that Tau protein has undergone abnormal modification and aggregation in many neurodegenerative diseases, but the specific type of Tau protein that causes neurotoxicity, as well as the pathogenesis of its phosphorylation and functional injury inducing nerve apoptosis, are still not fully understood. Various abnormal modifications of Tau protein occur under pathological conditions, and fatal cascade events occur at different stages of neuron apoptosis. Therefore, the causes and effects of cytotoxicity mediated by Tau protein are very complicated. Different or even opposite conclusions are sometimes drawn in Tau protein-mediated neurodegeneration studies. This may be due to differences in Tau protein type, gene mutation and protein expression level.

Highlights

Tau protein is a microtubule-associated protein, which is mainly expressed in neurons
Neurofibrillary tangles are a pathological feature of a variety of nervous system diseases, of which Alzheimer's disease is the most common
Tau protein in many neurodegenerative diseases has undergone abnormal modification and aggregation, but the specific type of Tau protein that leads to neurotoxicity, as well as the pathogenesis of tau hyperphosphorylation and functional injury in inducing nerve apoptosis is still not fully understood

Summary

Introduction

Tau protein is a microtubule-associated protein, which is mainly expressed in neurons. Tau protein’s normal function is to promote the assembly of tubules into microtubules and maintain the stability of the formed microtubules. It regulates the growth and development of nerve cells and plays an important role in the formation of the nervous system and axon transmission [1]. Tau protein is abnormally hyperphosphorylated and separated from microtubules. Abnormal Tau aggregates form nerve fiber tangles, which are insoluble aggregates in the brain. It is caused by the breakdown of microtubules by dysfunctions of Tau protein. This research paper is concerned with Tau’s structure and functions, Tau protein in pathologic disease, and its relationship with neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer’s disease)

Biological characteristics and structure of Tau protein

Tau protein in pathologic state

The helical filament structure of Tau protein in pathological state

Tau phosphorylation and Alzheimer’s disease

Conclusion