Novel function of Tau in regulating the effects of external stimuli on adult hippocampal neurogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Tau is a microtubule-associated neuronal protein found mainly in axons. However, its presence in dendrites and dendritic spines is particularly relevant due to its involvement in synaptic plasticity and neurodegeneration. Here, we show that Tau plays a novel in vivo role in the morphological and synaptic maturation of newborn hippocampal granule neurons under basal conditions. Furthermore, we reveal that Tau is involved in the selective cell death of immature granule neurons caused by acute stress. Also, Tau deficiency protects newborn neurons from the stress-induced dendritic atrophy and loss of postsynaptic densities (PSDs). Strikingly, we also demonstrate that Tau regulates the increase in newborn neuron survival triggered by environmental enrichment (EE). Moreover, newborn granule neur

SUBMITTER: Pallas-Bazarra N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4876034 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature