Heterogeneous Tau-Tubulin Complexes Accelerate Microtubule Polymerization.

ABSTRACT: Tau is an intrinsically disordered protein with a central role in the pathology of a number of neurodegenerative diseases. Tau normally functions to stabilize neuronal microtubules, although the mechanism underlying this function is not well understood. Of note is that the interaction between tau and soluble tubulin, which has implications both in understanding tau function as well as its role in disease, is underexplored. Here we investigate the relationship between heterogeneity in tau-tubulin complexes and tau function. Specifically, we created a series of truncated and scrambled tau constructs and characterized the size and heterogeneity of the tau-tubulin complexes formed under nonpolymerizing conditions. Function of the constructs was verified by tubulin polymerization assays. We fin

SUBMITTER: Li XH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5479049 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature