Dimerization and Long-Range Repulsion Established by Both Termini of the Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau.

ABSTRACT: Tau is a microtubule-associated protein found in neuronal axons that has several well-known functions, such as promoting microtubule polymerization, stabilizing microtubules against depolymerization, and spatially organizing microtubules in axons. Two contrasting models have been previously described to explain tau's ability to organize the spacing between microtubules: complementary dimerization of the projection domains of taus on adjacent microtubules or tau's projection domain acting as a polyelectrolyte brush. In this study, atomic force microscopy was used to interrogate intermolecular interactions between layers of tau protein immobilized on mica substrates and on silicon nitride atomic force microscope tips. On these surfaces, tau adopts an orientation comparable to that when bound

SUBMITTER: Donhauser ZJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6613632 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature