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Isei MO, Girardi PA, Rodwell-Bullock J, Nehrke K, Johnson GVW. Site-specific phosphorylation of tau impacts mitochondrial function and response to stressors. J Neurochem 2024; 168:1019-1029. [PMID: 37787052 PMCID: PMC10987400 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorylation of tau at sites associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) likely plays a role in the disease progression. Mitochondrial impairment, correlating with increased presence of phosphorylated tau, has been identified as a contributing factor to neurodegenerative processes in AD. However, how tau phosphorylated at specific sites impacts mitochondrial function has not been fully defined. We examined how AD-relevant phosphomimetics of tau impact selected aspects of mitochondrial biology. To mimic phosphorylation at AD-associated sites, the serine/threonine (Ser/Thr) sites in wild-type green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged tau (T4) were converted to glutamic acid (E) to make pseudo-phosphorylated GFP-tagged Ser-396/404 (2EC) and GFP-tagged Thr-231/Ser-235 (2EM) constructs. These constructs were expressed in immortalized mouse hippocampal neuronal cell lines, and their impact on specific mitochondrial functions and responses to stressors were measured. Phosphomimetic tau altered mitochondrial distribution. Specifically, mitochondria accumulated in the soma of cells expressing either 2EC or 2EM and neurite-like extensions in 2EC cells were shorter. Additionally, adenosine triphosphate levels were reduced in both 2EC- and 2EM-expressing cells, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production increased in 2EC cells during oxidation of succinate when compared to T4-expressing cells. Thapsigargin reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and increased ROS production in both 2EC and 2EM cells relative to T4 cells, with no significant difference in the effects of rotenone. These results show that tau phosphorylation at specific AD-relevant epitopes negatively affects mitochondria, with the extent of dysfunction and stress response varying according to the sites of phosphorylation. Altogether, these findings show that phosphorylated tau increases mitochondrial susceptibility to stressors and extend our understanding of potential mechanisms whereby phosphorylated tau promotes mitochondria dysfunction in tauopathies, including AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael O Isei
- University of Rochester, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Peter A Girardi
- University of Rochester, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Joel Rodwell-Bullock
- University of Rochester, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Keith Nehrke
- University of Rochester, Department of Medicine, Nephrology Division, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Gail VW Johnson
- University of Rochester, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
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2
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Zhang T, Kim BM, Lee TH. Death-associated protein kinase 1 as a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease. Transl Neurodegener 2024; 13:4. [PMID: 38195518 PMCID: PMC10775678 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-023-00395-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia in the elderly and represents a major clinical challenge in the ageing society. Neuropathological hallmarks of AD include neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau, senile plaques derived from the deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, brain atrophy induced by neuronal loss, and synaptic dysfunctions. Death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) is ubiquitously expressed in the central nervous system. Dysregulation of DAPK1 has been shown to contribute to various neurological diseases including AD, ischemic stroke and Parkinson's disease (PD). We have established an upstream effect of DAPK1 on Aβ and tau pathologies and neuronal apoptosis through kinase-mediated protein phosphorylation, supporting a causal role of DAPK1 in the pathophysiology of AD. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about how DAPK1 is involved in various AD pathological changes including tau hyperphosphorylation, Aβ deposition, neuronal cell death and synaptic degeneration. The underlying molecular mechanisms of DAPK1 dysregulation in AD are discussed. We also review the recent progress regarding the development of novel DAPK1 modulators and their potential applications in AD intervention. These findings substantiate DAPK1 as a novel therapeutic target for the development of multifunctional disease-modifying treatments for AD and other neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Basic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, 1 Xuefu North Road, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Byeong Mo Kim
- Research Center for New Drug Development, AgingTarget Inc., 10F Ace Cheonggye Tower, 53, Seonggogae-Ro, Uiwang-Si, 16006, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea.
| | - Tae Ho Lee
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Basic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, 1 Xuefu North Road, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.
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3
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Kanaan NM. Tau here, tau there, tau almost everywhere: Clarifying the distribution of tau in the adult CNS. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2024; 81:107-115. [PMID: 38102924 PMCID: PMC10851165 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein tau has gained significant attention over the last several decades primarily due to its apparent role in the pathogenesis of several diseases, most notably Alzheimer's disease. While the field has focused largely on tau's potential contributions to disease mechanisms, comparably less work has focused on normal tau physiology. Moreover, as the field has grown, some misconceptions and dogmas regarding normal tau physiology have become engrained in the traditional narrative. Here, one of the most common misconceptions regarding tau, namely its normal cellular/subcellular distribution in the CNS, is discussed. The literature describing the presence of tau in neuronal somata, dendrites, axons and synapses, as well as in glial cells is described. The origins for the erroneous description of tau as an "axon-specific," "axon-enriched" and/or "neuron-specific" protein are discussed as well. The goal of this work is to help address these specific dogmatic misconceptions and provide a concise description of tau's normal cellular/subcellular localization in the adult CNS. This information can help refine our collective understanding of- and hypotheses about tau biology and pathobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M. Kanaan
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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4
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Tseng JH, Cohen TJ. The emerging nontraditional roles for tau in the brain. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2024; 81:89-94. [PMID: 38063261 PMCID: PMC11068308 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Jui-Heng Tseng
- Arizona State University-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center at the Biodesign Institute, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA
| | - Todd J. Cohen
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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5
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Paterno G, Torrellas J, Bell BM, Gorion KMM, Quintin SS, Hery GP, Prokop S, Giasson BI. Novel Conformation-Dependent Tau Antibodies Are Modulated by Adjacent Phosphorylation Sites. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13676. [PMID: 37761979 PMCID: PMC10530490 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau proteins within the adult central nervous system (CNS) are found to be abnormally aggregated into heterogeneous filaments in neurodegenerative diseases, termed tauopathies. These tau inclusions are pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), Pick's disease (PiD), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). The neuropathological hallmarks of these diseases burden several cell types within the CNS, and have also been shown to be abundantly phosphorylated. The mechanism(s) by which tau aggregates in the CNS is not fully known, but it is hypothesized that hyperphosphorylated tau may precede and further promote filament formation, leading to the production of these pathological inclusions. In the studies herein, we generated and thoroughly characterized two novel conformation-dependent tau monoclonal antibodies that bind to residues Pro218-Glu222, but are sensitive to denaturing conditions and highly modulated by adjacent downstream phosphorylation sites. These epitopes are present in the neuropathological hallmarks of several tauopathies, including AD, PiD, CBD, and PSP. These novel antibodies will further enable investigation of tau-dependent pathological inclusion formation and enhance our understanding of the phosphorylation signatures within tauopathies with the possibility of new biomarker developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giavanna Paterno
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (G.P.); (J.T.); (B.M.B.); (K.-M.M.G.); (S.S.Q.)
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (G.P.H.); (S.P.)
| | - Jose Torrellas
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (G.P.); (J.T.); (B.M.B.); (K.-M.M.G.); (S.S.Q.)
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (G.P.H.); (S.P.)
| | - Brach M. Bell
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (G.P.); (J.T.); (B.M.B.); (K.-M.M.G.); (S.S.Q.)
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (G.P.H.); (S.P.)
| | - Kimberly-Marie M. Gorion
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (G.P.); (J.T.); (B.M.B.); (K.-M.M.G.); (S.S.Q.)
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (G.P.H.); (S.P.)
| | - Stephan S. Quintin
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (G.P.); (J.T.); (B.M.B.); (K.-M.M.G.); (S.S.Q.)
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (G.P.H.); (S.P.)
| | - Gabriela P. Hery
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (G.P.H.); (S.P.)
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Stefan Prokop
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (G.P.H.); (S.P.)
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Benoit I. Giasson
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (G.P.); (J.T.); (B.M.B.); (K.-M.M.G.); (S.S.Q.)
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; (G.P.H.); (S.P.)
- McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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Naskar A, Nayak A, Salaikumaran MR, Vishal SS, Gopal PP. Phase separation and pathologic transitions of RNP condensates in neurons: implications for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1242925. [PMID: 37720552 PMCID: PMC10502346 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1242925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation results in the formation of dynamic biomolecular condensates, also known as membrane-less organelles, that allow for the assembly of functional compartments and higher order structures within cells. Multivalent, reversible interactions between RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), including FUS, TDP-43, and hnRNPA1, and/or RNA (e.g., RBP-RBP, RBP-RNA, RNA-RNA), result in the formation of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) condensates, which are critical for RNA processing, mRNA transport, stability, stress granule assembly, and translation. Stress granules, neuronal transport granules, and processing bodies are examples of cytoplasmic RNP condensates, while the nucleolus and Cajal bodies are representative nuclear RNP condensates. In neurons, RNP condensates promote long-range mRNA transport and local translation in the dendrites and axon, and are essential for spatiotemporal regulation of gene expression, axonal integrity and synaptic function. Mutations of RBPs and/or pathologic mislocalization and aggregation of RBPs are hallmarks of several neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Alzheimer's disease. ALS/FTD-linked mutations of RBPs alter the strength and reversibility of multivalent interactions with other RBPs and RNAs, resulting in aberrant phase transitions. These aberrant RNP condensates have detrimental functional consequences on mRNA stability, localization, and translation, and ultimately lead to compromised axonal integrity and synaptic function in disease. Pathogenic protein aggregation is dependent on various factors, and aberrant dynamically arrested RNP condensates may serve as an initial nucleation step for pathologic aggregate formation. Recent studies have focused on identifying mechanisms by which neurons resolve phase transitioned condensates to prevent the formation of pathogenic inclusions/aggregates. The present review focuses on the phase separation of neurodegenerative disease-linked RBPs, physiological functions of RNP condensates, and the pathologic role of aberrant phase transitions in neurodegenerative disease, particularly ALS/FTD. We also examine cellular mechanisms that contribute to the resolution of aberrant condensates in neurons, and potential therapeutic approaches to resolve aberrantly phase transitioned condensates at a molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditi Naskar
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Asima Nayak
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | - Sonali S. Vishal
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Pallavi P. Gopal
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, and Repair, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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7
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Riba M, del Valle J, Romera C, Alsina R, Molina-Porcel L, Pelegrí C, Vilaplana J. Uncovering tau in wasteosomes (corpora amylacea) of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1110425. [PMID: 37065464 PMCID: PMC10101234 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1110425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain corpora amylacea, recently renamed as wasteosomes, are polyglucosan bodies that appear during aging and some neurodegenerative conditions. They collect waste substances and are part of a brain cleaning mechanism. For decades, studies on their composition have produced inconsistent results and the presence of tau protein in them has been controversial. In this work, we reanalyzed the presence of this protein in wasteosomes and we pointed out a methodological problem when immunolabeling. It is well known that to detect tau it is necessary to perform an antigen retrieval. However, in the case of wasteosomes, an excessive antigen retrieval with boiling dissolves their polyglucosan structure, releases the entrapped proteins and, thus, prevents their detection. After performing an adequate pre-treatment, with an intermediate time of boiling, we observed that some brain wasteosomes from patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) contained tau, while we did not detect tau protein in those from non-AD patients. These observations pointed the different composition of wasteosomes depending on the neuropathological condition and reinforce the role of wasteosomes as waste containers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Riba
- Secció de Fisiologia, Departament de Bioquímica i Fisiologia, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaume del Valle
- Secció de Fisiologia, Departament de Bioquímica i Fisiologia, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Romera
- Secció de Fisiologia, Departament de Bioquímica i Fisiologia, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Alsina
- Secció de Fisiologia, Departament de Bioquímica i Fisiologia, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Molina-Porcel
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clinic, Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Neurological Tissue Bank of the Biobanc-Hospital Clinic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carme Pelegrí
- Secció de Fisiologia, Departament de Bioquímica i Fisiologia, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Carme Pelegrí,
| | - Jordi Vilaplana
- Secció de Fisiologia, Departament de Bioquímica i Fisiologia, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Jordi Vilaplana,
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8
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Isei MO, Girardi PA, Rodwell-Bullock J, Nehrke K, Johnson GVW. Site-specific phosphorylation of tau impacts mitochondrial biology and response to stressors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.19.529131. [PMID: 36824940 PMCID: PMC9949115 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.19.529131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorylation of tau at sites associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) likely plays a role in the disease progression. Mitochondrial impairment, correlating with increased presence of phosphorylated tau, has been identified as a contributing factor to neurodegenerative processes in AD. However, how tau phosphorylated at specific sites impacts mitochondrial function has not been fully defined. We examined how AD-relevant phosphomimetics of tau impact selected aspects of mitochondrial biology. To mimic phosphorylation at AD-associated sites, the Ser/Thr sites in wild-type GFP tagged-tau (T4) were converted to glutamic acid (E) to make pseudophosphorylated GFP tagged-Ser-396/404 (2EC) and GFP tagged-Thr-231/Ser-235 (2EM) constructs. These constructs were expressed in neuronal HT22 cells and their impact on specific mitochondrial functions and responses to stressors were measured. Phosphomimetic tau altered mitochondrial distribution. Specifically, mitochondria accumulated in the soma of cells expressing either 2EC or 2EM, and neurite-like extensions in 2EC cells were shorter. Additionally, ATP levels were reduced in both 2EC and 2EM expressing cells, and ROS production increased in 2EC cells during oxidation of succinate when compared to T4 expressing cells. Thapsigargin reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (Ψ m ) and increased ROS production in both 2EC and 2EM cells relative to T4 cells, with no significant difference in the effects of rotenone. These results show that tau phosphorylation at specific AD-relevant epitopes negatively affects mitochondria, with the extent of dysfunction and stress response varying according to the sites of phosphorylation. Altogether, these findings extend our understanding of potential mechanisms whereby phosphorylated tau promotes mitochondria dysfunction in tauopathies, including AD. Funding information R01 AG067617.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael O Isei
- University of Rochester, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Peter A Girardi
- University of Rochester, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Joel Rodwell-Bullock
- University of Rochester, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Keith Nehrke
- University of Rochester, Department of Medicine, Nephrology Division, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Gail VW Johnson
- University of Rochester, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
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Kavanagh T, Halder A, Drummond E. Tau interactome and RNA binding proteins in neurodegenerative diseases. Mol Neurodegener 2022; 17:66. [PMID: 36253823 PMCID: PMC9575286 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00572-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological tau aggregation is a primary neuropathological feature of many neurodegenerative diseases. Intriguingly, despite the common presence of tau aggregates in these diseases the affected brain regions, clinical symptoms, and morphology, conformation, and isoform ratio present in tau aggregates varies widely. The tau-mediated disease mechanisms that drive neurodegenerative disease are still unknown. Tau interactome studies are critically important for understanding tauopathy. They reveal the interacting partners that define disease pathways, and the tau interactions present in neuropathological aggregates provide potential insight into the cellular environment and protein interactions present during pathological tau aggregation. Here we provide a combined analysis of 12 tau interactome studies of human brain tissue, human cell culture models and rodent models of disease. Together, these studies identified 2084 proteins that interact with tau in human tissue and 1152 proteins that interact with tau in rodent models of disease. Our combined analysis of the tau interactome revealed consistent enrichment of interactions between tau and proteins involved in RNA binding, ribosome, and proteasome function. Comparison of human and rodent tau interactome studies revealed substantial differences between the two species. We also performed a second analysis to identify the tau interacting proteins that are enriched in neurons containing granulovacuolar degeneration or neurofibrillary tangle pathology. These results revealed a timed dysregulation of tau interactions as pathology develops. RNA binding proteins, particularly HNRNPs, emerged as early disease-associated tau interactors and therefore may have an important role in driving tau pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Kavanagh
- Brain and Mind Centre and School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, 94 Mallett Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Aditi Halder
- Brain and Mind Centre and School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, 94 Mallett Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Eleanor Drummond
- Brain and Mind Centre and School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, 94 Mallett Street, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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