Alexa Fluor® 488 Anti-Tau antibody [EP2456Y]

Supplementary info

Activity summary

Tau also known as microtubule-associated protein Tau (MAPT) plays an important role in stabilizing microtubules in neuronal cells. Tau is primarily found in the central nervous system but also exists in peripheral neurons. Human Tau protein comes in six isoforms due to alternative splicing with molecular weights ranging from 48 kDa to 67 kDa. This protein predominantly locates in the axons of neurons where it maintains the stability of microtubule tracks necessary for axonal transport.

Biological function summary

Tau is involved in the assembly and stabilization of microtubules essential for maintaining neuronal structure. It interacts with microtubule-binding domains (MBD) to bind and bundle microtubules facilitating intracellular transport. Tau forms a part of the neuronal cytoskeleton complex working closely with other cytoskeletal proteins to preserve the proper axonal transport and function. Abnormally phosphorylated Tau often termed phospho-Tau disrupts this complex affecting microtubule stability.

Pathways

Tau has critical involvement in several signaling cascades such as the microtubule-binding and transport pathways. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) and cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) frequently phosphorylate Tau controlling its interaction with microtubules. Phosphorylated Tau accumulates leading to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles often observed in neurodegenerative conditions. Additionally Tau interacts with GAPDH impacting cellular energy regulation through potential pathway cross-talk involving oxidative stress responses.

Associated diseases and disorders

Tau is closely associated with Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. In Alzheimer's disease hyperphosphorylated Tau aggregates into paired helical filaments forming neurofibrillary tangles while similar aggregates are observed in frontotemporal dementia. In these conditions Tau links to amyloid precursor protein (APP) where misregulated phosphorylation-driven interactions contribute to neurodegeneration. Identifying phospho-Tau and its altered interactions with related proteins aids in understanding and potentially treating these disorders.