Source

Mouse

Reactivity

Human;Mouse;Rat

Background

Tau is a heterogeneous microtubule-associated protein that promotes and stabilizes microtubule assembly, especially in axons. Six isoforms with different amino-terminal inserts and different numbers of tandem repeats near the carboxy terminus have been identified, and tau is hyperphosphorylated at approximately 25 sites by Erk, glycogen synthase kinase-3, and CDK5. Phosphorylation decreases the ability of tau to bind to microtubules. Neurofibrillary tangles are a major hallmark of Alzheimer's disease; these tangles are bundles of paired helical filaments composed of hyperphosphorylated tau. In particular, phosphorylation at Ser396 by GSK-3 or CDK5 destabilizes microtubules. Furthermore, research studies have shown that inclusions of tau are found in a number of other neurodegenerative diseases, collectively known as tauopathies.

References

[1] Johnson, G.V. and Stoothoff, W.H. (2004) J Cell Sci 117, 5721-9.
[2] Hanger, D.P. et al. (1998) J Neurochem 71, 2465-76.
[3] Bramblett, G.T. et al. (1993) Neuron 10, 1089-99.

Raw materials

Preparation Products