Abstract
Microtubule-associated protein tau has long been known for its ability to promote microtubule assembly. A less known feature of tau is its existence as a non-microtubule associated protein. Here we review the interactions of tau with other proteins, some of which interact with the microtubule binding repeat region of tau. The tau interactions with Fyn and with Pin1 have attracted the most attention and both interactions have been thought to have a role in Alzheimer’s disease. The fact that tau has unknown cellular functions is further evidenced by its involvement in cell cycle activated neurodegeneration. One possible route for additional investigations stems from the presence of tau in non-neuronal cells where its characteristics have been largely unknown, although there has been a correlation between tau levels and the response of some cancer cells to microtubule-targeting chemotherapy drugs. Our studies of prostate cancer cells indicate that these cells can provide a system with phosphorylated adult tau for functional studies. In fact, structural similarities exist between Alzheimer’s disease tau and prostate cancer cell tau, raising the possibility that new tau functions uncovered in prostate cancer cells will have relevance to Alzheimer’s disease.
Keywords: Tau, Alzheimer’s disease, Fyn, phosphorylation, Pin1, prostate cancer cells.
Current Alzheimer Research
Title:Tubulin-Independent Tau in Alzheimer’s Disease and Cancer: Implications for Disease Pathogenesis and Treatment
Volume: 7 Issue: 8
Author(s): S. Souter and G. Lee
Affiliation:
Keywords: Tau, Alzheimer’s disease, Fyn, phosphorylation, Pin1, prostate cancer cells.
Abstract: Microtubule-associated protein tau has long been known for its ability to promote microtubule assembly. A less known feature of tau is its existence as a non-microtubule associated protein. Here we review the interactions of tau with other proteins, some of which interact with the microtubule binding repeat region of tau. The tau interactions with Fyn and with Pin1 have attracted the most attention and both interactions have been thought to have a role in Alzheimer’s disease. The fact that tau has unknown cellular functions is further evidenced by its involvement in cell cycle activated neurodegeneration. One possible route for additional investigations stems from the presence of tau in non-neuronal cells where its characteristics have been largely unknown, although there has been a correlation between tau levels and the response of some cancer cells to microtubule-targeting chemotherapy drugs. Our studies of prostate cancer cells indicate that these cells can provide a system with phosphorylated adult tau for functional studies. In fact, structural similarities exist between Alzheimer’s disease tau and prostate cancer cell tau, raising the possibility that new tau functions uncovered in prostate cancer cells will have relevance to Alzheimer’s disease.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Souter S. and Lee G., Tubulin-Independent Tau in Alzheimer’s Disease and Cancer: Implications for Disease Pathogenesis and Treatment, Current Alzheimer Research 2010; 7 (8) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720510793611637
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156720510793611637 |
Print ISSN 1567-2050 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5828 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Comparison of the Inhibitory Effects of Clotrimazole and Ketoconazole against Human Carboxylesterase 2
Current Drug Metabolism Discovery of Novel CYP17 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer with Structure-Based Drug Design
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate as a Countermeasure for Cancer Cachexia: A Cellular and Molecular Rationale
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry The Tumor Stroma as Mediator of Drug Resistance - A Potential Target to Improve Cancer Therapy?
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Signaling Pathways Responsible for Cancer Cell Invasion as Targets for Cancer Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Strategic Aspects of NPY-Based Monoclonal Antibodies for Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer
Current Protein & Peptide Science Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor as an Anti-Angiogenic Target for Cancer Therapy
Current Drug Targets Overview of Systems Biology and Omics Technologies
Current Medicinal Chemistry Spherical Self-Organizing Map Detects MYBL 1 As Candidate Gene for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Aptamers in Targeted Nanotherapy
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Microglia Phenotype Diversity
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Targeting Histone Onco- Modifications Using Plant-Derived Products
Current Drug Targets System Models, Assays and Endpoint Parameters to Evaluate Anticancer Compounds During Preclinical Screening
Current Medicinal Chemistry Nuclear Architecture and Gene Expression in the Quest for Novel Therapeutics
Current Pharmaceutical Design Synthesis of a Novel Curcumin Derivative as a Potential Imaging Probe in Alzheimer’s Disease Imaging
Current Alzheimer Research The Implications of Sortilin/Vps10p Domain Receptors in Neurological and Human Diseases
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The Post Hoc Use of Randomised Controlled Trials to Explore Drug Associated Cancer Outcomes: Methodological Challenges
Current Drug Safety RING-, HECT-, and RBR-type E3 Ubiquitin Ligases: Involvement in Human Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets Natural Compounds Used as Therapies Targeting to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Achieving Detumescence of Ischemic Priapism with Intra-Cavernosal Injection of entanyl: An Unexpected Outcome of Miscommunication Error
Current Drug Safety