[Alternations of tau protein and its phosphorylated profiles in the experimental hamsters infected by scrapie agents 263K and 139A].
In human prion diseases, phosphorylated-tau deposition has been described in a rare genetic form, Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease, but is not considered part of the neuropathological picture of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. To investigate the possible changes of tau and phosphorylated tau (Ser396/Ser404) in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), the expressions and transcriptions of above biological factors in the brain tissues of 263K- and 139A-infected hamsters were evaluated by Western blots and Real Time PCR, respectively, followed by quantitative analyses of immunoblot images and relative transcriptional levels compared with normal animals. The contents of total tau increased, but phosphorylated tau at Ser396 and Ser404 decreased, regardless of the types of scrapie agents and clinical incubations. Transcriptions of two tau isoforms were also markedly increased. These findings suggested that dephosphorylation of tau at Ser396/Ser404 was a illness-correlative phenomenon in TSEs. Alterations of tau and phosphorylated tau (Ser396/Ser404) were either intermediate or consequent events in TSE pathogenesis and proposed the potential linkage of these bioactive proteins with the pathogenesis of prion diseases.
Wang
Gui-rong
GR
State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100052, China.
Shi
Song
S
Gao
Chen
C
Zhang
Bao-yun
BY
Tian
Chan
C
Dong
Chen-fang
CF
Zhou
Rui-min
RM
Li
Xiao-li
XL
Chen
Cao
C
Dong
Xiao-ping
XP
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D006224:Cricetinae; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D010766:Phosphorylation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018620:PrPSc Proteins / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D018620:PrPSc Proteins; D016875:tau Proteins