Tau as a molecular marker of development, aging and neurodegenerative disorders.
The purpose of this work is to review the changes that take place in the microtubule associated protein tau during neuronal development, aging and neurodegeneration. Human tau protein is expressed from a single gene located on chromosome 17. The DNA is transcribed into nuclear RNA and this RNA, by alternative splicing, yields different mRNA species which are developmentally regulated. In aging, or in neurodegenerative disorders, post translational modifications of tau, such as phosphorylation, could take place, and new tau isoforms may appear. Thus, tau isoforms can be used as markers to follow neuronal development, aging or neurodegeneration.
Hernández
Félix
F
Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC-UAM, Fac. Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
Pérez
Mar
M
de Barreda
Elena Gómez
EG
Goñi-Oliver
Paloma
P
Avila
Jesús
J
D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017398:Alternative Splicing; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; C054369:MAPT protein, human; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D016875:tau Proteins