title: Looking for novel functions of tau.
abstract: The lack or excess of the protein tau can be deleterious for neurons. The absence of tau can result in retarded neurogenesis and neuronal differentiation, although adult mice deficient in tau are viable, probably because of the compensation of the loss of tau by other MAPs (microtubule-associated proteins). On the contrary, the overexpression of tau can be toxic for the cell. One way to reduce intracellular tau levels can be achieved by its secretion through microvesicles to the extracellular space. Furthermore, tau can be found in the extracellular space because of the neuronal cell death occurring in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. The presence of toxic extracellular tau could be the mechanism for the spreading of tau pathology in these neurodegenerative disorders.
authors: Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain. javila@cbm.uam.es
authors: Jesus
authors: J
authors: Avila
authors: Elena Gomez
authors: EG
authors: de Barreda
authors: Almudena
authors: A
authors: Fuster-Matanzo
authors: Diana
authors: D
authors: Simón
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Llorens-Martín
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Engel
authors: Jose J
authors: JJ
authors: Lucas
authors: Miguel
authors: M
authors: Díaz-Hernández
authors: Félix
authors: F
authors: Hernández
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016875:tau Proteins