title: Tau co-organizes dynamic microtubule and actin networks.
abstract: The crosstalk between microtubules and actin is essential for cellular functions. However, mechanisms underlying the microtubule-actin organization by cross-linkers remain largely unexplored. Here, we report that tau, a neuronal microtubule-associated protein, binds to microtubules and actin simultaneously, promoting in vitro co-organization and coupled growth of both networks. By developing an original assay to visualize concomitant microtubule and actin assembly, we show that tau can induce guided polymerization of actin filaments along microtubule tracks and growth of single microtubules along actin filament bundles. Importantly, tau mediates microtubule-actin co-alignment without changing polymer growth properties. Mutagenesis studies further reveal that at least two of the four tau repeated motifs, primarily identified as tubulin-binding sites, are required to connect microtubules and actin. Tau thus represents a molecular linker between microtubule and actin networks, enabling a coordination of the two cytoskeletons that might be essential in various neuronal contexts.
authors.affiliation: 1] Inserm, U836, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France [2] Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Auréliane
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elie
authors.affiliation: 1] Inserm, U836, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France [2] Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Elea
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Prezel
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherches en Technologies et Sciences pour le Vivant, iRTSV, Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, CNRS/CEA/INRA/UJF, 38054 Grenoble, France.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guérin
authors.affiliation: 1] Inserm, U836, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France [2] Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France [3] iRTSV, GPC, CEA, 38054 Grenoble, France.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Denarier
authors.affiliation: 1] Inserm, U836, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France [2] Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Sacnicte
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramirez-Rios
authors.affiliation: 1] Inserm, U836, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France [2] Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Laurence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serre
authors.affiliation: 1] Inserm, U836, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France [2] Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France [3] iRTSV, GPC, CEA, 38054 Grenoble, France.
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andrieux
authors.affiliation: 1] Inserm, U836, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France [2] Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France [3] iRTSV, GPC, CEA, 38054 Grenoble, France.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fourest-Lieuvin
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherches en Technologies et Sciences pour le Vivant, iRTSV, Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, CNRS/CEA/INRA/UJF, 38054 Grenoble, France.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blanchoin
authors.affiliation: 1] Inserm, U836, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France [2] Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, BP170, 38042 Grenoble, Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Arnal
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000199:Actins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D001665:Binding Sites; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D008870:Microtubules / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009038:Motion; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D016875:tau Proteins