Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lata Rani, Sairam S. Mallajosyula
Summary: The study focuses on understanding the factors affecting the structural stability of PHFs in tauopathies, including phosphorylated and O-GlcNAcylated tau. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the unique dimeric C-shaped structure of the human tau protein and the structural effects of post-translational modifications, particularly phosphorylation. Phosphorylation induces a conformational transition from the C to the H conformation due to the loss of a key salt bridge, while O-GlcNAcylation maintains the C conformation.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Youssra K. K. Al-Hilaly, Connor Hurt, Janet E. E. Rickard, Charles R. R. Harrington, John M. D. Storey, Claude M. M. Wischik, Louise C. C. Serpell, Ansgar B. B. Siemer
Summary: Aggregation of the tau protein into fibrillar cross-beta aggregates is a characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease. A recent study found that a tau fragment called dGAE can form filaments in vitro, providing a promising model for studying AD tau filaments. Solid-state NMR was used to characterize the tau filaments and it was found that filaments assembled under non-reducing conditions are more dynamic and less ordered than those assembled in the presence of a reducing agent.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kurtis Mengham, Youssra Al-Hilaly, Sebastian Oakley, Kamillia Kasbi, Mahmoud B. Maina, Louise C. Serpell
Summary: Tau is a protein that can form different fibers in Alzheimer's disease and other taupathies. It can bind to microtubules and has the ability of phase separation. The various conformations of this protein are crucial for its biological function and its association with neurodegenerative diseases.
ESSAYS IN BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jiahui Zhu, Xingjun Jiang, Yanmin Chang, Yanqing Wu, Shangqi Sun, Cailin Wang, Siyi Zheng, Min Wang, Yi Yao, Gang Li, Rong Ma
Summary: The study found that clemastine fumarate shows potential in treating Alzheimer's disease. It reduces Tau protein deposition, protects neurons and synapses, reduces neuroinflammation, and improves cognitive function.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Amaruka Hazari, Michael R. Sawaya, Maria Sajimon, Niko Vlahakis, Jose Rodriguez, David Eisenberg, Jevgenij A. Raskatov
Summary: Five new crystal structures of rippled sheets derived from amyloid beta and amylin have been reported, providing insights into the molecular structures of toxic peptides in Alzheimer's disease and type II diabetes, and offering a structural basis for targeted therapies.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Arunkumar Subramanian, T. Tamilanban, Abdulrhman Alsayari, Gobinath Ramachawolran, Ling Shing Wong, Mahendran Sekar, Siew Hua Gan, Vetriselvan Subramaniyan, Suresh V. V. Chinni, Nur Najihah Izzati Mat Rani, Nagaraja Suryadevara, Shadma Wahab
Summary: The primary and significant weakening event in elderly individuals is age-dependent cognitive decline and dementia, with Alzheimer's disease being the chief cause. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive deficits is crucial. The regulatory relationship between the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and Alzheimer's disease, as well as the role of autophagy, is pivotal. Exploring the link between mTOR and autophagy further holds potential for Alzheimer's disease therapy.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Batbayar Tumurbaatar, Anna Fracassi, Pietro Scaduto, Jutatip Guptarak, Randall Woltjer, Daniel Jupiter, Giulio Taglialatela
Summary: This study investigates the association of autophagy with cognitive integrity in individuals with Alzheimer's disease neuropathology but without dementia. The results suggest that preserved autophagy may protect against cognitive decline in these individuals.
ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hariharakrishnan Chidambaram, Subashchandrabose Chinnathambi
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the accumulation of Tau protein in cells, and cysteine residues play a crucial role in this aggregation process. In this study, it was found that even cysteine mutant Tau can aggregate to form filaments under in-vitro conditions, although with a delayed aggregation compared to wild-type Tau.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Linlin Xu, Yuxun Ding, Feihe Ma, Yue Chen, Guidong Chen, Lin Zhu, Jiafu Long, Rujiang Ma, Yang Liu, Jianfeng Liu, Fan Huang, Linqi Shi
Summary: Researchers have developed a customized nanochaperone protein for targeting intracellular pathological tau in Alzheimer's disease. This protein effectively inhibits tau aggregation and improves cognitive deficits. The nanochaperone exhibits selectivity and does not interfere with normal tau function. This study provides valuable insights for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Juan Carlos Polanco, Gabriel Rhys Hand, Adam Briner, Chuanzhou Li, Jurgen Gotz
Summary: The study revealed that tau seeds in tauopathies spread trans-synaptically via exosomes, escaping endosomes through lysosomal degradation to induce tau aggregation in the cytosol. The enzymatic activities of lysosomes permeabilize exosomal and endosomal membranes, facilitating access of exosomal tau seeds to cytosolic tau for aggregation. This highlights the crucial role of endosomal membrane integrity in cellular invasion by misfolded proteins resistant to lysosomal degradation.
ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Xing Jun Jiang, Yan Qing Wu, Rong Ma, Yan Min Chang, Lu Lu Li, Jia Hui Zhu, Gong Ping Liu, Gang Li
Summary: This study found that overexpression of PINK1 can promote the degradation of accumulated tau proteins in patients with AD, improving cognitive abilities and rescuing damaged neurons and synapses. Furthermore, PINK1 also improves mitochondrial dysfunction caused by tau proteins. This suggests that PINK1 may be a potential target for AD treatment.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ying-Ying Gao, Tao Zhong, Li-Qiang Wang, Na Zhang, Yan Zeng, Ji-Ying Hu, Hai-Bin Dang, Jie Chen, Yi Liang
Summary: Zinc promotes liquid-liquid phase separation and aggregation of full-length Tau, resulting in the formation of stress granules and interaction with G3BP1, leading to increased Tau filaments and neuronal toxicity. Additionally, zinc aggravates mitochondrial damage and reactive oxygen species production induced by Tau aggregation, further deteriorating the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kristine Kitoka, Rostislav Skrabana, Norbert Gasparik, Jozef Hritz, Kristaps Jaudzems
Summary: Tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease, are challenging conditions with no well-established disease-modifying therapies. The distribution of tau protein pathology correlates with cognitive decline. NMR techniques play a significant role in studying tau aggregation pathways.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Weijin Wang, Qiuzhi Zhou, Tao Jiang, Shihong Li, Jinwang Ye, Jie Zheng, Xin Wang, Yanchao Liu, Minmin Deng, Dan Ke, Qun Wang, Yipeng Wang, Jian-Zhi Wang
Summary: The novel small-molecule PROTAC, C004019, showed promising results in selectively promoting tau protein clearance and improving synaptic and cognitive functions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kerry T. Sun, Tark Patel, Sang-Gyun Kang, Allan Yarahmady, Mahalashmi Srinivasan, Olivier Julien, Jonathan Heras, Sue-Ann Mok
Summary: The accumulation of tau fibrils is linked to neurodegenerative diseases, and the structure of tau fibrils can vary in different tauopathies. Certain tauopathies are associated with mutations in the tau protein, and these mutations can impact the structure of the fibrils.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)