期刊名称：Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
印刷版ISSN：2001-0370
出版年度：2014
卷号：12
期号：20-21
页码：7-13
DOI：10.1016/j.csbj.2014.09.011
语种：
出版社：Computational and Structural Biotechnology Journal
摘要：Accumulation of abnormal tau aggregates in neuron is an important pathological signature in multiple neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease. Tau is a neuron specific microtubule-associated protein that regulates microtubule stability, which is critical for axonal outgrowth and synaptic plasticity. In a pathological condition, tau dissociates from microtubules and forms insoluble aggregates called neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). The accumulation of NFTs in neuron directly correlates with microtubule dysfunction and neuronal degeneration. Due to the pathophysiological importance of tau, great efforts have been made to understand tau aggregation processes and find therapeutics to halt or reverse the processes. However, progress has been slow due to the lack of a suitable method for monitoring tau aggregation. In this mini-review, we will review the conventional methods for studying tau aggregation, and introduce recent cell-based sensor approaches that allow monitoring tau aggregation in living cells.
关键词：Tauopathy ; Tau phosphorylation ; Tau oligomerization ; In vitro assay ; Cell-based sensor ; BiFC
