8q96

Structural highlights

Disease

TAU_MOUSE May be involved in the pathogenesis of cytoplasmic inclusions (as Mallory bodies) in livers of mice chronically intoxicated with Griseofulvin or DDC (3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-2,4-dihydrocollidine), a model for human alcoholic hepatitis. Alteration of Tau (abnormal phosphorylation and cross-linking) could contribute to Mallory bodies formation and disturbance of microtubule function in alcoholic liver disease.

Function

TAU_MOUSE Promotes microtubule assembly and stability, and might be involved in the establishment and maintenance of neuronal polarity. The C-terminus binds axonal microtubules while the N-terminus binds neural plasma membrane components, suggesting that tau functions as a linker protein between both. Axonal polarity is predetermined by tau localization (in the neuronal cell) in the domain of the cell body defined by the centrosome. The short isoforms allow plasticity of the cytoskeleton whereas the longer isoforms may preferentially play a role in its stabilization.