Is Tau a Protein?

Tau is a small protein with a short name but a large reputation because of its association with multiple brain diseases. When mice are genetically designed to lack tau protein, their brain cells do not function properly, and tau dysfunction has been identified in a number of very severe human brain diseases.

What type of protein is tau?

Tau is a microtubule-associated protein that stabilizes neuronal microtubules under normal physiological conditions. However, in certain pathological situations, tau protein may undergo modifications, mainly through phosphorylation, that can result in the generation of aberrant aggregates that are toxic to neurons.

Is tau and amyloid protein?

Amyloid-β peptides are proteolytic fragments of the transmembrane amyloid precursor protein, whereas tau is a brain-specific, axon-enriched microtubule-associated protein.