Isoform-independent and -dependent phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein tau in mouse brain during postnatal development

• DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.798918
• Publication Date: 2017-12-01T23:15:11Z
• Authors: Dilina Tuerde; Taeko Kimura; Tomohiro Miyasaka; Kotaro Furusawa; Aki Shimozawa; Masato Hasegawa; Kanae Ando; Shin-ichi Hisanaga
• Keywords: Microtubule-associated protein

Tau is a microtubule (MT)-associated protein that regulates MT dynamics in the axons of neurons. binds to MTs via its C-terminal MT-binding repeats. There are two types tau, those with three (3R) or four (4R) repeats; 4R tau has stronger MT-stabilizing activity than 3R tau. The regulated by phosphorylation. Interestingly, both isoform and phosphorylation change at time neuronal circuit formation during postnatal development; highly phosphorylated replaced which less phosphorylated. However, it not known how transition isoforms regulated. Here, we addressed this question using developing mouse brains. Detailed analysis brains revealed switch from occurred day 9 (P9) P18 under same course as conversion high low. hypothyroidism, delay brain development, delayed timing dephosphorylation but exchange isoforms, indicating switching necessarily linked. Furthermore, confirmed finding expressed single human Human either 4R, reduced levels development even though did change. We also found were differently vivo developmental days. These results show for first alteration development.