Modulation of Tau Subcellular Localization as a Tool to Investigate the Expression of Disease-related Genes

• DOI: 10.3791/59988
• Publication Date: 2019-12-21T00:00:08Z
• Authors: Giacomo Siano; Maria Claudia Cai...; Martina Varisco; Mariantonietta Ca...; Valentina Quercioli; Antonino Cattaneo; Cristina Di Primio
• Keywords: Tau protein; Nuclear pore

Tau is a microtubule binding protein expressed in neurons and its main known function related to the maintenance of cytoskeletal stability. However, recent evidence indicated that present also other subcellular compartments including nucleus where it implicated DNA protection, rRNA transcription, mobility retrotransposons structural organization nucleolus. We have recently demonstrated nuclear involved expression VGluT1 gene, suggesting molecular mechanism could explain pathological increase glutamate release early stages Alzheimer's disease. Until recently, involvement modulating target genes has been relatively uncertain ambiguous due technical limitations prevented exclusion contribution cytoplasmic or effect downstream factors not Tau. To overcome this uncertainty, we developed method study specifically modulated by protein. employed protocol couples use localization signals fractionation, allowing interference from molecules. Most notably, easy composed classic reliable methods are broadly applicable cell types cellular conditions.