Smuggle Tau Through a Secret(ory) Pathway

Authors

Hao Xu, University of Southern MississippiFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-1-2021

Department

Biological Sciences

School

Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences

Abstract

Secretion of misfolded tau, a microtubule-binding protein enriched in nerve cells, is linked to the progression of tau pathology. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying tau secretion are poorly understood. Recent work by Lee et al. [Biochemical J. (2021) 478: 1471-1484] demonstrated that the transmembrane domains of syntaxin6 and syntaxin8 could be exploited for tau release, setting a stage for testing a novel hypothesis that has profound implications in tauopathies (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, FTDP-17, and CBD/PSP) and other related neurodegenerative diseases. The present commentary highlights the importance and limitations of the study, and discusses opportunities and directions for future investigations.

Publication Title

Biochemical Journal

Volume

478

Issue

14

First Page

2921

Last Page

2925

Recommended Citation

Xu, H. (2021). Smuggle Tau Through a Secret(ory) Pathway. Biochemical Journal, 478(14), 2921-2925.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/19235