Tau inhibits tubulin oligomerization induced by prion protein

In previous studies we have demonstrated that prion protein (PrP) interacts with tubulin and disrupts microtubular cytoskeleton by inducing tubulin oligomerization/aggregation. These observations may explain the molecular mechanism of toxicity of cytoplasmic PrP in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), the so-called prion diseases. Here, we check whether microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) that regulate microtubule stability, influence the PrP-induced oligomerization of tubulin. We show that tubulin preparations depleted of MAPs are more prone to oligomerization by PrP than those containing traces of MAPs. Tau protein, a major neuronal member of the MAPs family, reduces the effect of PrP observed in light scattering and electron microscopic studies. Furthermore, Tau protects cultured cells from deleterious effect of PrP peptide 1-30. Importantly, phosphorylation of Tau abolishes its ability to affect the PrP-induced oligomerization of tubulin. We propose that the binding of Tau stabilizes tubulin in a conformation less susceptible to oligomerization by PrP. Since elevated phosphorylation of Tau leading to a loss of its function is observed in Alzheimer disease and related tauopathies, our results point at a possible molecular link between these neurodegenerative disorders and TSEs. Noteworthy, hyperphosphorylated Tau has been detected in brains of TSE patients.

Date of publication
18 October 2011