Caspase-Mediated Truncation of Tau Potentiates Aggregation. (4th September 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Sangmook; Shea, Thomas B.
• Other Names: Panza Francesco Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of alzheimer's disease. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-09-04
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; 616.831005
• DOI: 10.1155/2012/731063
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-8024

Abstract

Abstract : Caspase-mediated truncation of tau is associated with aggregation. We examined the impact of manipulation of caspase activity on intracellular aggregation of a mutant form of tau (3PO) that forms spontaneous aggregates. Treatment with the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk reduced both N and C-terminal tau truncation but did not significantly reduce aggregation. Treatment with staurosporine, which activated caspases, increased C-terminal but not N-terminal truncation and enhanced aggregation. These findings suggest that caspase activation is one potential route, rather than an obligatory initiation step, in aggregation, and that N- and C-terminal truncation contribute differentially to aggregation.