Distinct lipid membrane-mediated pathways of Tau assembly revealed by single-molecule analysis. Issue 12 (8th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yao, Qiong-Qiong; Wen, Jitao; Perrett, Sarah; Wu, Si
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 14:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 4604
• Page End: 4613
• Publication Date: 2022-03-08
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/d1nr05960b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : Single-molecule fluorescence detection reveals the conformational changes and intermolecular oligomerization of microtubule-associated protein Tau induced by DMPS lipid bilayers, and shows distinct assembly pathways depending on lipid concentration. Abstract : The conversion of intrinsically disordered Tau to highly ordered amyloid aggregates is associated with a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases termed tauopathies. The presence of lipid bilayer membranes is a critical factor that accelerates the abnormal aggregation of Tau protein. However, the lipid membrane-induced conformational changes of Tau and the mechanism for the accelerated fibrillation remain elusive. In this study, single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) were applied to detect the conformational changes and intermolecular interactions of full-length Tau in the presence of different concentrations of 1, 2-dimyristoyl- sn-glycero -3-phosphatidylserine (DMPS) vesicles. The results show that the conformation of Tau becomes expanded with opening of the N-terminal and C-terminal domains of Tau upon binding to DMPS. At low DMPS concentrations, Tau forms oligomers with a partially extended conformation which facilitates the amyloid fibrillization process. At high DMPS concentrations, Tau monomer binds to lipid membranes in a fully expanded conformation at low density thus inhibiting intermolecular aggregation. Our study reveals the underlying mechanisms by which lipid membranes influence amyloid formation of Tau, providing a foundation for further understanding of the pathogenesis and physiology of the interplay between Tau protein and lipid membranes.