Cited by 2,251Alzheimer's disease research and treatmentsNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration MechanismsAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research

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Tau in physiology and pathology

Wang, Yipeng, Mandelkow, Eckhard·2016·Nature Reviews Neuroscience

Abstract

Tau is a microtubule-associated protein that has a role in stabilizing neuronal microtubules and thus in promoting axonal outgrowth. Structurally, tau is a natively unfolded protein, is highly soluble and shows little tendency for aggregation. However, tau aggregation is characteristic of several neurodegenerative diseases known as tauopathies. The mechanisms underlying tau pathology and tau-mediated neurodegeneration are debated, but considerable progress has been made in the field of tau research in recent years, including the identification of new physiological roles for tau in the brain. Here, we review the expression, post-translational modifications and functions of tau in physiology and in pathophysiology.

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Cited by

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Metadata

Authors
Wang, Y., & Mandelkow, E.
Affiliations
Center of Advanced European Studies and Research (DE)
Corresponding author
Wang, Yipeng
Venue
Nature Reviews Neuroscience
Published
2015-12-03
Volume
17
Issue
1
Pages
22-35
ISSN
  • 1471-003X (ISSN-L)
  • 1471-0048
OpenAlex
W2185034389
Cited by
2,251
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 255 · 2025: 276 · 2024: 253 · 2023: 240 · 2022: 228 · 2021: 244 · 2020: 231 · 2019: 174 · 2018: 173 · 2017: 115 · 2016: 60
FWCI
14.18
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature reviews. Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DZNE Pub (submittedVersion)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Wellcome Trust
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Clinical Neurology › Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research
Keywords
tau protein, microtubule stabilization, tauopathy, tau aggregation, neurodegeneration, post-translational modification, intrinsically disordered proteins, axon growth
MeSH terms
Animals, Humans, Phosphorylation, Protein Processing, Post-Translational, tau Proteins, Tauopathies

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