Overview:

The Tau family of proteins interacts directly with microtubules to stabilize macromolecular structures. Microtubule association is dependent on the phosphorylation state of Tau proteins (1). Hyperphosphorylated Tau proteins are implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) where it is a major component of the offending protein aggregates. Other components of the aggregates include misfolded proteins such as beta-amyloid precursor protein (betaAPP), ubiquitin, and various chaperones and protein kinases. Malfunctioning Tau proteins are associated with microtubule disintegration and collapse of the neuronal transport system (2).

References:

1. Zilka, N., et al. Truncated tau from sporadic Alzheimer's disease suffices to drive neurofibrillary degeneration in vivo. FEBS Lett. 2006; 508: 3582-3588.

2. Rial, A. et al: Calcium Dyshomeostasis in beta-amyloid and tau-bearing skeletal myotubes. J. Biol. Chem., 2004; 279: 3524-53532.