The Distinct Structural Preferences of Tau Protein Repeat Domains

Authors

Xuhua Li, Fudan University
Xuewei Dong, Fudan University
Guanghong Wei, Fudan University
Martin Margittai, University of DenverFollow
Ruth Nussinov, Tel Aviv University
Buyong Ma, National Cancer Institute

Publication Date

2018

Document Type

Article

Organizational Units

College of Natual Science and Mathematics, Chemistry and Biochemistry

Keywords

Tau fibrillar structures, Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

The tau fibrillar structures from the brain of an Alzheimer's patient have a core with a C-shaped motif of the third and fourth repeat domains (R3–R4). Our simulations indicated that the C-shaped motif is only stable for R3–R4, while R1–R2 tends to be linear in shape. These two structural motifs appear in the most stable K18 protofilament. Heparin can further stabilize the C-shaped R3–R4 motif, but not other repeats.

Publication Statement

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Recommended Citation

Li, X., Dong, X., Wei, G., Margittai, M., Nussinov, R., & Ma, B. (2018). The distinct structural preferences of tau protein repeat domains. Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England), 54(45), 5700-5703. DOI: 10.1039/c8cc01263f.