The role of dementia proteins in normal memory

New research reveals how tau proteins, a key element in the formation of Alzheimer's disease, are involved in the normal learning process of a healthy brain — which could provide a focal point

In the study, published in the journal EMBO, researchers at Flinders University offered new insights into the tau protein, finding that it may contribute to molecular processes of memory formation, and that the role of the tau protein has been enigmatic

Using a sensitive method called proximity labeling, the team aims to identify all proteins that tau proteins come into contact with within brain cells and label and recognize the entire set

The researchers looked at the set of proteins that interact with the tau protein, and what specific functions these interactions support, and they found that while the tau protein binds to proteins that support brain cell structure, it also interacts with proteins that control neurotransmitter vesicles and cell surface receptors, both of which are necessary

Dr Arne Ittner, senior research author and senior study author and senior research fellow at the Flinders Institute of Health and Medical Research, said: "Our new study documents all tau protein-related partners supporting normal brain function

"Among our numerous partners, we identified an enzyme that tightly controls neurotransmitter sensors

Changes in the connections between brain cells are called synapses, and they are the basis of the process of

When memory is formed, the number of neurotransmitter receptors (sensor molecules that detect information from other brain cells) increases

The new findings may be crucial

While the late stages of Alzheimer's have been known to neuropathologists for more than a century, what is less well known is that the normal function of the tau protein may be associated with memory impairment at other stages

"We are very aware of the effects of tau protein in dementia-related memory loss, but interestingly, tau protein helps control normal memory processes," said

After identifying NSF as tau's new partner, the team used high-energy microscopy techniques and mouse memory testing to focus on how tau is specifically involved in processes

In confirming with colleagues at Macquarie University how TAu affects NSF in cultured brain cells, the researchers found that in cells lacking the tau protein, NSF was uncontrolled, leading to abnormal behavior of glutamate receptors

Dr Itner said: "By removing and reintroducing the tau protein in brain cells, we are able to attribute changes in receptor behavior to changes in tau protein, which could become the focus

Importantly, the neurotransmitters glutamate and tau have previously been linked

"Interestingly, mutations in NSF are associated with hereditary epilepsy, which brings this new finding close to the function of tau in epilepsy and stroke," Dr.

Article title

Tau protein target recognition reveals the dependent role of NSF on AMPA receptor transport and memory formation