Researchers make breakthrough in understanding the role of tau protein in Alzheimer’s

A research team from the University of Cologne has made a significant breakthrough in understanding the role of the Tau protein in Alzheimer’s disease. With the help of people induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs), the international team was able to demonstrate that a specific form of the tau protein, known as the 1N4R ISO form, is responsible for mediating the toxic effects of protein lumps in human brain cells.

The study was published in the Alzheimer and dementia Journal Under the title “The Tau Isovorm 1N4R, the vulnerability of Map-Out Human IPSC-Dedicated Neurons for amyloid beta and fosphorylated Tau-induced neuronal dysfunction”. It was led by Dr. Hans Zempel from the Institute of Human Genetics, which is also a group leader in the Career Advancement Program (CAP) at the Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC) of the University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne.

If a person suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, certain proteins accumulate in brain cells, causing lumps to be formed that limit normal cell function or even die the cell. Dr.’s team Buchholz and Dr. Zempel have used ultramodern techniques, such as CRISPR/CAS9 gene processing and live-cell imaging in pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) induced by people to show that the 1N4R Tau-Iso form is responsible for the pathological effects on the cell. IPSCs are human stem cells that are generated from other cells. For example, skin cells can be re -programmed in IPSCs and from there be converted into brain cells (neurons).

The researchers tested different forms of the Tau protein by making them specifically expression in nerve cells. In this way the researchers were able to analyze how each protein -iso shape influences the cell. According to Dr. Sarah Buchholz, first author of the study, “This study is an important progress to help us understand the mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease. By identifying 1N4R Tau as an important protein, we have discovered a potentially new target for future treatments. “The interdisciplinary approach to the study not only helps to better understand Alzheimer’s disease, but also shows the importance of human cell models in neurodegenerative research. Further studies are needed to translate the results of this study into clinical application, in particular to develop the results in adequate therapeutic in this process.