Tau liquid-liquid phase separation in neurodegenerative diseases

Abstract

Aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein tau plays a major role in Alzheimer's disease and several other neurodegenerative disorders. An exciting recent development is the finding that, akin to some other proteins associated with neurodegenerative disease, tau has a high propensity to condensate via the mechanism of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Here, we discuss the evidence for tau LLPS in vitro, the molecular mechanisms of this reaction, and the role of post-translational modifications and pathogenic mutations in tau phase separation. We also discuss recent studies on tau LLPS in cells and the insights these studies provide regarding the link between LLPS and neurodegeneration in tauopathies.

Keywords: liquid–liquid phase separation; neurodegenerative diseases; protein aggregation; protein condensation; tau.