MAPT Human Recombinant Protein

This gene encodes the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) whose transcript undergoes complex, regulated alternative splicing, giving rise to several mRNA species. MAPT transcripts are differentially expressed in the nervous system, depending on stage of neuronal maturation and neuron type. MAPT gene mutations have been associated with several neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, frontotemporal dementia, cortico-basal degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

Tau: a microtubule-associated protein that regulates microtubule assembly and stability. Apparently involved in the establishment and maintenance of neuronal polarity. Mutations can result in several neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, frontotemporal dementia, cortico-basal degeneration and progressive supranuclear palsy. The C-terminus binds axonal microtubules while the N-terminus binds neural plasma membrane components, suggesting that tau functions as a linker. Axonal polarity is predetermined by tau localization (in the neuronal cell) in the domain of the cell body defined by the centrosome. Nine differentially spliced isoforms have been described. The short isoforms allow plasticity of the cytoskeleton, whereas the longer isoforms may preferentially play a role in its stabilization.

Protein type: Cytoskeletal

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 17q21.1

Cellular Component: microtubule; microtubule associated complex; growth cone; axon; tubulin complex; plasma membrane; axoneme; cytosol

Molecular Function: protein binding; enzyme binding; structural constituent of cytoskeleton; microtubule binding; apolipoprotein binding; protein kinase binding; SH3 domain binding

Biological Process: axon extension; apoptosis; positive regulation of microtubule polymerization; positive regulation of axon extension; axon cargo transport; neuron migration; microtubule cytoskeleton organization and biogenesis; adult walking behavior; regulation of microtubule polymerization; mitochondrion transport along microtubule; negative regulation of intracellular transport; generation of neurons; regulation of autophagy; cell structure disassembly during apoptosis

Disease: Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive, 1; Pick Disease Of Brain; Frontotemporal Dementia; Parkinson-dementia Syndrome; Parkinson Disease, Late-onset; Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration With Tdp43 Inclusions, Grn-related