taubinding

Tau binding refers to the interaction between the tau protein and microtubules within neurons. Tau is a protein primarily found in nerve cells, where its main function is to stabilize microtubules. Microtubules are essential components of the cell's cytoskeleton, providing structural support and acting as tracks for the transport of vesicles and organelles. Tau protein binds to the tubulin subunits that make up microtubules, promoting their assembly and preventing their disassembly. This binding is crucial for maintaining the integrity of neuronal structure and function.

Under normal physiological conditions, tau protein is well-regulated. However, in certain neurodegenerative diseases, most notably Alzheimer's disease, tau protein can become abnormally modified, leading to its detachment from microtubules and its aggregation into paired helical filaments and neurofibrillary tangles. This process, known as tau hyperphosphorylation, disrupts microtubule stability and impairs axonal transport, contributing to neuronal dysfunction and eventual cell death. The study of tau binding and its dysregulation is a significant area of research in understanding and developing treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. The precise mechanisms governing tau's interaction with microtubules, as well as the factors that lead to its pathological changes, are still being actively investigated.