[Antigenic changes of Tau protein induced by glutamate on primary cultures of neurons: immunocytochemistry study]

C R Seances Soc Biol Fil. 1993;187(1):87-95.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Degenerating neurons in Alzheimer's disease are characterized by the presence of neurofibrillary tangles constituted by paired helical filaments (PHF). Abnormally phosphorylated Tau protein, a microtubule associated protein is one of the major component of PHF. Abnormal phosphorylation seems to be located in the C-terminal domain but also in the N-terminal region of Tau proteins. Previous studies demonstrated that calcium-mediated glutamate toxicity produces a dose-dependent increase of Tau immunolabellings in neuronal cultures. Biochemical results revealed that these changes could be associated with abnormal Tau migrations on immunoblots. Using three anti-Tau antibodies the present study shows that glutamate toxicity induces in neuronal cultures, Tau modifications localized in the N- and C-terminal domains of the protein. These findings suggest the possibility that glutamate toxicity can induce Tau antigenic changes involving probably the whole molecule.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigenic Variation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Glutamates / pharmacology*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / immunology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • tau Proteins / immunology*

Substances

  • Glutamates
  • tau Proteins