Abstract
Neurofibrillary tangles are a pathological phenotype in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are caused by the hyperphosphorylation of the microtubule associated protein tau. In mouse models of AD, decreasing tau protein expression limits the severity of symptoms and inhibits progression of AD. We now report that the 5' leader in the human tau mRNA contains an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) and that IRES-dependent translation plays a role in the synthesis of tau protein. Consequently, targeting the tau IRES provides a novel target for regulating tau expression in AD and other tauopathies.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cell Line, Tumor
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Cycloheximide / pharmacology
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
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Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
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Humans
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Luciferases, Firefly / metabolism
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Luciferases, Renilla / metabolism
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Neuroblastoma
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Peptide Chain Initiation, Translational*
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Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
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RNA Cap Analogs / pharmacology
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
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RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
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Rabbits
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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Transfection / methods
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tau Proteins / biosynthesis*
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tau Proteins / genetics*
Substances
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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ELF4 protein, human
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MAPT protein, human
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Protein Synthesis Inhibitors
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RNA Cap Analogs
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RNA, Messenger
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RNA, Small Interfering
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Transcription Factors
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luciferase, Photinus
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tau Proteins
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Cycloheximide
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Luciferases, Renilla
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Luciferases, Firefly