Comparison of S100b protein with calmodulin: interactions with melittin and microtubule-associated tau proteins and inhibition of phosphorylation of tau proteins by protein kinase C

To gauge similarities between S100b protein and calmodulin, interactions were observed between S100b and melittin and between S100b and tau, the microtubule-associated proteins. The interaction of melittin with S100b protein in the presence and absence of calcium was studied by fluorescence polarization, UV difference spectroscopy, and sulfhydryl derivatization. Whether calcium was present or not in the solution, melittin and S100b form a complex of molar ratios up to 2:1. Further binding of melittin occurred, but it resulted in precipitation of S100b, as is true of the corresponding case of melittin binding to calmodulin. In the absence of calcium, the interaction of melittin and S100b shielded the tryptophan (Trp) of the former protein and exposed cysteine-84 beta (Cys-84 beta) of the latter protein, leaving the tyrosine-16 beta (Tyr-16 beta) of S100b unaffected. Calcium addition to the complex partially restored the exposure of Trp of melittin and caused changes in the environment of Tyr-16 beta (unlike the environmental changes induced for Tyr-16 beta by calcium in the absence of melittin). The conformational changes induced in S100b by interaction with melittin increased its affinity for calcium and offset the inhibition of calcium binding otherwise observed in the presence of potassium ions. This corroborated the previous finding that S100b affinity for calcium greatly depends on the protein conformation. The phenomena described above are similar to the interactions of melittin with calmodulin and thus suggest that S100b and calmodulin have a common structural domain not only that binds melittin but also that may interact with common target proteins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Reinvestigation of the sulfhydryl reactivity in bovine brain S100b (beta beta) protein and the microtubule-associated tau proteins. Ca2+ stimulates disulfide cross-linking between the S100b beta-subunit and the microtubule-associated tau(2) protein

Zn2+ and Ca2+ affect the conformation of bovine brain S100b (beta beta) protein and the exposure of its Cys-84 beta. Zn2+ binding to high-affinity sites of native S100b protected the sulfhydryl groups against the thiol-specific reagent 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate) and antagonized the Ca2+-stimulated reactivity of Cys-84 beta toward the reagent. Spectroscopic studies on the fluorescence properties of labeled S100b with the fluorescent probes bimane and acrylodan at Cys-84 beta confirmed the antagonistic effect of Ca2+ and Zn2+ with respect to the conformational properties of the protein. Measurements of fluorescence dynamics on bimane-labeled S100b indicated that the slow monomer-dimer equilibrium that characterizes the apoprotein at micromolar concentrations was shifted to the monomer form in the presence of Zn2+, a fact that could explain the previously reported Zn2+-dependent increase of S100b protein affinity for calcium. The difference in the effects of Ca2+ and Zn2+ on the reactivity of Cys-84 beta in S100b was confirmed when we observed that Ca2+ and Zn2+ have opposite actions on the formation of disulfide bridges between Cys-84 beta of the S100b beta-subunit and sulfhydryl groups on the microtubule-associated tau(2) protein. Ca2+ stimulated the covalent complex formation whereas Zn2+ inhibited it. We suggest that Zn2+ may have a modulatory function on Cys-84 beta reactivity in the S100b beta-subunit in vivo. Two types of divalent complexes between tau(2) and beta-subunit were formed in the presence of Ca2+, an equimolar complex tau(2)-beta 1 and a complex of one molecule of tau(2) with two beta-subunits, tau(2)-beta 2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Phosphorylation of tau at Ser214 mediates its interaction with 14-3-3 protein: implications for the mechanism of tau aggregation

The microtubule associated protein tau is a major component of neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer disease brain, however the neuropathological processes behind the formation of neurofibrillary tangles are still unclear. Previously, 14-3-3 proteins were reported to bind with tau. 14-3-3 Proteins usually bind their targets through specific serine/threonine –phosphorylated motifs. Therefore, the interaction of tau with 14-3-3 mediated by phosphorylation was investigated. In this study, we show that the phosphorylation of tau by either protein kinase A (PKA) or protein kinase B (PKB) enhances the binding of tau with 14-3-3 in vitro . The affinity between tau and 14-3-3 is increased 12- to 14-fold by phosphorylation as determined by real time surface plasmon resonance studies. Mutational analyses revealed that Ser214 is critical for the phosphorylation-mediated interaction of tau with 14-3-3. Finally, in vitro aggregation assays demonstrated that phosphorylation by PKA/PKB inhibits the formation of aggregates/filaments of tau induced by 14-3-3. As the phosphorylation at Ser214 is up-regulated in fetal brain, tau's interaction with 14-3-3 may have a significant role in the organization of the microtubule cytoskeleton in development. Also as the phosphorylation at Ser214 is up-regulated in Alzheimer's disease brain, tau's interaction with 14-3-3 might be involved in the pathology of this disease.     

Phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein tau by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in its tubulin binding sites

The paired helical filaments (PHF) found in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain are composed mainly of the hyperphosphorylated form of microtubule-associated protein tau (PHF-tau). It is well known that tau is a good in vitro substrate for Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II). To establish the phosphorylation sites, the longest human tau (hTau40) was bacterially expressed and phosphorylated by CaM kinase II, followed by digestion with lysyl endoprotease. The digests were subjected to liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. We found that 5 of 22 identified peptides were phosphorylated. From the tandem mass spectrometry, two phosphorylation sites (serines 262 and 356) were identified in the tubulin binding sites. When tau was phosphorylated by CaM kinase II, the binding of tau to taxol-stabilized microtubules was remarkably impaired. As both serines 262 and 356 are reportedly phosphorylated in PHF-tau, CaM kinase II may be involved in hyperphosphorylation of tau in AD brain.     

Comparison of the phosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein tau by non-proline dependent protein kinases

Microtubule-associated protein tau from Alzheimer brain has been shown to be phosphorylated at several ser/thr-pro and ser/thr-X sites (Hasegawa, M. et al., J. Biol. Chem, 267, 17047–17054, 1992). Several proline-dependent protein kinases (PDPKs) (MAP kinase, cdc2 kinase, glycogen synthase kinase-3, tubulin-activated protein kinase, and 40 kDa neurofilament kinase) are implicated in the phosphorylation of the ser-thr-pro sites. The identity of the kinase(s) that phosphorylate that ser/thr-X sites are unknown. To identify the latter kinase(s) we have compared the phosphorylation of bovine tau by several brain protein kinases. Stoichiometric phosphorylation of tau was achieved by casein kinase-1, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, Gr kinase, protein kinase C and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, but not with casein kinase-2 or phosphorylase kinase. Casein kinase-1 and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II were the best tau kinases, with greater than 4 mol and 3 mol³²P incorporated, respectively, into each mol of tau. With the sequential addition of these two kinases,³²P incorporation approached 6 mol. Peptide mapping revealed that the different kinases largely phosphorylate different sites on tau. After phosphorylation by casein kinase-1, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, Gr kinase, cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and casein kinase-2, the mobility of tau isoforms as detected by SDS-PAGE was decreased. Protein kinase C phosphorylation did not produce such a mobility shift. Our results suggest that one or more of the kinases studied here may participate in the hyperphosphorylation of tau in Alzheimer disease. Such phosphorylation may serve to modulate the activaties of other tau kinases such as the PDPKs.Abbreviations PHF paired helical filaments - A-kinase cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase - CaM kinase II calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II - C-kinase calcium-phospholipid-dependent protein kinase - CK-1 casein kinase-1 - CK-2 casein kinase-2 - Gr kinase calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase from rat cerebellum - GSK-3 glycogen synthase kinase-3 - MAP kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase - SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis     

Microtubule-associated protein tau is phosphorylated by protein kinase C on its tubulin binding domain.

We have analyzed the in vitro phosphorylation of tau protein by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, casein kinase II, and proline-directed serine/threonine protein kinase. These kinases phosphorylate tau protein in sites localized in different regions of the molecule, as determined by peptide mapping analyses. Focusing on the phosphorylation of tau by protein kinase C, it was calculated as an incorporation of 4 mol of phosphate/mol of tau. Limited proteolysis assays suggest that the phosphorylation sites could be located within the tubulin-binding domain. Direct phosphorylation of synthetic peptides corresponding to the cysteine-containing tubulin-binding region present in both fetal and adult tau isoforms demonstrates that serine 313 is modified by protein kinase C. Phosphorylation of the synthetic peptide by protein kinase C diminishes its binding to tubulin, as compared with the unphosphorylated peptide.     

Ions binding to S100 proteins. I. Calcium- and zinc-binding properties of bovine brain S100 alpha alpha, S100a (alpha beta), and S100b (beta beta) protein: Zn2+ regulates Ca2+ binding on S100b protein

Flow dialysis measurements of calcium binding to bovine brain S100 alpha alpha, S100a (alpha beta), and S100b (beta beta) proteins in 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer at pH 7.5 and 8.3 revealed that S100 proteins bind specifically 4 Ca2+ eq/mol of protein dimer. The specific calcium-binding sites had, therefore, been assigned to typical amino acid sequences on the alpha and beta subunit. The protein affinity for calcium is much lower in the presence of magnesium and potassium. Potassium strongly antagonizes calcium binding on two calcium-binding sites responsible for most of the Ca2+-induced conformational changes on S100 proteins (probably site II alpha and site II beta). Zinc-binding studies in the absence of divalent cations revealed eight zinc-binding sites/mol of S100b protein dimer that we assumed to correspond to 4 zinc-binding sites/beta subunit. Zinc binding to S100b studied with UV spectroscopy methods showed that the occupation of the four higher affinity sites and the four lower affinity sites on the protein dimer were responsible for different conformational changes in S100b structure. Zinc binding on the higher affinity sites regulates calcium binding to S100b by increasing the protein affinity for calcium and decreasing the antagonistic effect of potassium on calcium binding. Zinc-binding studies on S100a and S100 alpha alpha protein showed that the Trp-containing S100 proteins bind zinc more weakly than S100b protein. Calcium-binding studies on zinc-bound S100a proved that calcium- and zinc-binding sites were distinct although there was no increase in zinc-bound S100a affinity for calcium, as in S100b protein. Finally we provide evidence that discrepancies between previously published results on the optical properties of S100b protein probably result from oxidation of the sulfhydryl groups in the protein.     

Ions binding to S100 proteins. II. Conformational studies and calcium-induced conformational changes in S100 alpha alpha protein: the effect of acidic pH and calcium incubation on subunit exchange in S100a (alpha beta) protein

A rapid separation method for bovine brain S100 alpha alpha, S100a, and S100b protein using fast protein liquid chromatography on a Mono Q column and its application in preparation of a large amount of S100 alpha alpha protein are described. The conformation of S100 alpha alpha in the metal-free forms as well as in the presence of calcium were studied by UV absorption, circular dichroism, intrinsic fluorescence, sulfhydryl reactivity, and interaction with a hydrophobic fluorescent probe. The alpha-subunit appears to have nearly identical conformation in S100 alpha alpha and S100a protein dimers. We also confirmed that only the alpha-subunit exposes hydrophobic domains to solvent in the presence of calcium and that cysteine residues exposed upon Ca2+ binding to S100 proteins correspond to Cys 85 alpha and Cys 84 beta. Incubation of S100a with calcium and KCl proved that calcium binding to the putative calcium-binding sites (site I alpha, I beta) triggers a time- and temperature-dependent conformational change in the protein structure which decreases the antagonistic effect of KCl on calcium binding to sites II alpha and II beta and provokes subunit exchanges between protein dimers and the emergence of S100 alpha alpha and S100b (beta beta) proteins. Dynamic fluorescence measurements showed that incubating calcium at high S100a protein concentrations (greater than 10(-5) M) induces an apparent slow dimer-monomer equilibrium which might result in total subunit dissociation at lower protein concentrations. The effect of acidic pH on subunit dissociation in S100a protein (Morero, R. D., and Weber, G. (1982) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 703, 231-240) arises from conformational changes in the protein structure that are similar to those induced by Ca2+ incubation.     

Recognition of the tumor suppressor protein p53 and other protein targets by the calcium-binding protein S100B

S100B is an EF-hand containing calcium-binding protein of the S100 protein family that exerts its biological effect by binding and affecting various target proteins. A consensus sequence for S100B target proteins was published as (K/R)(L/I)xWxxIL and matches a region in the actin capping protein CapZ (V.V. Ivanenkov, G.A. Jamieson, Jr., E. Gruenstein, R.V. Dimlich, Characterization of S-100b binding epitopes. Identification of a novel target, the actin capping protein, CapZ, J. Biol. Chem. 270 (1995) 14651-14658). Several additional S100B targets are known including p53, a nuclear Dbf2 related (NDR) kinase, the RAGE receptor, neuromodulin, protein kinase C, and others. Examining the binding sites of such targets and new protein sequence searches provided additional potential target proteins for S100B including Hdm2 and Hdm4, which were both found to bind S100B in a calcium-dependent manner. The interaction between S100B and the Hdm2 and/or the Hdm4 proteins may be important physiologically in light of evidence that like Hdm2, S100B also contributes to lowering protein levels of the tumor suppressor protein, p53. For the S100B-p53 interaction, it was found that phosphorylation of specific serine and/or threonine residues reduces the affinity of the S100B-p53 interaction by as much as an order of magnitude, and is important for protecting p53 from S100B-dependent down-regulation, a scenario that is similar to what is found for the Hdm2-p53 complex.     

Characterization of the in vitro phosphorylation of human tau by tau protein kinase II (cdk5/p20) using mass spectrometry

Hyperphosphorylated tau is an integral part of the neurofibrillary tangles that form within neuronal cell bodies, and tau protein kinase II is reported to play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Recently, we reported that tau protein kinase II (cdk5/p20)-phosphorylated human tau inhibits microtubule assembly, and tau protein kinase II (cdk5/p20) phosphorylation of microtubule-associated tau results in dissociation of phosphorylated tau from the microtubules and tubulin depolymerization. In the studies reported here, a combination of mass spectrometric techniques was used to study the phosphorylation of human recombinant tau by recombinant tau protein kinase II (cdk5/p20) in vitro. The extent of phosphorylation was determined by measuring the molecular mass of phosphorylated tau using mass spectrometry. Reaction of human recombinant tau with tau protein kinase II (cdk5/p20) resulted in the formation of two major species containing either five or six phosphate groups. The specific amino acid residues phosphorylated were determined by analyzing tryptic peptides by tandem mass spectrometry via either MALDI/TOF post-source decay or by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Based on these experiments, we conclude that tau protein kinase II (cdk5/p20) can phosphorylate human tau at Thr(181), Thr(205), Thr(212), Thr(217), Ser(396) and Ser(404).     

The role of the VQIVYK peptide in tau protein phosphorylation

Although it remains unclear whether they are related to one another, tau aggregation and phosphorylation are the main pathological hallmarks of the neuronal disorders known as tauopathies. The capacity to aggregate is impaired in a variant of the tau 3R isoform that lacks residues 306–311 (nomenclature for the largest CNS tau isoform) and hence, we have taken advantage of this feature to study how phosphorylation and aggregation may be related as well as the role of this six amino acid peptide (VQIVYK). Through these analyses, we found that the phosphorylation of the tau variant was higher than that of the complete tau protein and that not only the deletion of these residues, but also the interaction of these residues, in tau 3R, with thioflavin-S augmented tau phosphorylation by glycogen synthase kinase 3. In addition, the binding of the peptide containing the residues 306–311 to the whole tau protein provoked an increase in tau phosphorylation. This observation could be physiologically relevant as may suggest that tau–tau interactions, through those residues, facilitate tau phosphorylation. In summary, our data indicate that deletion of residues VQIVYK, in tau protein produces an increase in tau phosphorylation, without tau aggregation, because the VQIVYK peptide, that favors aggregation, is missing. On the other hand, when the whole tau protein interacts with thioflavin-S or the peptide VQIVYK, an increase in both aggregation and phosphorylation occurs.     

Rapamycin decreases tau phosphorylation at Ser214 through regulation of cAMP-dependent kinase

Preventing or reducing tau hyperphosphorylation is considered to be a therapeutic strategy in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Rapamycin may be a potential therapeutic agent for AD, because the rapamycin-induced autophagy may enhance the clearance of the hyperphosphorylated tau. However, recent rodent studies show that the protective effect of rapamycin may not be limited in the autophagic clearance of the hyperphosphorylated tau. Because some tau-related kinases are targets of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), we assume that rapamycin may regulate tau phosphorylation by regulating these kinases. Our results showed that in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, treatment with rapamycin induced phosphorylation of the type IIα regulatory (RIIα) subunit of cAMP-dependent kinase (PKA). Rapamycin also induced nuclear translocation of the catalytic subunits (Cat) of PKA and decreases in tau phosphorylation at Ser214 (pS214). The above effects of rapamycin were prevented by pretreatment with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor U0126. In addition, these effects of rapamycin might not depend on the level of tau expression, because similar results were obtained in both the non-tau-expressing wild type human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells and HEK293 cells stably transfected with the longest isoform of recombinant human tau (tau441; HEK293/tau441). These findings suggest that rapamycin decreases pS214 via regulation of PKA. Because tau phosphorylation at Ser214 may prime tau for further phosphorylation by other kinases, our findings provide a novel possible mechanism by which rapamycin reduces or prevents tau hyperphosphorylation.     

Tyrosine phosphorylation of tau regulates its interactions with Fyn SH2 domains, but not SH3 domains, altering the cellular localization of tau

Recent reports have demonstrated that interactions between the microtubule-associated protein tau and the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Fyn play a critical role in mediating synaptic toxicity and neuronal loss in response to β-amyloid (Aβ) in models of Alzheimer's disease. Disruption of interactions between Fyn and tau may thus have the potential to protect neurons from Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. Here, we investigated tau and Fyn interactions and the potential implications for positioning of these proteins in membrane microdomains. Tau is known to bind to Fyn via its Src-homology (SH)3 domain, an association regulated by phosphorylation of PXXP motifs in tau. Here, we show that Pro216 within the PXXP(213-216) motif in tau plays an important role in mediating the interaction of tau with Fyn-SH3. We also show that tau interacts with the SH2 domain of Fyn, and that this association, unlike that of Fyn-SH3, is influenced by Fyn-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of tau. In particular, phosphorylation of tau at Tyr18, a reported target of Fyn, is important for mediating Fyn-SH2-tau interactions. Finally, we show that tyrosine phosphorylation influences the localization of tau to detergent-resistant membrane microdomains in primary cortical neurons, and that this trafficking is Fyn-dependent. These findings may have implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies aimed at disrupting the tau/Fyn-mediated synaptic dysfunction that occurs in response to elevated Aβ levels in neurodegenerative disease.     

Phosphorylation of tau proteins to a state like that in Alzheimer's brain is catalyzed by a calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase and modulated by phospholipids

Calcium/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinases isolated from bovine and rat brains phosphorylate the microtubule-associated tau protein in the mode that shifts the mobility of tau in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (mode I). This mode of tau phosphorylation is the one that occurs abnormally in Alzheimer's lesions. Purified tau protein in solution can be phosphorylated by the Ca2+/CaM kinases maximally to about 50% of the total tau protein. Incorporation of one phosphate group per mol of tau is sufficient to shift the protein to a slower migrating electrophoretic band. Additional phosphate incorporation into the shifted tau proteins can occur depending on protein kinase concentration. In the presence of phosphatidylserine, tau proteins were phosphorylated to an extent of 100% at a tau: phosphatidylserine ratio of 20. Phosphatidylethanolamine also stimulated tau phosphorylation by Ca2+/CaM kinase and phosphatidylinositol was found to be a potent inhibitor of tau protein phosphorylation. The direct observation that tau proteins interact with phospholipids such as phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol, resulting in a smearing of the protein band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, supports the possibility that tau protein may interact with phospholipid membranes in vivo and that tau protein phosphorylation could be modulated by the phospholipid composition of the membranes with which tau interacts.     

Direct interaction of soluble human recombinant tau protein with Abeta 1-42 results in tau aggregation and hyperphosphorylation by tau protein kinase II

We report here that aggregated beta-amyloid (Abeta) 1-42 promotes tau aggregation in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. When Abeta-mediated aggregated tau was used as a substrate for tau protein kinase II (TPK II), an 8-fold increase in the rate of TPK II-mediated tau phosphorylation was observed. The extent of TPK II-dependent tau phosphorylation increased as a function of time and Abeta 1-42 concentration, and hyperphosphorylated tau was found to be decorated with an Alzheimer's disease-related phosphoepitope (P-Thr-231). In HEK 293 cells co-expressing CT-100 amyloid precursor protein and tau, the release of Abeta 1-42 from these cells was impaired. Taken together, these in vitro results suggest that Abeta 1-42 promotes both tau aggregation and hyperphosphorylation.     

Galpha12 directly interacts with PP2A: evidence FOR Galpha12-stimulated PP2A phosphatase activity and dephosphorylation of microtubule-associated protein, tau

The Galpha(12/13) family of heterotrimeric G proteins modulate multiple cellular processes including regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Galpha(12/13) interact with several cytoskeletal/scaffolding proteins, and in a yeast two-hybrid screen with Galpha(12), we detected an interaction with the scaffolding subunit (Aalpha) of the Ser/Thr phosphatase, protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). PP2A dephosphorylates multiple substrates including tau, a microtubule-associated protein that is hyperphosphorylated in neurofibrillary tangles. The interaction of Aalpha and Galpha(12) was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation studies in transfected COS cells and by glutathione S-transferase (GST)-Galpha(12) pull-downs from cell lysates of primary neurons. The interaction was specific for Aalpha and Galpha(12) and was independent of Galpha(12) conformation. Endogenous Aalpha and Galpha(12) colocalized by immunofluorescent microscopy in Caco-2 cells and in neurons. In vitro reconstitution of GST-Galpha(12) or recombinant Galpha(12) with PP2A core enzyme resulted in approximately 300% stimulation of PP2A activity that was not detected with other Galpha subunits and was similar with GTPgammaS- and GDP-liganded Galpha(12). When tau and active kinase (Cdk5 and p25) were cotransfected in to COS cells, there was robust tau phosphorylation. Co-expression of wild type or QLalpha(12) with tau and the active kinase resulted in 60 +/- 15% reductions in tau phosphorylation. In primary cortical neurons stimulated with lysophosphatitic acid, a 50% decrease in tau phosphorylation was observed. The Galpha(12) effect on tau phosphorylation was inhibited by the PP2A inhibitor, okadaic acid (50 nm), in COS cells and neurons. Taken together, these findings reveal novel, direct regulation of PP2A activity by Galpha(12) and potential in vivo modulation of PP2A target proteins including tau.     

Separation of the different microtubule-associated tau protein species from bovine brain and their mode II phosphorylation by Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C

Bovine brain tau protein (tau) consists of four closely related phosphoproteins named tau 1, tau 2, tau 3 and tau 4, that range in size from 55 to 68 kDa (as determined by gel electrophoresis). Here we report an improved large-scale purification method for tau protein and the separation of the four individual tau protein species. The separation of the individual tau protein was accomplished by two chromatographic techniques: hydroxyapatite chromatography allowed the separation of two pairs of tau protein (tau 1 and tau 3) and (tau 2 and tau 4); fast protein liquid chromatography on a Mono Q column at basic pH achieved the resolution of the individual tau protein species in each pair derived from hydroxyapatite columns. Chromatography on the Mono Q column revealed that tau protein possesses previously unrecognized, highly reactive sulfhydryl groups that may oxidize to form intermolecular disulfide bridges. The isolation of individual species of tau in substantial quantities permitted an improved amino acid analysis that demonstrated the occurrence of cysteine and tryptophan in the protein. The availability of individual tau protein species greatly simplified the analysis for mode II phosphorylation of tau, which was found to be catalyzed by the calcium/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C. The mode II phosphorylation of tau by protein kinase C was not associated with a mobility shift for tau protein in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, in contrast to mode I phosphorylation of tau by the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase, which produces a substantial shift in mobility.     

tau binds and organizes Escherichia coli replication through distinct domains. Partial proteolysis of terminally tagged tau to determine candidate domains and to assign domain V as the alpha binding domain

The tau subunit dimerizes Escherichia coli DNA polymerase III core through interactions with the alpha subunit. In addition to playing critical roles in the structural organization of the holoenzyme, tau mediates intersubunit communications required for efficient replication fork function. We identified potential structural domains of this multifunctional subunit by limited proteolysis of C-terminal biotin-tagged tau proteins. The cleavage sites of each of eight different proteases were found to be clustered within four regions of the tau subunit. The second susceptible region corresponds to the hinge between domain II and III of the highly homologous delta' subunit, and the third region is near the C-terminal end of the tau-delta' alignment (Guenther, B., Onrust, R., Sali, A., O'Donnell, M., and Kuriyan, J. (1997) Cell 91, 335-345). We propose a five-domain structure for the tau protein. Domains I and II are based on the crystallographic structure of delta' by Guenther and colleagues. Domains III-V are based on our protease cleavage results. Using this information, we expressed biotin-tagged tau proteins lacking specific protease-resistant domains and analyzed their binding to the alpha subunit by surface plasmon resonance. Results from these studies indicated that the alpha binding site of tau lies within its C-terminal 147 residues (domain V).     

Tau phosphorylation at serine 396 and serine 404 by human recombinant tau protein kinase II inhibits tau's ability to promote microtubule assembly

In Alzheimer's disease, hyperphosphorylated tau is an integral part of the neurofibrillary tangles that form within neuronal cell bodies and fails to promote microtubule assembly. Dysregulation of the brain-specific tau protein kinase II is reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (Patrick, G. N., Zukerberg, L., Nikolic, M., De La Monte, S., Dikkes, P., and Tsai, L.-H. (1999) Nature 402, 615-622). We report here that in vitro phosphorylation of human tau by human recombinant tau protein kinase II severely inhibits the ability of tau to promote microtubule assembly as monitored by tubulin polymerization. The ultrastructure of tau-mediated polymerized tubulin was visualized by electron microscopy and compared with phosphorylated tau. Consistent with the observed slower kinetics of tubulin polymerization, phosphorylated tau is compromised in its ability to generate microtubules. Moreover, we show that phosphorylation of microtubule-associated tau results in tau's dissociation from the microtubules and tubulin depolymerization. Mutational studies with human tau indicate that phosphorylation by tau protein kinase II at serine 396 and serine 404 is primarily responsible for the functional loss of tau-mediated tubulin polymerization. These in vitro results suggest a possible role for tau protein kinase II-mediated tau phosphorylation in initiating the destabilization of microtubules.