+Search query
-Structure paper
| Title | Structural evidence that RNA contributes to polymorphism of tau amyloid fibrils. |
|---|---|
| Journal, issue, pages | iScience, Vol. 29, Issue 4, Page 115501, Year 2026 |
| Publish date | Apr 17, 2026 |
Authors | Romany Abskharon / Yi Xiao Jiang / Michael R Sawaya / Peng Ge / Jeffrey Zhang / David R Boyer / Joshua L Dolinsky / Justin Pi / Duilio Cascio / Feng Guo / David S Eisenberg / ![]() |
| PubMed Abstract | RNA colocalizes with tau deposits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and drives tau aggregation . Previously, we determined a cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of fibrils of full-length tau ...RNA colocalizes with tau deposits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and drives tau aggregation . Previously, we determined a cryogenic-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of fibrils of full-length tau bound to unfractionated mammalian RNA, revealing a small tau C-terminal core. Here, we present the cryo-EM structure of fibrils of full-length recombinant tau bound to unfractionated mammalian RNA seeded by AD-extracted tau fibrils. This structure reveals an expanded tau C-terminal core resembling AD tau fibrils. RNA sequencing identified 18S ribosomal RNA as the primary fibril-bound species. Next, we determined the cryo-EM structure of fibrils of full-length recombinant tau bound to mammalian 18S ribosomal RNA, revealing a core that consists of the R2 to R4 repeat domains previously seen in pathological tau fibrils. All our recombinant RNA-tau fibrils dissolve upon RNase treatment. Tau fibrils adopt distinct folds in the presence of different RNAs, suggesting RNA is a cofactor capable of shaping tau fibril polymorphism. |
External links | iScience / PubMed:42006351 / PubMed Central |
| Methods | EM (helical sym.) |
| Resolution | 3.1 - 3.3 Å |
| Structure data | EMDB-70224, PDB-9o8e: EMDB-70227, PDB-9o8h: |
| Chemicals | ![]() ChemComp-CL: |
| Source |
|
Keywords | PROTEIN FIBRIL / amyloid fibril |
Movie
Controller
Structure viewers
About Yorodumi Papers



Authors
External links




homo sapiens (human)
Keywords