8Q2K

Tau - AD-MIA3

Summary for 8Q2K

• Entry DOI: 10.2210/pdb8q2k/pdb
• EMDB information: 18111
• Descriptor: Isoform Tau-D of Microtubule-associated protein tau (1 entity in total)
• Functional Keywords: amyloid, tau, protein fibril
• Biological source: Homo sapiens (human)
• Total number of polymer chains: 6
• Total formula weight: 240016.64

Authors

Lovestam, S.,Li, D.,Scheres, S.H.W.,Goedert, M. (deposition date: 2023-08-02, release date: 2023-08-30, Last modification date: 2024-01-24)

Primary citation

Lovestam, S.,Li, D.,Wagstaff, J.L.,Kotecha, A.,Kimanius, D.,McLaughlin, S.H.,Murzin, A.G.,Freund, S.M.V.,Goedert, M.,Scheres, S.H.W.
Disease-specific tau filaments assemble via polymorphic intermediates.
Nature, 625:119-125, 2024

PubMed Abstract: Intermediate species in the assembly of amyloid filaments are believed to play a central role in neurodegenerative diseases and may constitute important targets for therapeutic intervention. However, structural information about intermediate species has been scarce and the molecular mechanisms by which amyloids assemble remain largely unknown. Here we use time-resolved cryogenic electron microscopy to study the in vitro assembly of recombinant truncated tau (amino acid residues 297-391) into paired helical filaments of Alzheimer's disease or into filaments of chronic traumatic encephalopathy. We report the formation of a shared first intermediate amyloid filament, with an ordered core comprising residues 302-316. Nuclear magnetic resonance indicates that the same residues adopt rigid, β-strand-like conformations in monomeric tau. At later time points, the first intermediate amyloid disappears and we observe many different intermediate amyloid filaments, with structures that depend on the reaction conditions. At the end of both assembly reactions, most intermediate amyloids disappear and filaments with the same ordered cores as those from human brains remain. Our results provide structural insights into the processes of primary and secondary nucleation of amyloid assembly, with implications for the design of new therapies.

PubMed: 38030728
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06788-w

Experimental method

ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (2.88 Å)