AUTHOR=Fuster-Matanzo Almudena , Llorens-Martín María , Jurado-Arjona Jerónimo , Avila Jesus , Hernández Félix 

TITLE=Tau Protein and Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neuroscience

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2012

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2012.00104

DOI=10.3389/fnins.2012.00104

ISSN=1662-453X

ABSTRACT=<p>Tau protein is a microtubule-associated protein found in the axonal compartment that stabilizes neuronal microtubules under normal physiological conditions. Tau metabolism has attracted much attention because of its role in neurodegenerative disorders called tauopathies, mainly Alzheimer disease. Here, we review recent findings suggesting that axonal outgrowth in subgranular zone during adult hippocampal neurogenesis requires a dynamic microtubule network and tau protein facilitates to maintain that dynamic cytoskeleton. Those functions are carried out in part by tau isoform with only three microtubule-binding domains (without exon 10) and by presence of hyperphosphorylated tau forms. Thus, tau is a good marker and a valuable tool to study new axons in adult neurogenesis.</p>