Key protein identified for treating Alzheimer's disease: Study

A team of researchers from the University of Cologne has made an important contribution to understanding the role of the tau protein in Alzheimer's disease. A specific variant of the tau protein, known as the 1N4R isoform, mediates the harmful effects of protein clumping in human brain cells. Using human induced pluripotent stem cells, the international team demonstrated that a specific variant of the tau protein, known as the 1N4R isoform, mediates the harmful effects of protein clumping in human brain cells. If a person suffers from Alzheimer's disease, certain proteins accumulate in brain cells, forming clumps that restrict normal cell function or even cause the cell to die. Findings of the study: Dr Buchholz and Dr Zempel's team have used state-of-the-art techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and live-cell imaging in human induced pluripotent stem cells to demonstrate that the 1N4R tau isoform is responsible for the pathological effects on the cell.