References
Query Results -- Details
MGI Accession ID: MGI:2385591
J Number: J:78649
Other Accession IDs:
Title: Inhibition of neuronal maturation in primary hippocampal neurons from tau deficient mice.
Authors: Dawson HN; Ferreira A; Eyster MV; Ghoshal N; Binder LI; Vitek MP
Journal: J Cell Sci
Volume: 114
Issue: Pt 6
Date: 2001 Mar
Year: 2001
Pages: 1179-87
Review Status: Peer Reviewed
Abstract:
Conflicting evidence supports a role for tau as an essential neuronal cytoskeletal protein or as a redundant protein whose function can be fulfilled by other microtubule-associated proteins. To investigate the function of tau in axonogenesis, we created tau deficient mice by disrupting the TAU gene. The engineered mice do not express the tau protein, appear physically normal and are able to reproduce. In contrast to a previously reported tau knockout mouse, embryonic hippocampal cultures from tau deficient mice show a significant delay in maturation as measured by axonal and neuritic extensions. The classic technique of selectively enhancing axonal growth by growth on laminin substrates failed to restore normal neuronal maturation of tau knockout neurons. By mating human TAU-gene transgenic and tau knockout mice, we reconstituted tau-deficient neurons with human tau proteins and restored a normal pattern of axonal growth and neuronal maturation. The ability of human tau proteins to rescue tau-deficient mouse neurons confirms that tau expression affects the rate of neurite extension.
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