The accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau is a common feature of several dementias. Tau is one of the brain microtubule-associated proteins. Here we discuss tau's functions in microtubule assembly and stabilization and with regard to its interactions with other proteins. We describe and analyze important post-translational modifications: hyperphosphorylation, ubiquitination, glycation, glycosylation, nitration, polyamination, proteolysis, acetylation, and methylation. We discuss how these post-translational modifi cations can alter tau's biological function. We analyze the role of mitochondrial health in neurodegeneration. We propose that microtubules could be a therapeutic target and review different approaches. Finally, we consider whether tau accumulation or its conformational change is related to tau-induced neurodegeneration, and propose a mechanism of neurodegeneration.Keywords: tau; phosphorylation; neurodegeneration; tauopathies; mitochondria; microtubules; tubulin; kinases; phosphatases; Alzheimer's disease ·Review· IntroductionAlzheimer 's disease (AD), first described by Alois Alzheimer more than 100 years ago [1] , is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by an insidious onset with irreversible cognitive declines that lead to profound mental deterioration causing dementia [2] . Two major forms of lesion characterize AD: amyloid as diffuse neurotic plaques primarily composed of the Aβ peptide [3] , which are mainly insoluble deposits of protein and cellular material, and neurofibrillary tangles composed of fi lamentous hyperphosphorylated tau protein that builds up inside the neuron [4,5] .Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is a highly conserved transmembrane protein [6] believed to play a role in synapse formation, synaptic plasticity, and neuronal survival [7][8][9] .In AD, APP is cleaved by β-and γ-secretases leading to the overproduction of an abnormal proteolytic byproduct called amyloid beta (Aβ) [10] . Upon cleavage fragments of Aβ of various sizes are released from the membrane and aggregate in the brain to form the characteristic plaques seen in AD. Plaques are composed primarily of the 40 and 42 amino-acid peptide fragments Aβ40 and Aβ42, the latter being the predominant species. In addition, Aβ42 is more prone to aggregation and deposition and therefore the cause of neurotoxicity, as well as synaptic loss [11] .The second lesion in AD is formed by aggregates of the microtubule-associated protein tau, which forms intracytoplasmic neuronal inclusions or neurofibrillary tangles when hyperphosphorylated [12] . Tau is associated with neurons of the central nervous system [13] and its main biological function is promoting the in vitro assembly and stabilization of microtubules in the cytoskeleton [14,15] . Tau is a phosphoprotein that is encoded by a single gene, MAPT, located on chromosome 17q21 [16] ; alternative splicing of the gene produces six major isoforms expressed in the adult human brain [17] . Isoforms derive their names from the number of microtubule-binding repeat s...

A key characteristic of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies is the progressive accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles mainly composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. In the present study, we use transgenic Drosophila melanogaster as a model to analyze in vivo the effect of expressing pseudophosphorylated tau (S199E/T212E/T231E/S262E tau) on pathological human tau (PH-tau) and on the FTDP-17 mutant R406W (PH-tauR406W). We used two different inducers that produced different levels of tau expression. The expression of these forms of tau did not significantly affect the lifespan of the flies. Flies expressing PH-tau displayed a clear locomotor dysfunction compared to those expressing normal tau regardless of the level of expression. At lower level of expression, this pathological phenotype was found to be age-dependent. At 35 days old, PH-tau flies showed the strongest locomotor impairment compare to flies expressing human tau or control flies (46%, 18% and 18% of flies remained on the bottom of the vials, respectively). At higher levels of expression, PH-tau flies showed these defects at seven days of age and the dysfunction also became significant for flies expressing tauR406W and PH-tauR406W. Whole brain immunochemistry analysis revealed that PH-tau as well as PH-tauR406W appeared to have abnormal mushroom body structures, critical structures involved in olfactory learning and memory in Drosophila. Severe olfactory learning deficits were induced by the expression of PH-tau. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that PH-tau induced a toxic effect in Drosophila, as flies develop both an abnormal motor deficit, associated with disruption of the mushroom body neurons, and impaired olfactory learning.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder that affects motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, causing progressive loss of voluntary muscle control 1,2 . ALS heterogeneity includes the age of manifestation, the rate of progression, and the anatomical sites of symptom onset. In addition, disease-causing mutations in specific genes have been identified and are used to catalog different subtypes of ALS 3 . Interestingly, several ALS-associated genes have been shown to affect immune functions, and a variety of aberrant inflammatory events have been reported in patients and mouse models 4-11 , suggesting that specific immune features can also account for ALS heterogeneity. ALS4 is characterized by juvenile-onset and slow progression 12 . After experiencing mild symptoms during their childhood, ALS4 patients show motor difficulties by their 30s, and most of them require walkers or wheelchairs by their 50s. ALS4 is caused by dominant mutations in the gene SETX. Using Setx knock-in (KI) mice carrying the ALS4 causative L389S mutation, we discovered an immunological signature consisting of clonally activated CD8 T cells specifically in the central nervous system and blood of KI animals. Expansion of antigen-specific CD8 T cells mirrors disease progression. Bone marrow transplantation experiments indicate an essential role of the immune system in ALS4 neurodegeneration. Furthermore, we found that clonally expanded CD8 T cells circulate in the peripheral blood of ALS4 patients. Our results provide evidence of an antigen-specific CD8 T cell response linked to ALS4, and can serve not only to unravel specific disease mechanisms, but as a potential biomarker of disease activity. MainALS4 is caused by heterozygous mutation in the SETX gene, which encodes for the Senataxin protein, an ubiquitously expressed nuclear ATP-dependent DNA/RNA helicase [13][14][15][16] . Senataxin can resolve DNA/RNA hybrids and regulate RNA metabolism 14,17 . Also, we demonstrated that lack of Senataxin results in increased type I interferon (IFN-I) responses upon infection 16 ,

These findings suggest that phosphorylation of tau is a critical event in neurodegeneration. The combination of phosphorylation sites can generate a gain of toxic function for tau. The mechanism of tau toxicity might involve not only the microtubule system but also interference with other cellular compartments such as the nucleus and the actin cytoskeleton.

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Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) is a rare, benign neoplasm of neural crest origin that most commonly occurs in the first year of life. The craniofacial area is affected 90% of the time with the maxilla being the affected site in the majority of cases. It has a recurrence rate of up to 27% and is associated with malignant transformation in up to 6.5% of patients. The current case describes the clinical presentation and management of a 3-month old male infant with MNTI of the maxilla. Following initial presentation, the tumor grew rapidly to compromise the aerodigestive tract. Surgical resection was performed and the adjacent bone was burred. There has been no clinical recurrence over a 4-year period of follow up.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorder that affects motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, causing progressive loss of voluntary muscle control1,2. ALS heterogeneity includes the age of manifestation, the rate of progression, and the anatomical sites of symptom onset. In addition, disease-causing mutations in specific genes have been identified and are used to catalog different subtypes of ALS3. Interestingly, several ALS-associated genes have been shown to affect immune functions, and a variety of aberrant inflammatory events have been reported in patients and mouse models4-11, suggesting that specific immune features can also account for ALS heterogeneity. ALS4 is characterized by juvenile-onset and slow progression12. After experiencing mild symptoms during their childhood, ALS4 patients show motor difficulties by their 30s, and most of them require walkers or wheelchairs by their 50s. ALS4 is caused by dominant mutations in the gene SETX. Using Setx knock-in (KI) mice carrying the ALS4 causative L389S mutation, we discovered an immunological signature consisting of clonally activated CD8 T cells specifically in the central nervous system and blood of KI animals. Expansion of antigen-specific CD8 T cells mirrors disease progression. Bone marrow transplantation experiments indicate an essential role of the immune system in ALS4 neurodegeneration. Furthermore, we found that clonally expanded CD8 T cells circulate in the peripheral blood of ALS4 patients. Our results provide evidence of an antigen-specific CD8 T cell response linked to ALS4, and can serve not only to unravel specific disease mechanisms, but as a potential biomarker of disease activity.

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