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Tau aggregation is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including AD (Alzheimer's disease), although the mechanism underlying tau aggregation remains unclear. Recent studies show that the proteolysis of tau plays an important role in both tau aggregation and neurodegeneration. On one hand, truncation of tau may generate amyloidogenic tau fragments that initiate the aggregation of tau, which in turn can cause toxicity. On the other hand, truncation of tau may result in tau fragments which induce neurodegeneration through unknown mechanisms, independently of tau aggregation. Blocking the truncation of tau thus may represent a promising therapeutic approach for AD or other tauopathies. In the present paper, we summarize our data on tau cleavage in a cell model of tauopathy and major results on tau cleavage reported in the literature.

The alpha-glucan phosphorylases of the glycosyltransferase family are important enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The plant alpha-glucan phosphorylase, commonly called starch phosphorylase (EC 2.4.1.1), is largely known for the phosphorolytic degradation of starch. Starch phosphorylase catalyzes the reversible transfer of glucosyl units from glucose-1-phosphate to the nonreducing end of alpha-1,4-D-glucan chains with the release of phosphate. Two distinct forms of starch phosphorylase, plastidic phosphorylase and cytosolic phosphorylase, have been consistently observed in higher plants. Starch phosphorylase is industrially useful and a preferred enzyme among all glucan phosphorylases for phosphorolytic reactions for the production of glucose-1-phosphate and for the development of engineered varieties of glucans and starch. Despite several investigations, the precise functional mechanisms of its characteristic multiple forms and the structural details are still eluding us. Recent discoveries have shed some light on their physiological substrates, precise biological functions, and regulatory aspects. In this review, we have highlighted important developments in understanding the role of starch phosphorylases and their emerging applications in industry.

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Bio-plastics are either bio-based polymers or capable of degradation into simple compounds. The rising development in the production and use of bio-plastics has globally revolutionized the dependency on traditional plastics. The conventional plastics prepared from petroleum, coal and natural gas have been extensively used by humans since antiquity as a prime component of almost all the materials used in day to day life. Since, these plastics are non-biodegradable; they cause serious impact on the environment. Recent years have witnessed the introduction of a wide variety of bio-plastics derived from natural polymers such as starch, cellulose, chitin etc. These bio-plastics are now being utilised in packaging materials, electronics, medical devices; holding immense potential for utility in future. This mini-review confers about types of bio-plastics, their utility in different sectors and their future prospective.