Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
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Home > Novel Key Players in the Development of Tau Neuropathology: Focus on the 5-Lipoxygenase.

TitleNovel Key Players in the Development of Tau Neuropathology: Focus on the 5-Lipoxygenase.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsLauretti, E, Praticò, D
JournalJ Alzheimers Dis
Volume64
Issues1
PaginationS481-S489
Date Published2018
ISSN1875-8908
Abstract

Tauopathies belong to a large group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by progressive accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau. Tau is a microtubule binding protein which is necessary for their assembly and stability. However, tau affinity for microtubules mainly depends on its phosphorylation status, which is the result of a delicate balance between kinases and phosphatases activity. Any significant changes in this equilibrium can promote tau fibrillation, aggregation, neuronal dysfunction, and ultimately neuronal loss. Despite intensive research, the molecular mechanism(s) leading to tau hyperphosphorylation are still unknown and there is no cure for these diseases. Development of an effective strategy that successfully prevents tau excessive phosphorylation and/or tau aggregation may offer a real therapeutic opportunity for these less investigated neurodegenerative conditions. Beside tau, chronic brain inflammation is a common feature of all tauopathies and 5-lipoxygenase, an inflammatory enzyme, is upregulated in brain regions affected by tau pathology. Recently, in vitro studies and preclinical investigations with animal models of tauopathy have implicated 5-lipoxygenase in the regulation of tau phosphorylation through activation of the cyclin-dependent kinase 5 pathway, supporting the novel hypothesis that this protein is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of tauopathies. In this article, we will discuss the contribution of the 5-lipoxygenase signaling pathway in the development of tau neuropathology, and the promising potential that drugs targeting this enzyme activation hold as a novel disease-modifying therapeutic approach for tauopathies.

DOI10.3233/JAD-179931
Alternate JournalJ. Alzheimers Dis.
PubMed ID29758943
PubMed Central IDPMC6058721
Grant ListR01 HL112966 / HL / NHLBI NIH HHS / United States
RF1 AG051684 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
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Source URL: https://www.j-alz.com/content/novel-key-players-development-tau-neuropathology-focus-5-lipoxygenase