Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein tau (encoded by MAPT) and several tau kinases have been implicated in neurodegeneration, but only MAPT has a proven role in disease. We identified mutations in the gene encoding tau tubulin kinase 2 (TTBK2) as the cause of spinocerebellar ataxia type 11. Affected brain tissue showed substantial cerebellar degeneration and tau deposition. These data suggest that TTBK2 is important in the tau cascade and in spinocerebellar degeneration.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Aged, 80 and over
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Animals
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Brain / pathology
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Codon, Nonsense*
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Frameshift Mutation
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Humans
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Mice
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Phosphorylation
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
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Rats
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Spinocerebellar Degenerations / genetics*
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Spinocerebellar Degenerations / pathology
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tau Proteins / metabolism
Substances
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Codon, Nonsense
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tau Proteins
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tau-tubulin kinase
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Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases