Protocol for the isolation and proteomic analysis of pathological tau-seeds

STAR Protoc. 2024 Sep 20;5(3):103185. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103185. Epub 2024 Jul 29.

Abstract

The aggregation and spreading of "tau-seeds" are key for the development and progression of tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease. Here we describe the steps to isolate and analyze biochemically active tau-seeds from human, mouse, and cell origin. We detail the procedure to isolate soluble tau-seeds by size exclusion chromatography and seeding assay. The isolated tau-seed can be further analyzed to determine the interactome by mass spectrometry. This workflow identifies protein-protein interactors of tau-seeds, providing a useful tool for finding new therapeutic targets. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Martinez et al.1.

Keywords: Cell Biology; Neuroscience; Protein Biochemistry.

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Chromatography, Gel / methods
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Mice
  • Proteomics* / methods
  • Tauopathies / metabolism
  • tau Proteins* / analysis
  • tau Proteins* / isolation & purification
  • tau Proteins* / metabolism

Substances

  • tau Proteins