Tau
StressMarq Biosciences has developed an extensive range of fibrillar, oligomeric and monomeric protein preparations for use in neurodegenerative disease research including alpha synuclein, beta synuclein, gamma synuclein, tau, amyloid beta, SOD1 and TTR. Our goal is to be the world leader in the development and supply of active, pathology-inducing protein aggregates to assist scientists with disease model development and accelerate neurodegenerative disease drug discovery.
Tau Pre-formed Fibrils (PFFs), Filaments & Monomers
Tau Pre-formed Fibrils (PFFs)
StressMarq manufactures active tau protein constructs to help researchers study tau aggregation, a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s. StressMarq was the first commercial source of active tau pre-formed fibrils (PFFs) for neuroscience research, and offers the broadest range of tau constructs to researchers worldwide.
The process of tau aggregation can be seeded by active tau PFFs, which recruit monomers to form larger tau fibrils. This has been demonstrated in thioflavin T assays where an increase in fluorescence – indicative of tau fibrillization – is seen when active tau PFFs are combined with active tau monomers. Some tau PFFs have been injected into P301L mice, where they seed tau aggregation and induce tau pathology in the hippocampus.
Product List | PFFs
Tau & Alpha Synuclein Co-Polymer Fibrils (Mixed Fibrils/PFFs)
StressMarq’s co-polymer fibrils are developed by co-incubating monomers together to form fibrils that contain both tau and alpha synuclein proteins within a single fibril. These co-polymer fibrils have been demonstrated to seed fibril formation of both tau monomers and of a mixture of alpha synuclein and tau monomers.
Product List | Co-Polymer Fibrils
Human Tau-352 (fetal 0N3R) & Human Alpha Synuclein Co-Polymer Fibrils, catalog# SPR-494 |
Human Tau-441 (2N4R) & Human Alpha Synuclein Co-Polymer Fibrils, catalog# SPR-495 |
Tau Monomers
StressMarq’s tau monomers are capable of aggregation. They do not show neurodegenerative activity.
Product List | Monomers
Selected Scientific & Product Information
Monomers and PFFs (fibrils) are available in a variety of lengths. Tau-441 has a molecular weight of approximately 46 kDa, whereas K18 tau has a molecular weight of approximately 15 kDa. dGAE is a fragment of the tau protein consisting of amino acids 297-391. It is one of the core PHF subunits,1 includes both microtubule-binding domains and proline-rich regions, and assembles into PHF-like fibrils in vitro without additives or templates.2
Tau proteins are available as wild-type or with a variety of mutations. P301S and P301L mutations occur in exon 10 and are associated with frontotemporal dementia. The P301S mutation reduces tau’s ability to assemble microtubules, and the P301L mutation promotes beta-sheet formation and the formation of PHFs. Both P301S and P301L mutant transgenic mouse models are used in tau research. The K280 deletion mutation is also associated with frontotemporal dementia and promotes fibrillization into paired helical filaments (PHFs) in the absence of heparin and other inducers. The C322A mutation also increases tau’s ability to form PHFs.2
PFFs induce tau aggregation; full-length PFFs may be more effective in seeding fibrillization, but a combination of both can be particularly toxic to neurons. Most tau constructs are fibrillized using a heparin scaffold; soluble tau filaments are fibrillized using a linear anionic scaffold. dGAE tau and K18 K280 deletion tau both fibrillize without scaffolds.
StressMarq offers certain Tau PFFs expressed in baculovirus. Baculovirus tau PFFs are post-translationally modified and fibrillize without a scaffold.
1. Novak, M. et al. (1993) EMBO J. 12, 365-370.
2. Al-Hilaly, Y.K. et al. (2017) J. Mol. Biol. 429(23):3650-3665.
Scientific Publications Using StressMarq’s Tau Proteins
Most Recent Tau Citations
- ApoE4 expression disrupts tau uptake, trafficking, and clearance in astrocytes. Eisenbaum, M. et al. Glia 2024
- Catalog# SPR-329-A488: Human Recombinant Tau-441 (2N4R) P301S Mutant Pre-formed Fibrils: ATTO 488
- Catalog# SPR-479 & Catalog# SPR-480: Human Recombinant Tau-441 (2N4R) Wild-Type Monomers & Pre-formed Fibrils
- APOE3ch alters microglial spread and suppresses Aβ-induced seeding and spread. Chen, Y. et al. Cell 2023
- Catalog# SPR-329: Human Recombinant Tau-441 (2N4R) P301S Mutant Pre-formed Fibrils
- In vivo near-infrared fluorescence imaging selective for soluble amyloid beta aggregates using y-shaped BODIPY derivative. Akasaka, T. et al. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2023
- Catalog# SPR-477: Human Recombinant Tau (K18) Delta K280 Mutant Pre-formed Fibrils
Supplemental Learning Materials
Technical Support Resources
- Handling Instructions | Tau
- Protocols | Tau
- Sonication Protocol | PFFs
- Frequently Asked Questions | Neuro Proteins
Selected Media from the StressMarq YouTube Channel
- Video | Tau Pre-formed Fibrils for Neurodegenerative Disease Modelling
- Webinar | Tools for Alzheimer’s & Parkinson’s Research | Presented by Dr. Jacob McPhail,Lead R&D Scientist, StressMarq
- Open Theatre | Fibrillar & Oligomeric Constructs of Neurodegenerative Disease Asssociated Peptides | Presented by Dr. Ariel Louwrier, President & CEO, StressMarq
Selected Articles from the StressMarq Blog
- Tau Fibrillar Constructs | Learn about tau fibrils, filaments, isoforms, and mutations of interest.
- ApoE4 Influences Astrocytic Tau Uptake & Clearance | ApoE4 expression disrupts mechanisms by which astrocytes interact with and eliminate extracellular tau.
- Halting the Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease | The APOE3 Christchurch mutatation is examined as a protective variant against onset of familial Alzheimer’s disease.
- Utilizing Alpha Synuclein & Tau in the Development of Conformational Antibodies | A novel systematic workflow for selection of PD & AD disease-specific conformational antibodies.
Have a question about Tau?