Microtubule-associated protein tau in human prostate cancer cells: isoforms, phosphorylation, and interactions

Skye Souter; Gloria Lee

doi:10.1002/jcb.22287

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Microtubule-associated protein tau in human prostate cancer cells: isoforms, phosphorylation, and interactions

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Microtubule-associated protein tau in human prostate cancer cells: isoforms, phosphorylation, and interactions

Skye Souter and Gloria Lee

Journal of cellular biochemistry, Vol.108(3), pp.555-564

10/15/2009

DOI: 10.1002/jcb.22287

PMCID: PMC4299866

PMID: 19681044

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Abstract

Tau is a microtubule-associated protein whose function has been investigated primarily in neurons. Recently, tau expression has been correlated with increased drug resistance in various cancers of non-neuronal tissues. In this report, we investigate the tau expressed in cancerous prostate lines ALVA-31, DU 145, and PC-3. Prostate cancer tau is heat-stable and highly phosphorylated, containing many of the modifications identified in Alzheimer's disease brain tau. RT-PCR and phosphatase treatment indicated that all six alternatively spliced adult brain tau isoforms are expressed in ALVA-31 cells, and isoforms containing exon 6 as well as high molecular weight tau isoforms containing either exon 4A or a larger splice variant of exon 4A are also present. Consistent with its hyperphosphorylated state, a large proportion of ALVA-31 tau does not bind to microtubules, as detected by confocal microscopy and biochemical tests. Finally, endogenous ALVA-31 tau can interact with the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, as demonstrated by co-immunoprecipitations and in vitro protein-binding assays. Our results suggest that tau in prostate cancer cells does not resemble that from normal adult brain and support the hypothesis that tau is a multifunctional protein.

Prostatic Neoplasms - metabolism

Phosphorylation

Humans

Molecular Sequence Data

tau Proteins - metabolism

Male

Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases - metabolism

Protein Transport

Microtubules - metabolism

Protein Isoforms - metabolism

Cell Line, Tumor

Cytoskeleton - metabolism

Prostatic Neoplasms - enzymology

Protein Binding

Adult

Details

Title: Subtitle: Microtubule-associated protein tau in human prostate cancer cells: isoforms, phosphorylation, and interactions
Creators: Skye Souter - Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Department of Internal Medicine, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
Gloria Lee
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of cellular biochemistry, Vol.108(3), pp.555-564
DOI: 10.1002/jcb.22287
PMID: 19681044
PMCID: PMC4299866
NLM abbreviation: J Cell Biochem
ISSN: 0730-2312
eISSN: 1097-4644
Publisher: United States
Grant note: P20 CA103672 / NCI NIH HHS R21 AG031562 / NIA NIH HHS CA103672 / NCI NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 10/15/2009
Academic Unit: Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Immunology; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984065385802771

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