Tau phosphorylation also relieves inhibition of lysosome transport by tau in neurons and alters the distribution of lysosomes in axons.

Cooperatively-bound tau inhibits kinesin-1 (KIF5B) motility, and inhibition is relieved by phosphorylation. In contrast, kinesin-3 (KIF1A) is strongly inhibited by both phosphoresistive and phosphomimetic tau.

Similarly, phosphorylation blocks the ability of tau to bind cooperatively in neurons

A few highlights from our new preprint:

On taxol-stabilized microtubules In vitro, wild-type (WT) and phosphor-resistive (AP) tau form well-defined envelopes, while phosphomimetic (E14) tau does not bind cooperatively.

Very happy to share our latest work on tau. We show that tau binds cooperatively in living neurons. Phosphorylation disrupts tau envelopes, and misregulates axonal transport.

www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...

Steven M. Block | 2025 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science
fi.edu/en/awards/la...
youtu.be/yeZJXeQo3JQ?... via @YouTube

Great chance for Canadian researchers to attend a great scientific meeting in Canada!

Competition for microtubule lattice spacing between a microtubule expander and compactor. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.02.28.640185v1