Driving tau into phase-separated liquid droplets [Molecular Biophysics] (Journal of Biological Chemistry)

Liquid-liquid phase separation of tau protein has been implicated in normal biological function as well as neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer`s. However, knowledge about these links is still scant, and the mechanisms driving tau into liquid droplets are poorly understood. A simplified in vitro system that uses unmodified human tau protein now suggests electrostatic interactions provide the basic instructions underlying liquid droplet formation.