RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article T1 Tau and spectraplakins promote synapse formation and maintenance through Jun kinase and neuronal trafficking A1 Voelzmann, Andre A1 Okenve-Ramos, Pilar A1 Qu, Yue A1 Chojnowska-Monga, Monika A1 Caño Espinel, Manuela del A1 Prokop, Andreas A1 Sánchez Soriano, Natalia K1 Biología K1 Biology K1 Neurología K1 Neurology K1 Medicina K1 Medicine AB The mechanisms regulating synapse numbers during development and ageing are essential for normal brain function and closely linked to brain disorders including dementias. Using Drosophila, we demonstrate roles of the microtubule-associated protein Tau in regulating synapse numbers, thus unravelling an important cellular requirement of normal Tau. In this context, we find that Tau displays a strong functional overlap with microtubule-binding spectraplakins, establishing new links between two different neurodegenerative factors. Tau and the spectraplakin Short Stop act upstream of a three-step regulatory cascade ensuring adequate delivery of synaptic proteins. This cascade involves microtubule stability as the initial trigger, JNK signalling as the central mediator, and kinesin-3 mediated axonal transport as the key effector. This cascade acts during development (synapse formation) and ageing (synapse maintenance) alike. Therefore, our findings suggest novel explanations for intellectual disability in Tau deficient individuals, as well as early synapse loss in dementias including Alzheimer’s disease. PB eLife Sciences Publications YR 2016 FD 2016 LK http://hdl.handle.net/10259/8206 UL http://hdl.handle.net/10259/8206 LA eng NO This work was made possible through funding by the BBSRC (BB/M007456/1) to NSS, by the BBSRC (BB/I002448/1) and Wellcome Trust ISSF (105610/Z/14/Z) to AP, and the German Science Foundation (DFG; VO 2071/1-1) to AV. The Bioimaging Facility microscopes used in this study were purchased with grants from the BBSRC, The Wellcome Trust and the University of Manchester Strategic Fund, and the Manchester Fly Facility where flies were kept and genetic crosses performed has been supported by funds from The University of Manchester and the Wellcome Trust (087742/Z/08/Z). We thank Meredith Lees and Egor Zindy for experimental help, Bassem Hassan, Roland Brandt and Nigel Hooper for helpful comments on the manuscript, Thomas Schwarz, Sean Sweeney, Bassem Hassan, Nick Lowe and Talila Volk for kindly providing reagents. Stocks obtained from the Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center (NIH P40OD018537) were used in this study. DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Burgos RD 23-nov-2024