Figure 6.

FTDP-17 missense mutations induce tau aggregation and disrupt MT bundling. CHO cells expressing Wt and mutant tau were plated onto glass coverslips and allowed to settle overnight. After fixation in 0.3% glutaraldehyde, cells were permeabilized with Triton X-100 and immunostained with recombinant tau (17026) (A–D and I–L) and α-tubulin (E–H and I–L). Colocalization and bundling of tau and tubulin are readily apparent in cells with Wt (A, E, and I) and RW (B, F, and J) tau. This pattern is completely disrupted with the expression of the ΔK and VPR tau mutants. Note that in CHO cells expressing these tau mutants, tau and tubulin no longer colocalize (K and L), the tubulin network is not bundled (G and H), and aggregates of tau are apparent (C and D). Bar, 30 μm at 20×.