What is Tau?

Tau is a microtubule-associated protein (gene MAPT) that stabilises neuronal microtubules; abnormal hyperphosphorylation and aggregation into neurofibrillary tangles is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies.

Total-tau and phospho-tau are key fluid biomarkers of neurodegeneration. Assay Genie offers tau and phospho-tau antibodies, recombinant protein and ELISA kits for CSF, plasma and cell-based research.

Transmission & symptoms

Tau is a microtubule-associated protein (gene MAPT) that stabilises neuronal microtubules and regulates axonal transport. In Alzheimer disease and other tauopathies, tau becomes abnormally hyperphosphorylated and aggregates into neurofibrillary tangles, contributing to neurodegeneration.

Diagnosis & serology

Total-tau and phosphorylated-tau (e.g. p-Tau181, p-Tau217, p-Tau231) are established fluid biomarkers of neurodegeneration in CSF and, increasingly, plasma. ELISA and cell-based assays quantify tau species and phosphorylation.

Research applications

Research tools cover total and phospho-tau antibodies and ELISA kits, related neurodegeneration markers (amyloid-beta, alpha-synuclein, neurofilament) and kinases such as GSK-3beta that drive tau phosphorylation.