Ironing out tau's role in parkinsonism.

Stankowski, Jeannette N; Dawson, Valina L; Dawson, Ted M · Nat Med · 2012

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

Parkinson's disease affects more than five million people worldwide, yet no therapeutic has been identified that can slow or halt the progression of this debilitating disease. A new study in tau knockout mice suggests that tau deficiency causes impaired ferroportin-coupled iron export, by retention of the amyloid precursor protein, a neuronal ferroxidase partner, in the endoplasmic reticulum. This leads to parkinsonism through intracellular iron accumulation and degeneration of dopamine neurons (pages X-Y).

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