Paired Helical Filament-Tau (PHF-tau)

Paired helical filament-tau (PHF-tau) refers to the aggregated form of tau protein that assembles into insoluble fibers known as paired helical filaments (PHFs). These structures are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders collectively termed tauopathies. In healthy neurons, tau is a microtubule-associated protein that stabilizes microtubules in axons. The pathological aggregation of tau into PHFs leads to formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), a key neuropathological feature in Alzheimer’s disease. Misfolded PHF-tau can be released from degenerating neurons, internalized by neighboring cells, and seed further intracellular aggregation.

Other names

Neurofibrillary TanglesNFT-tauAggregated TauInsoluble Tau

Inhibition of tau aggregation; promotion of tau clearance; prevention of tau phosphorylation