Phosphorylated tau protein 217 (p-tau217)

Phosphorylated tau protein 217 (p-tau217) is a form of the tau protein that is specifically phosphorylated at threonine residue 217. Tau is a microtubule-associated protein encoded by the MAPT gene, crucial for stabilizing neuronal microtubules and maintaining neuronal structure and function[2][3]. In Alzheimer’s disease and other tauopathies, tau becomes pathologically hyperphosphorylated, which disrupts its normal role, leading to microtubule destabilization, protein aggregation, formation of neurofibrillary tangles, and ultimately neurodegeneration[1][3]. p-tau217 is emerging as a particularly sensitive and specific biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease, outperforming other phospho-tau variants (such as p-tau181) for differential diagnosis, disease progression monitoring, and as an endpoint in therapeutic development and clinical trials[4][5][6][8]. It is detectable in blood and cerebrospinal fluid and correlates closely with underlying brain pathology, making it a promising tool for early diagnosis and patient stratification in neurodegenerative diseases[1][5][8]. Targeting pathological p-tau217 species is being explored in therapies aiming to neutralize toxic aggregates without disrupting physiological tau function[1].

Other names

Phospho-tau217p-Tau 217Tau protein phosphorylated at threonine 217pThr217 tau

Antibodies or molecules targeting toxic conformers of phosphorylated tau aim to neutralize or prevent pathological aggregation, reduce tau tangle load, and slow neurodegeneration[1][5]