Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Structure of a Protein Phosphatase 2A Holoenzyme: Insights into B55-Mediated Tau Dephosphorylation

Journal Article · · Molecular Cell

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulates many essential aspects of cellular physiology. Members of the regulatory B/B55/PR55 family are thought to play a key role in the dephosphorylation of Tau, whose hyperphosphorylation contributes to Alzheimer's disease. The underlying mechanisms of the PP2A-Tau connection remain largely enigmatic. Here, we report the complete reconstitution of a Tau dephosphorylation assay and the crystal structure of a heterotrimeric PP2A holoenzyme involving the regulatory subunit B?. We show that B? specifically and markedly facilitates dephosphorylation of the phosphorylated Tau in our reconstituted assay. The B? subunit comprises a seven-bladed ? propeller, with an acidic, substrate-binding groove located in the center of the propeller. The ? propeller latches onto the ridge of the PP2A scaffold subunit with the help of a protruding ? hairpin arm. Structure-guided mutagenesis studies revealed the underpinnings of PP2A-mediated dephosphorylation of Tau.

Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) National Synchrotron Light Source
Sponsoring Organization:
Doe - Office Of Science
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-98CH10886
OSTI ID:
980549
Report Number(s):
BNL--93467-2010-JA
Journal Information:
Molecular Cell, Journal Name: Molecular Cell Vol. 31
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Structure of the Protein Phosphatase 2A Holoenzyme
Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2005 · Cell · OSTI ID:930171

Structural Mechanism of Demethylation and Inactivation of Protein Phosphatase 2A
Journal Article · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2007 · Cell · OSTI ID:959560

Structural and Biochemical Insights into the Regulation of Protein Phosphatase 2A by Small t Antigen of SV40
Journal Article · Sun Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2006 · Nature Structural and Molecular Biology · OSTI ID:930678