Tau protein phosphatases in Alzheimer's disease: The leading role of PP2A

Tau phosphorylation is regulated by a balance between tau kinase and phosphatase activities. Disruption of this equilibrium was suggested to be at the origin of abnormal tau phosphorylation and thereby that might contributes to tau aggregation. Thus, understanding the regulation modes of tau dephosphorylation is of high interest in determining the possible causes at the origin of the formation of tau aggregates and to elaborate protection strategies to cope with these lesions in AD. Among the possible and relatively specific interventions that reverse tau phosphorylation is the stimulation of certain tau phosphatases. Here, we reviewed tau protein phosphatases, their physiological roles and regulation, their involvement in tau phosphorylation and the relevance to AD. We also reviewed the most common compounds acting on each tau phosphatase including PP2A. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.