Atomic Force Microscopy Applied to the Study of Tauopathies

Author(s)

do Nascimento Amorim, Maria do Socorro ; Franca, Alefe Roger Silva ; Santos-Oliveira, Ralph ; Sanches, Jonas Rodrigues ; Melo, Thamys Marinho ; Pinto, Bruno Araujo Serra ; Barbosa, Leandro R. S. ; Alencar, Luciana Magalhaes Rebelo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ACS Chemical Neuroscience; v. 15, n. 4, p. 17-pg., 2024-02-02.

Abstract

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a scanning probe microscopy technique which has a physical principle, the measurement of interatomic forces between a very thin tip and the surface of a sample, allowing the obtaining of quantitative data at the nanoscale, contributing to the surface study and mechanical characterization. Due to its great versatility, AFM has been used to investigate the structural and nanomechanical properties of several inorganic and biological materials, including neurons affected by tauopathies. Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases featured by aggregation of phosphorylated tau protein inside neurons, leading to functional loss and progressive neurotoxicity. In the broad universe of neurodegenerative diseases, tauopathies comprise the most prevalent, with Alzheimer's disease as its main representative. This review highlights the use of AFM as a suitable research technique for the study of cellular damages in tauopathies, even in early stages, allowing elucidation of pathogenic mechanisms of these diseases. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/26131-5 - The chaperome: study of the relationship of the structure of its components and the maintenance of proteostasis
• Grantee: Carlos Henrique Inacio Ramos
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants