Molecular Interactions between Tau Protein and TIA1: Distinguishing Physiological Condensates from Pathological Fibrils

The interaction of tau protein with other key proteins essential for stress granule formation determines their functional and pathological impact. In a biological framework, the synergy between Alzheimer’s associated tau protein and the stress granule core protein TIA1 is widely recognized. However, the molecular details of this association remain unclear. In this study, we throw light on the importance of the state in which the TIA1 exists in mediating its association with the tau protein. Investigations were carried out on the three repeat constructs of tau (K19) and different structures formed by TIA1. Specifically, the condensate formed by TIA1 full-length (TIA1-FL) protein as well as fibril formed by low complexity domain of TIA1 (TIA1-LCD). The dynamics of K19 inside TIA1-FL condensates and the aggregation kinetics of K19 in the presence of TIA1-LCD fibrils were examined using various biophysical techniques. Relaxation-based solution NMR spectroscopic investigations suggest a weak interaction with TIA1 condensates and indicated a reduction in the dynamics of K19 within these TIA1 condensates. In contrast, a significant interaction was observed between K19, and TIA1-LCD fibrils primarily mediated through ³²¹KCGS³²⁴ and ³⁰⁶VQIVYKPVDLSKV³¹⁷. Our findings emphasize that the interaction between Tau and TIA1 varies depending on whether TIA1 is in its physiological condensate form or its pathological fibril state.