Unveiling the Link Between TAF15 Amyloid Filaments and Early-Onset Dementia

Researchers have discovered the presence of TAF15 amyloid filaments in the brains of individuals with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) associated with FET proteins. This finding adds TAF15 to the list of proteins, including tau, TDP-43, and α-synuclein, that form amyloid filaments associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The study used cryo-electron microscopy to determine the structure of the TAF15 filaments, which were found in both upper and lower motor neurons in individuals with motor neuron pathology. The presence of TAF15 amyloid filaments characterizes FTLD-FET and provides new insights into the molecular basis of this neurodegenerative disease.