Trimeric Tau Is Toxic to Human Neuronal Cells at Low Nanomolar Concentrations

Figure 2

Schematic of nonreactive monomer, reactive monomer, and reactive oligomer. Reactivity implies the ability to form an intermolecular disulfide linkage. Intramolecular disulfide linkage causes formation of nonreactive tau monomer. The free thiols in a reactive monomer allow formation of an intermolecular or intramolecular disulfide linkage. Reactive oligomer has one or more free thiols readily forming disulfide linkage with reactive monomeric tau for the oligomer extension purpose.