Promotes microtubule assembly and stability, and might be involved in the establishment and maintenance of neuronal polarity. The C-terminus binds axonal microtubules while the N-terminus binds neural plasma membrane components, suggesting that tau functions as a linker protein between both. Axonal polarity is predetermined by tau localization (in the neuronal cell) in the domain of the cell body defined by the centrosome (By similarity).
Subcellular locations: Cytoplasm, Cytosol, Cell membrane, Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton, Cell projection, Axon, Cell projection, Dendrite
Mostly found in the axons of neurons, in the cytosol and in association with plasma membrane components.
Expressed in neurons.