Ebselen inhibits iron-induced tau phosphorylation by attenuating DMT1 up-regulation and cellular iron uptake

► The divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) inhibitor, ebselen, reduces iron influx in SH-SY5Y cells. ► Ebselen inhibits the activities of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 and glycogen synthase kinase 3β. ► Ebselen attenuates iron-induced tau phosphorylation by inhibition of DMT1 up-regulation.