mRNA at the synapse: analysis of a synaptosomal preparation enriched in hippocampal dendritic spines.
Previous studies have demonstrated that the branched spines of the mossy fiber-CA3 hippocampal synapse contain a particularly large number of polyribosomes (Chicurel and Harris, 1989, 1992). We analyzed a preparation of synaptosomes isolated from this region and have found it to contain a restricted RNA population: certain mRNAs, presumably derived from the dendritic spines and the fine astrocytic processes surrounding the pre- and postsynaptic elements of the synapse, are enriched in the synaptosome preparation as compared to the total hippocampus; other mRNAs are less prevalent or altogether absent. In addition, neural BC1, a small noncoding RNA thought to be involved in pre- or posttranslational regulatory processes in dendrites, is a major RNA component of the dendritic spine. These results support the hypothesis that local translational regulation of gene expression may be important in establishing and modulating synaptic function.
Chicurel
M E
ME
Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
Terrian
D M
DM
Potter
H
H
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; D002458:Cell Fractionation; D003712:Dendrites / Q000378:metabolism*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000378:metabolism; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016708:Synaptophysin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014404:Tubulin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D015347:RNA Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017470:Receptors, Glutamate; D016708:Synaptophysin; D014404:Tubulin; D016875:tau Proteins; D011494:Protein Kinases; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase