title: Molecular determinants and physiological relevance of extrasomatic RNA localization in neurons.
abstract: Specific sorting of mRNA molecules to subcellular microdomains is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism by which the polarized nature of eukayotic cells may be established and maintained. The molecular composition of the RNA localization machinery is complex. Sequence motifs within RNA molecules to be transported, called cis-acting elements, and proteins, referred to as trans-acting factors, are essential components. Transport of the resulting ribonucleoprotein complexes to distinct cytoplasmic regions occurs along the cytoskeletal network. The pathway is observed in organisms as diverse as yeast and human and it plays a critical role in development and cell differentiation. Moreover, RNA localization takes place in differentiated cell types including neurons. There is ample evidence to suggest that sorting of defined mRNA species to the neurites of nerve cells and on-site translation has an impact on various aspects of nerve cell biology.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Cell Biochemistry and Clinical Neurobiology, University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr 52, D-20246, Hamburg, Germany. emohr@uke.uni-hamburg.de
authors.forename: Evita
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mohr
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Richter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals / Q000235:genetics*; D021381:Protein Transport; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012313:RNA