Translational regulation of neuronal electrical properties.
The nervous system has an in-built capability to adjust its responsiveness to excitation according to the history of electrical activity faced by the neurons embedded within its networks. This control over excitability represents a form of homeostasis and is exhibited at multiple stages in the flow of information from the genome to the expression and modification of protein products. Information on the nature of the homeostatic phenomenon at some of these stages is still limited and emerging. This article outlines the various stages at which such neuronal intrinsic plasticity has been observed and draws particular attention to the role of the translation repressor protein, Pumilio, as an important factor in the process. The study of this protein is providing insights into the regulation of neuronal excitability and offers an important research target with benefits to investigators in many areas of neuroscience.
Weston
Andrew J
AJ
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
Baines
Richard A
RA
D000818:Animals; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C074333:pum protein, Drosophila