title: Function and translational regulation of mRNA in developing axons.
abstract: The capacity to synthesize proteins in axons is limited to early stages of neuronal development, while axons are undergoing elongation and pathfinding. Although the roles of local protein synthesis are not fully understood, it has been implicated in regulating the morphological plasticity of growth cones. Recent studies have identified specific mRNAs that are translated in growth cones in response to specific extracellular signals. In this review, we discuss the functional relevance of axonal protein translation for developing axons, the differences in translational capacity between developing and mature vertebrate axons, and possible pathways governing the specific translational activation of axonal mRNAs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Ave., Box 70, New York, NY 10021, USA. ulh2001@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hengst
authors.forename: Samie R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Jaffrey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D020439:Growth Cones / Q000502:physiology; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins