title: Synapse- and stimulus-specific local translation during long-term neuronal plasticity.
abstract: Long-term memory and synaptic plasticity require changes in gene expression and yet can occur in a synapse-specific manner. Messenger RNA localization and regulated translation at synapses are thus critical for establishing synapse specificity. Using live-cell microscopy of photoconvertible fluorescent protein translational reporters, we directly visualized local translation at synapses during long-term facilitation of Aplysia sensory-motor synapses. Translation of the reporter required multiple applications of serotonin, was spatially restricted to stimulated synapses, was transcript- and stimulus-specific, and occurred during long-term facilitation but not during long-term depression of sensory-motor synapses. Translational regulation only occurred in the presence of a chemical synapse and required calcium signaling in the postsynaptic motor neuron. Thus, highly regulated local translation occurs at synapses during long-term plasticity and requires trans-synaptic signals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA), BSRB 390B, 615 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1737, USA.
authors.forename: Dan Ohtan
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Sang Mok
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yali
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Hongik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Satoru K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Miura
authors.forename: Wayne S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Sossin
authors.forename: Kelsey C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia; D001692:Biological Transport; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019835:FMRFamide / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000235:genetics; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000235:genetics; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C419310:sensorin A protein, Aplysia; D012701:Serotonin; D019835:FMRFamide; D002118:Calcium