title: Translational control at the synapse: role of RNA regulators.
abstract: Translational control of gene expression is instrumental in the regulation of eukaryotic cellular form and function. Neurons in particular rely on this form of control because their numerous synaptic connections need to be independently modulated in an input-specific manner. Brain cytoplasmic (BC) RNAs implement translational control at neuronal synapses. BC RNAs regulate protein synthesis by interacting with eIF4 translation initiation factors. Recent evidence suggests that such regulation is required to control synaptic strength, and that dysregulation of local protein synthesis precipitates neuronal hyperexcitability and a propensity for epileptogenic responses. A similar phenotype results from lack of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), indicating that BC RNAs and FMRP use overlapping and convergent modes of action in neuronal translational regulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The Robert F. Furchgott Center for Neural and Behavioral Science, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iacoangeli
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tiedge
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051860:Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013569:Synapses / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D051860:Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1; D012313:RNA