Molecular control of local translation in axon development and maintenance

• Published in: Current opinion in neurobiology 2018-08, Vol.51, p.86-94
• Main Authors: Cioni, Jean-Michel, Koppers, Max, Holt, Christine E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Axonal Transport - physiology; Axons - physiology; Protein Biosynthesis - physiology; Protein Transport - genetics; Protein Transport - physiology; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; RNA-Binding Proteins - genetics; RNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism
• ISSN: 0959-4388; 1873-6882
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2018.02.025

•Many mRNAs are translated in developing and mature CNS axons in vivo.•Axonal translation is critical for synaptogenesis, remodelling and survival.•RNA-binding proteins are essential for axonal mRNA localization.•Multiple mechanisms regulate the translation of axonal mRNAs. The tips of axons are often far away from the cell soma where most proteins are synthesized. Recent work has revealed that axonal mRNA transport and localised translation are key regulatory mechanisms that allow these distant outposts of the cell to respond rapidly to extrinsic factors and maintain axonal homeostasis. Here, we review recent evidence pointing to an increasingly broad role for local protein synthesis in controlling axon shape, synaptogenesis and axon survival by regulating diverse cellular processes such as vesicle trafficking, cytoskeletal remodelling and mitochondrial integrity. We further highlight current research on the regulatory mechanisms that coordinate the localization and translation of functionally linked mRNAs in axons.