(318/610): RNA binding and transport proteins staufen and fragile x mental retardation protein are expressed by sensory neurons and localize to peripheral axons of nociceptors

Abstract

Neuronal proteins have been traditionally viewed as being derived solely from the soma, wherein the preponderance of ribosomal/translational machinery resides. However, accumulating evidence indicates that non-somal sites, such as the dendrite and axon, are capable of a more autonomous role in terms of new protein synthesis. While this mechanism allows for more rapid, on-demand regulation of neuronal structure and function, it remains unclear precisely how the requisite RNA is trafficked into the axon for this purpose.