Abstract
Since neurons have long neurites including axons, it is crucial for the axons to transport many intracellular substances such as proteins and mitochondria in order to maintain their morphology and function. In addition, mRNAs have also been shown to be transported within axons. RNA-binding proteins form complexes with mRNAs, and regulate transport of the mRNAs to axons, as well as locally translate them into proteins. Local translation of mRNAs actively occurs during the development and damage of neurons, and plays an important role in axon elongation, regeneration, and synapse formation. In recent years, it has been reported that impaired axonal transport and local translation of mRNAs may be involved in the pathogenesis of some neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we discuss the significance of mRNA axonal transport and their local translation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia, spinal muscular atrophy, Alzheimer’s disease, and fragile X syndrome.
Highlights
Neurodegenerative diseases chronically affect neurons in a specific network of the central or peripheral nervous system
In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), changes in the localization of transactive responsive-DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) (Arai et al, 2006; Neumann et al, 2006) and fused in sarcoma (FUS) (Kwiatkowski et al, 2009; Vance et al, 2009), as well as formation of inclusion bodies containing these proteins are seen in neurons
We review dysfunctions of local translation in some typical neurodegenerative diseases
Summary
Specialty section: This article was submitted to Brain Disease Mechanisms, a section of the journal Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. Axonal Transport and Local Translation of mRNA in Neurodegenerative Diseases. MRNAs have been shown to be transported within axons. RNA-binding proteins form complexes with mRNAs, and regulate transport of the mRNAs to axons, as well as locally translate them into proteins. Local translation of mRNAs actively occurs during the development and damage of neurons, and plays an important role in axon elongation, regeneration, and synapse formation. It has been reported that impaired axonal transport and local translation of mRNAs may be involved in the pathogenesis of some neurodegenerative diseases. We discuss the significance of mRNA axonal transport and their local translation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia, spinal muscular atrophy, Alzheimer’s disease, and fragile X syndrome
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