RNA-binding proteins and neural development: a matter of targets and complexes

Abstract

RNA-binding proteins control multiple steps of nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA processing including alternative splicing, stabilization, transport and translational repression of RNAs. Here we present existing evidence showing that RNA-binding proteins expressed in the nervous system are required in many steps of its development and play multiple roles during the life of a neuron. We describe emerging views based on recent studies strongly suggesting that RNA-binding proteins cooperate actively within neurons in large multifunctional complexes to regulate the flow of information encoded in ribonomes in a coordinated fashion.