Coordination between molecular transport and local translation in neurons

The maturation of the cerebral cortex is a long process that begins during fetal life and ends just after adolescence. Among the important events that contribute to the development of the cortex, the functional integration of neurons into neural networks represents a key step which, when disrupted, can lead to the development of neuropsychiatric diseases.

The functional integration of neurons into brain circuits requires the formation of connections between them through a specialized structure called the synapse. Synapses are usually located far from the neuronal "body" where protein synthesis is important. These structures therefore require the local production of selected proteins for their development and, later, to allow the propagation of nerve impulses.

In an article which has just been published in the journal Trends in Cell Biology, Laurent Nguyen's team (Laboratory of Molecular Regulation of Neurogenesis - GIGA-Stem Cells) reveals the importance of neuronal transport and local translation processes for the formation and proper functioning of synapses. Indeed, local protein translation is only possible if the molecular elements involved in this process, such as ribosomes, transfer RNAs and messenger RNAs, are brought from the cell body to the synapses via microtubule-dependent transport.

This review focuses on the transport mechanisms of elements of the protein translation machinery and suggests the existence of a coordination mechanism between neuronal transport and local protein translation for the establishment of a functional neuronal network.

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Laurent Nguyen