Neuronal transport granules: Single occupancy vehicles

ScienceDaily (Mar. 26, 2012) ? Protein precursors destined for the spiny extensions of neurons travel single file, according to a study by Sanjay Tyagi, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).

The study recently was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Proteins involved in transmissions at the axon tips and synapses of neurons travel there in precursor form (known as messenger RNA, or mRNA) as cargo of a structure known as a transport granule. "The idea is that the mRNAs located at the synapse will be translated [into protein] on demand," explains Tyagi, an associate professor in the Department of Medicine at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School and at the school's Public Health Research Institute. "And if more than one copy of a protein is required on site," Tyagi adds, "it can be produced from a single mRNA."

Some investigators have suggested that these mRNAs carpool with others in the same granule. But the study by Tyagi and colleagues shows that these mRNAs proceed single file, with only one mRNA per granule. Although it may seem more efficient to transport multiple mRNAs in a single trip, this may not allow the neuron the flexibility it needs for the proper formation and functioning of synapses.

An increased understanding of how these mRNAs are transported to synapses may help scientists unravel the longstanding mystery behind memory generation, which requires the formation of new synapses and the modification of old ones.

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), via Newswise.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. M. Batish, P. van den Bogaard, F. R. Kramer, S. Tyagi. Neuronal mRNAs travel singly into dendrites. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2012; 109 (12): 4645 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1111226109

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120326132543.htm

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