A novel RNA-binding protein in neuronal RNA granules: regulatory machinery for local translation

Local translation in neuronal dendrites is an important basis for long-term synaptic plasticity, and RNA granules in the dendrites are involved in the local translation. Here, we identify RNG105 (RNA granule protein 105), a novel RNA-binding protein, as a component of the RNA granules in dendrites of hippocampal neurons. The RNG105-localizing RNA granules contain mRNAs, the translational products of which play key roles in synaptic plasticity. RNG105 has an ability to repress translation both in vitro and in vivo, consistent with the finding that the RNA granule is translationally arrested in the basal conditions. Dissociation of RNG105 from the RNA granules is induced by BDNF, a growth factor responsible for synaptic plasticity. The RNG105 dissociation is coincident with the induction of local translation near the granules. These findings suggest that RNG105 is a translational repressor in the RNA granules and provide insight into the link between RNG105 dynamics and local translational regulation.