Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Isolation and Quantification of Axonal mRNAs Using Porous Membrane Inserts and RTddPCR
Published on: February 6, 2026
Teaching resources. A model for local regulation of translation near active synapses
Kenneth S Kosik1, Anna M Krichevsky
1Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5060, USA. kosik@lifesci.ucsb.edu
Abstract:
Synaptic plasticity results in enduring changes in synaptic function. Localized protein synthesis is part of this process. This animation shows how a dynamic macromolecular structure, the RNA granule, may allow localized translation of proteins at the site of active synapses and thereby serve as a key element contributing to changes in protein production leading to synaptic plasticity. This animation would be useful in teaching a neurobiology or neuroscience course, where it could be used to illustrate mechanisms for activity-dependent protein translation, or in a biochemistry course or a molecular or cellular biology course, where it could be used to illustrate mechanisms governing regulation of protein translation.
Related Concept Videos
Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Translation
Translation is the process of synthesizing proteins from the genetic information carried by messenger RNA (mRNA). Following transcription, it constitutes the final step in the expression of genes. This process is carried out by ribosomes, complexes of protein and specialized RNA molecules. Ribosomes, transfer RNA (tRNA), and other proteins produce a chain of amino acids—the polypeptide—as the end product of translation.
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Translational Regulation
Regulated mRNA Transport
Regulated mRNA Transport
Regulation of Expression Occurs at Multiple Steps
Transcription results in the generation of precursor (pre-mRNA) that consists of both exons and introns, which needs further processing before being translated to a...

