[Protein synthesis in the axon]

According to one of the doctrines of neuroscience, protein synthesis in neuronal cells takes place only in the perikaryon and dendrites. The first indirect evidence on the possibility of protein synthesis in the axon appeared a long time ago, but convincing proof of protein synthesis in that compartment of the neuron was obtained only recently. Axoplasm contains numerous cytoskeletal and cytosolic proteins which are carried by slow axonal transport. Axonal length may vary from several micrometers to one meter or more. Thus, the transport of protein molecules along the axon may take days, weeks and even months. In urgent response of the neuron to the changes in the conditions of its functioning, the local protein synthesis may save the time and energy required for transportation of newly synthesized proteins. Moreover, intraaxonal protein synthesis is essential in order to maintain the protein contents of the axoplasm, since all the proteins possess limited half-life and undergo biological degradation during their slow transport in the axon. This paper reviews these problems and examines the significance of the local protein synthesis in the axon for realization of specific functions of the neuron.