Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Isolation and Quantification of Axonal mRNAs Using Porous Membrane Inserts and RTddPCR
07:06

Isolation and Quantification of Axonal mRNAs Using Porous Membrane Inserts and RTddPCR

Published on: February 6, 2026

Rapid important paper Messenger RNA in squid axoplasm

A Giuditta1, T Hunt, L Santella

  • 1Department of General and Environmental Physiology, University of Naples, Via Mezzocannone 8, 80134 Naples, Italy.

Neurochemistry International
|May 25, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Squid giant axonoplasm contains messenger RNA (mRNA) for diverse proteins. This mRNA is found in the microsomal fraction, suggesting a role in protein synthesis within the axon.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The squid giant axon is a model system for studying axonal transport and neuronal function.
  • Axonal proteins are known to be synthesized in the isolated giant axon, likely by associated glial cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and origin of messenger RNA (mRNA) within the axoplasm of the squid giant axon.
  • To determine if axoplasmic mRNA codes for proteins synthesized within the axon.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a translation assay to detect mRNA activity in squid giant axonoplasm.
  • Fractionated axoplasm to isolate the "microsomal" component.

Main Results:

  • Significant amounts of mRNA were detected in the squid giant axonoplasm.
  • This mRNA codes for a heterogeneous group of proteins, specified by both glial and neuronal perikaryal mRNA.
  • Axoplasmic mRNA was found to be associated with the "microsomal" fraction.

Conclusions:

  • The squid giant axonoplasm contains mRNA derived from both glial and neuronal sources.
  • Axoplasmic mRNA is localized to the "microsomal" fraction, a site associated with protein synthesis.
  • The precise role of axoplasmic mRNA in protein synthesis requires further investigation.

More Related Videos

Detection of Axonally Localized mRNAs in Brain Sections Using High-Resolution In Situ Hybridization11:24

Detection of Axonally Localized mRNAs in Brain Sections Using High-Resolution In Situ Hybridization

Published on: June 17, 2015

Visualizing and Tracking Endogenous mRNAs in Live Drosophila melanogaster Egg Chambers07:39

Visualizing and Tracking Endogenous mRNAs in Live Drosophila melanogaster Egg Chambers

Published on: June 4, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Ribosomal RNA Synthesis02:53

Ribosomal RNA Synthesis

Ribosome synthesis is a highly complex and coordinated process involving more than 200 assembly factors. The synthesis and processing of ribosomal components occurs not only in the nucleolus but also in the nucleoplasm and the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
Leaky Scanning02:28

Leaky Scanning

During most eukaryotic translation processes, the small 40S ribosome subunit scans an mRNA from its 5' end until it encounters the first start AUG codon. The large 60S ribosomal subunit then joins the smaller one to initiate protein synthesis. The location of the translation initiation is largely determined by the nucleotides near the start codon as there may be multiple translation initiation sites present on the mRNA.  Marilyn Kozak discovered that the sequence RCCAUGG (where R stands for...
Regulated mRNA Transport02:22

Regulated mRNA Transport

In eukaryotes, transcription and translation are compartmentalized; an mRNA is first synthesized in the nucleus and then selectively transported to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis. Before transport, a pre-mRNA undergoes several steps of post-transcriptional modifications including splicing, 5' capping, and the addition of a poly-adenine tail. Various proteins bind to the pre-mRNA during these modifications. The mRNA transport takes place with the help of multiple proteins playing specific...
Nuclear Export of mRNA02:31

Nuclear Export of mRNA

Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
Nuclear Export of mRNA02:31

Nuclear Export of mRNA

Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
Types of RNA01:20

Types of RNA

Three main types of RNA are involved in protein synthesis: messenger RNA (mRNA), transfer RNA (tRNA), and ribosomal RNA (rRNA). These RNAs perform diverse functions and can be broadly classified as protein-coding or non-coding RNA. Non-coding RNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression in response to developmental and environmental changes. Non-coding RNAs in prokaryotes can be manipulated to develop more effective antibacterial drugs for human or animal use.
RNA Performs Diverse...