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Updated: May 31, 2026
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In vivo Interrogation of Central Nervous System Translatome by Polyribosome Fractionation
Published on: April 30, 2014
A unique transcriptome at the brain-environment interface: local translation in the rat olfactory epithelium
Marie-Annick Persuy1, Christine Baly, Régine Monnerie
1INRA, UR 1197, Neurobiologie de l'Olfaction et Modélisation en Imagerie, F-78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France; IFR 144 Neuro-Sud Paris, France. marie-annick.persuy@jouy.inra.fr
Brain Research
|July 12, 2011
Summary
The apical part of the rat olfactory epithelium has a unique set of genes for defense and survival, not olfaction. These genes are translated locally to rapidly respond to environmental challenges.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Olfactory epithelium cells, including olfactory sensory neurons (OSN), face constant external aggressions.
- A local translation mechanism in the apical olfactory epithelium (AOE) might enable rapid responses to stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transcriptome of the AOE and its functional significance.
- To determine if local translation occurs in the AOE.
Main Methods:
- Purification and sequencing of mRNA from AOE.
- Classification of identified transcripts into functional groups.
- Analysis of mRNA expression in sub-cellular fractions and after OSN degeneration.
Main Results:
- Identified 348 mRNA species in AOE, with 220 encoding proteins of known function.
- The major functional class (40%) related to defense, detoxification, and innate immunity.
- Investigated transcripts were present in ciliated dendrites, down-regulated after OSN degeneration, and co-purified with polysomes, indicating local translation.
Conclusions:
- The AOE possesses a unique transcriptome primarily involved in defense and survival, not olfaction.
- Evidence supports the local translation of this transcriptome in supporting cells and OSN ciliated dendrites.
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