Ribosome-Associated Vesicles promote activity-dependent local translation

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cell Biology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Local protein synthesis in axons and dendrites is crucial for synaptic plasticity.
• The mechanisms governing the transport and activity-dependent deployment of the protein synthesis machinery to distal neuronal sites are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the components of the protein synthesis machinery in distal neuronal processes.
• To elucidate the mechanisms for activity-driven deployment of ribosomes to local translation sites.

Main Methods:

• Cryo-electron tomography
• Volume electron microscopy
• Live-cell imaging
• In vivo studies

Main Results:

• Ribosome-Associated Vesicles (RAVs) were identified as a dynamic platform for ribosome transport to distal neuronal processes.
• Chemically-induced long-term potentiation stimulation led to RAV accumulation at distal sites, promoting local translation.
• Activity-dependent changes in RAV generation and dynamics were observed in vivo, with tubular ER shaping proteins implicated in RAV biogenesis.

Conclusions:

• A novel mechanism for ribosomal delivery to distal neuronal sites via RAVs has been identified.
• This mechanism promotes activity-dependent local translation, crucial for synaptic plasticity.
• The findings shed light on the regulation of local protein synthesis in neurons.