Translation and the cytoskeleton: a mechanism for targeted protein synthesis

This review describes the critical evidence that in eukaryotic cells polyribosomes, mRNAs and components of the protein synthetic machinery are associated with the cytoskeleton. The role of microtubules, intermediate filaments and microfilaments are discussed; at present most evidence suggests that polyribosomes interact with the actin filaments. The use of non-ionic detergent/deoxycholate treatment in the isolation of cytoskeletal-bound polysomes is described and the conclusion reached that at low salt concentrations this leads to mixed preparations of polysomes derived from both the cytoskeleton and the endoplasmic reticulum. At present the best approach for isolation of cytoskeletal-bound polysomes appears to involve extraction with salt concentrations greater than 130 mM after an initial non-ionic detergent treatment. Such polysomes appear to be enriched in certain mRNAs and thus it is suggested that they are involved in translation of a unique set of proteins. The evidence for mRNA localisation is presented and the role of the cytoskeleton in transport and localisation of RNA discussed. Recent data on the role of the 3' untranslated region in the targeting of mRNAs both to particular regions of the cell and for translation on cytoskeletal-bound polysomes is described. The hypothesis is developed that the association of polysomes with the cytoskeleton is the basis of a mechanism for the targeting of mRNAs and the compartmentalization of protein synthesis.