Infographic: Beyond the Nucleus: mRNA Localization in Neurons

3’ UTRs encode information about mRNA localization, translation efficiency, and stability (1).¹ mRNA is packaged with translational machinery into transport granules, which hitch a ride on motor proteins that drive along microtubule highways (2).²

Following stimulation, cruising transport granules arrive at synapses and unload their contents. The mRNA anchors to the neuronal spine and undergoes translation (3). With repeated stimulation, synapses undergo synaptic plasticity whereby protein accumulation leads to spine head enlargement and strengthened connectivity (4).

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