Phosphoregulated FMRP phase separation models activity-dependent translation through bidirectional control of mRNA granule formation.

ABSTRACT: Activity-dependent translation requires the transport of mRNAs within membraneless protein assemblies known as neuronal granules from the cell body toward synaptic regions. Translation of mRNA is inhibited in these granules during transport but quickly activated in response to neuronal stimuli at the synapse. This raises an important question: how does synaptic activity trigger translation of once-silenced mRNAs? Here, we demonstrate a strong connection between phase separation, the process underlying the formation of many different types of cellular granules, and in vitro inhibition of translation. By using the Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP), an abundant neuronal granule component and translational repressor, we show that FMRP phase separates in vitro with RNA into liquid dro

SUBMITTER: Tsang B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6410804 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature