Okazaki Institute for Integrative Biology

RESEARCH THEMES

Local translation in neuronal dendrites and its roles in the formation of synapses and neuronal networks

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Figure. Visualization of local translation of green fluorescent protein (GFP) near dendritic RNA granules Cultured neurons were transfected with both RNG105-red fluorescent protein (RFP) and GFP reporter mRNA fused to mRNA that is sufficient to be recruited into RNA granules. Shown are time-lapse images of RNG105-RFP and translated GFP in a dendrite. Arrowheads denote the position of an RNA granule where RNG105-RFP is localized. Translation of GFP was increased near the granule after brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) stimulation.

We have identified and characterized RNG105, an RNA-binding protein highly expressed in the brain and localized to RNA granules in dendrites. RNG105 is involved in the formation of synapses and neuronal networks through controlling mRNA transport and local translation in dendrites. We are further studying the molecular mechanism of the dendritic local translation and its roles in the formation of synapses and neuronal networks by identifying and characterizing RNG105-associated mRNAs and proteins. We are also investigating the possibility that RNG105 and its associated factors have roles in other cell types and under different kinds of stimulation.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

1. N. Shiina, K. Shinkura & M. Tokunaga: "A novel RNA-binding protein in neuronal RNA granules: regulatory machinery for local translation" J. Neurosci. 25, 4420-4434 (2005)
2. Y. Mimori-Kiyosue, N. Shiina & S. Tsukita: "Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein moves along microtubules and concentrates at their growing ends in epithelial cells" J. Cell Biol. 148, 505-518 (2000)
3. A. Kubo, H. Sasaki, A. Yuba-Kubo, S. Tsukita & N. Shiina: "Centriolar satellites: molecular characterization, ATP-dependent movement toward centrioles and possible involvement in ciliogenesis"c J. Cell Biol. 147, 969-980 (1999)
4. N. Shiina & S. Tsukita: "Mutations at phosphorylation sites of Xenopus microtubule-associated protein 4 affect its microtubule-binding ability and chromosome movement during mitosis" Mol. Biol. Cell 10, 597-608 (1999)