Scientific Reports (Apr 2017)

Single Molecule Translation Imaging Visualizes the Dynamics of Local β-Actin Synthesis in Retinal Axons

  • Florian Ströhl,
  • Julie Qiaojin Lin,
  • Romain F. Laine,
  • Hovy Ho-Wai Wong,
  • Vasja Urbančič,
  • Roberta Cagnetta,
  • Christine E. Holt,
  • Clemens F. Kaminski

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-00695-7
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 6

Abstract

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Abstract Local mRNA translation occurs in growing axons enabling precise control of the proteome in response to signals. To measure quantitatively the spatiotemporal dynamics of protein synthesis in growth cones, we further developed a technique for single molecule translation imaging (SMTI). We report that Netrin-1 triggers a burst of β-actin synthesis at multiple non-repetitive sites, particularly in the periphery. The response is remarkably rapid starting within 20 seconds of cue application.