Localization Of Camkiiα mrnas to Dendritic Spines Visualized By High Resolution In Situ Hybridization

Observations that polyribosomes are localized near dendritic spines and beneath synapses has led to a hypothesis of synapse-specific gene expression in which local synthesis would provide a mechanism to influence synaptic structure and strength (l).The active transport of specific mRNAs into dendrites and spines may be a regulated mechanism to target synaptic and regulatory proteins to postsynaptic locations and influence synaptic activity. RNA granules labeled with the vital dye, SYT014, were observed to localize into developing neurites in response to the neurotrophin, NT-3 (2). Neurotrophins have been shown to enhance synaptic activity by a process which requires new protein synthesis (3). The identity and source of newly synthesized proteins which are required to enhance synaptic strength in response to NT-3 are unknown. CaMKIIαRNA localization into dendrites has been shown to occur during long term potentiation (4).