Intra-axonal protein synthesis in development and beyond

Author ManuscriptProteins can be locally produced in the periphery of a cell, allowing a rapid and spatially precise response to the changes in its environment. This process is especially relevant in highly polarized and morphologically complex cells such as neurons. The study of local translation in axons has evolved from being primarily focused on developing axons, to the notion that also mature axons can produce proteins. Axonal translation has been implied in several physiological and pathological conditions, and in all cases it shares common molecular actors and pathways as well as regulatory mechanisms. Here, we review the main findings in these fields, and attempt to highlight shared principles.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the context of the FCT funded University of Minho MD/PhD Program (SFRH/BD/52322/2013). U.H. was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (R01MH096702), the BrightFocus Foundation, and the Irma T. Hirschl Trus