Nervous translation, do you get the message? A review of mRNPs, mRNA–protein interactions and translational control within cells of the nervous system

Abstract

In neurons, translation of a message RNA can occur metres away from its transcriptional origin and in normal cells this is orchestrated with perfection. The life of an mRNA will see it pass through multiple steps of processing in the nucleus and the cytoplasm before it reaches its final destination. Processing of mRNA is determined by a myriad of RNA-binding proteins in multi-protein complexes called messenger ribonucleoproteins; however, incorrect processing and delivery of mRNA can cause several human neurological disorders. This review takes us through the life of mRNA from the nucleus to its point of translation in the cytoplasm. The review looks at the various cis and trans factors that act on the mRNA and discusses their roles in different cells of the nervous system and human disorders.