Molecular mechanisms for activity-regulated protein synthesis in the synapto-dendritic compartment

The creation of enduring modifications in synaptic efficacy requires new pr otein synthesis. Neurons face the formidable challenge of directing these n ewly made proteins to the appropriate subset of synapses. One attractive so lution to this problem is the local translation of mRNAs that are targeted to dendrites and perhaps to synapses themselves. The molecular mechanisms m ediating such local protein synthesis, notably CPEB-mediated cytoplasmic po lyadenylation, are now being elucidated.