Dendritic translocation of the rat ferritin H chain mRNA

To elucidate the mechanism regulating the selective transport of mRNAs to s ynaptic sites, we compared the synaptosomal mRNAs with those from the foreb rain using the differential display method. The ferritin H chain mRNA was f ound to be highly enriched in the synaptosomes. In situ hybridization for t he ferritin H chain mRNA in the cultured dissociated neurons and in the hip pocampal brain slices demonstrated its existence in the dendritic region. T hese data clearly indicate the selective translocation of the ferritin H ch ain mRNA into the dendrites and suggested the local expression of ferritin at the synapse. (C) 2000 Academic Press.