The ELAV family of RNA-binding proteins in synaptic plasticity and long-term memory

Abstract

The mechanisms of de novo gene expression and translation of specific gene transcripts have long been known to support long-lasting changes in synaptic plasticity and behavioral long-term memory. In recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that gene expression is heavily regulated not only on the level of transcription, but also through post-transcriptional gene regulation, which governs the subcellular localization, stability, and likelihood of translation of mRNAs. Specific families of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) bind transcripts which contain AU-rich elements (AREs) within their 3' UTR and thereby govern their downstream fate. These post-transcriptional gene regulatory mechanisms are coordinated through the same cell signaling pathways that play critical roles in long-term memory formation. In this review, we discuss recent results that demonstrate the roles that these ARE-binding proteins play in LTM formation.

Keywords: AU-rich elements; ELAV; Hu; Long-term memory; Post-transcriptional regulation.

Figure 1

Following transcription and RNA processing, ARE-containing mRNAs are susceptible to degradation mediated by RNA-binding proteins, such as AUF1. If ELAV is able to bind the mRNA, however, the transcript is stabilized, increasing translation probability and conferring the ability to be transported to distinct subcellular compartments.