Local Synthesis of Presynaptic RNA in Squid Optic Lobe Slices

The use of squid model systems has greatly contributed to the demonstration that active systems of protein synthesis are present in axons and nerve terminals. Furthermore, experiments with isolated or perfused giant axons have shown that axoplasmic RNA may originate from periaxonal glial cells, thus conforming the concept that a local system of gene expression is endowed to axons. Giuditta et al present evidence that local RNA synthesis may also concern the large presynaptic terminals of retinal photoreceptors.