Fig. 3.

Extrinsic stimuli elicit changes in subcellular mRNA localization and translation. (A) A polarizing stimulus elicits asymmetric localization and translation of mRNAs encoding β-actin and actin regulators on the near-stimulus side of the leading edge of migrating cells, such as fibroblasts and axonal growth cones, thus contributing to polarized cell movement and directional steering. The dashed outline denotes the post-stimulus trajectory. (B) Electrical input from presynaptic contacts selectively induces localized trafficking and translation of specific mRNAs in dendrites that mediate changes in spine morphology (dashed outline) and plasticity. Several aspects of these models are speculative.