Figure 2.

Transport of RNAs containing A2RE and A2RE-like elements in hippocampal neurons. Images of neurons in primary culture microinjected with fluorescently tagged RNA. After allowing 30 min after injection for RNA transport, the cells were fixed and stained for MAP2 protein to define the cell morphology. Dual-channel confocal microscopy was used to visualize the RNA (left panels) and protein (right panels). Each of the injected RNAs contained either A2RE or an A2RE-like element in the 3′UTR. RNAs bearing A2RE, A2RE11, or MAP2A elements were detected in granules in the soma and throughout the neurites (arrows). The insets show magnified regions. Scale bar, 15 μm.