Figure 1.

Simplified model of protein and mRNA trafficking in eukaryotic cells. Typically, proteins are thought to be synthesized in the soma by free ribosomes (A) or endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-bound ribosomes (B) and then transported to different destinations in the cells where they elicit their function. Some mRNAs associate to RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and are transported in RNA granules (C) by microtubules using motor proteins kinesis and dynein (Cⁱ) or by actin using myosin (Cⁱⁱ). Once they reach the target compartment the mRNAs are translated into protein.