# Novel optogenetic method for control of protein synthesis

> **NIH NIH R21** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $234,375

## Abstract

Project Summary
Local protein synthesis allows for the rapid expression of proteins on-site and on-demand, as opposed to
transporting pre-existing proteins from elsewhere. In neurons, the site-specific translation of mRNAs provides a
means for restricting gene expression to individual structures that can be far from the cell body, such as
synapses and growth cones. Dysregulated protein synthesis is implicated in a variety of neurodevelopmental
and cognitive disorders. However, despite the importance of local translation for normal neuronal function, the
most widely used methods for manipulating protein synthesis suffer from low spatial or temporal resolution. In
this proposal we will generate new optogenetic methods for regulating the local translation of individual mRNA
molecules. These methods will be broadly applicable to different mRNAs for use in a wide array of organisms
and cell types. The first aim develops a new loss-of-function approach to inhibit local translation, while the
second aim generates a complementary gain-of-function method to acutely stimulate local protein synthesis.
As a proof of principle, we will use these methods to determine both the requirement and sufficiency of local β-
actin translation for synaptic plasticity using primary hippocampal neurons. In response to neuronal activity, β-
actin mRNA is rapidly transported within dendrites to active synapses where it is translated, and the nascent β-
actin protein is specifically retained within the active dendritic spine. In this proposal, we will develop new tools
that will provide researchers with exquisite control over post-transcriptional gene regulation in specific
subcellular compartments.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10217672
- **Project number:** 1R21MH120414-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Kenneth Myers
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $234,375
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-03-15 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10217672

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10217672, Novel optogenetic method for control of protein synthesis (1R21MH120414-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10217672. Licensed CC0.

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