The molecular machinery that translates the messenger RNAs into protein is located in ribosomes. Ribosomes are present within neurons in or near synapses, where they are particularly abundant in postsynaptic sites. Evidence suggests that local protein synthesis is required for the 'strengthening' (increased size and responsivity) of synapses that is believed to be and essential process in the encoding of memories. However, there are many different proteins that regulate protein synthesis and only recently have neuroscientists begun to provide answers the following questions: 1) how does activation of a synapse affects local protein synthesis? 2) what signaling pathways are involved? 3) what are the new proteins synthesized locally? 4) which newly produced proteins are critical for memory consolidation? 5) what are the roles of the newly synthesized proteins in memory consolidation? 6) How is synaptic activity-dependent protein synthesis altered in developmental and neurodegenerative disorders? In this episode I talk with Professor Eric Klann, Director of the Center for Neural Science at New York University, about his laboratory's contributions to the answering of these important questions.

Klann NYU page:

https://as.nyu.edu/faculty/eric-klann.html?challenge=d06e90d7-4d8f-4b88-9d8c-10b73beb60f1

Review article on protein synthesis and memory consolidation

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8930706/pdf/nihms-1782052.pdf

Integrated stress response and protein synthesis

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10964249/pdf/nihms-1970879.pdf

Neuron translatomes and memory consolidation

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13443933/pdf/41467_2026_Article_74455.pdf

Activity-dependent protein synthesis in neurons requires microglial-metabolic coupling.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13245367/pdf/nihms-2176826.pdf