RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Axonal Localization of Transgene mRNA in Mature PNS and CNS Neurons JF The Journal of Neuroscience JO J. Neurosci. FD Society for Neuroscience SP 14481 OP 14487 DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2950-11.2011 VO 31 IS 41 A1 Dianna E. Willis A1 Mei Xu A1 Christopher J. Donnelly A1 Chhavy Tep A1 Marvin Kendall A1 Marina Erenstheyn A1 Arthur W. English A1 N. Carolyn Schanen A1 Catherine B. Kirn-Safran A1 Sung Ok Yoon A1 Gary J. Bassell A1 Jeffery L. Twiss YR 2011 UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/31/41/14481.abstract AB Axonal mRNA transport is robust in cultured neurons but there has been limited evidence for this in vivo. We have used a genetic approach to test for in vivo axonal transport of reporter mRNAs. We show that β-actin's 3′-UTR can drive axonal localization of GFP mRNA in mature DRG neurons, but mice with γ-actin's 3′-UTR show no axonal GFP mRNA. Peripheral axotomy triggers transport of the β-actin 3′-UTR containing transgene mRNA into axons. This GFP-3′-β-actin mRNA accumulates in injured PNS axons before activation of the transgene promoter peaks in the DRG. Spinal cord injury also increases axonal GFP signals in mice carrying this transgene without any increase in transgene expression in the DRGs. These data show for the first time that the β-actin 3′-UTR is sufficient for axonal localization in both PNS and CNS neurons in vivo.