A TRICK'n way to see the pioneer round of translation

摘要

Because proteins are largely the ultimate effectors of genotype, controlling the process of protein synthesis in space and time can play a critical role in cell metabolism. The subcel-lular localization of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and their ensuing translation into proteins are known to be exploited to regulate processes such as development, cell motility, and neurotransmission. However, a dearth of tools for observing where and when mRNA translation occurs with single-molecule resolution in live cells has limited analysis to primarily ensemble, often static, biochemical measurements. On page 1367 of this issue, Halstead et al. (1) have filled this need by developing a method for visualizing mRNA translation in both live cells and whole animals.