Mechanism of YB-1-mediated translational induction of GluR2 mRNA in response to neural activity through nAChR

► Nicotine induces the translation of GluR2 mRNA through α7-nAChR in NG108-15 cells. ► A transient increase of YB-1/HSP60 interaction is observed in nicotine-treated cells. ► PI3K/Akt pathway is necessary for translational increase and YB-1/HSP60 interaction. ► Neural activity alters the molar ratio of YB-1 bound to GluR2 mRNA in polysomes. ► In HSP60-decreased cells, YB-1 nuclear localization occurs with nicotine treatment.