Synapse-to-nucleus signaling

Signals generated in distal subcellular compartments of neurons must often travel long distances to the nucleus to trigger changes in gene expression. This retrograde signaling is critical to the development, function, and survival of neural circuits, and neurons have evolved multiple mechanisms to transmit signals over long distances. In this review, we briefly summarize the range of mechanisms whereby distally generated signals are transported to neuronal nuclei. We then focus on the transport of soluble signals from the synapse to the nucleus during neuronal plasticity.

Research highlights► Signals from distal compartments are transported to the nucleus to alter transcription. ► Electrochemical signaling and regenerative calcium waves rapidly signal to nucleus. ► Signaling endosome transport neurotrophin signals from axons to nucleus. ► Importins transport soluble signals from synapse to the nucleus. ► Synapse-to-nucleus transport of transcription factors couple synaptic events to transcription.