Molecular kinesis in cellular function and plasticity

^*Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, and Department of Neurology, State University of New York, Health Science Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203; ^‡Department of Neuropharmacology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037; and ^§Institut für Zellbiochemie und klinische Neurobiologie, Universität Hamburg, D-20246 Hamburg, Germany

Abstract

Intracellular transport and localization of cellular components are essential for the functional organization and plasticity of eukaryotic cells. Although the elucidation of protein transport mechanisms has made impressive progress in recent years, intracellular transport of RNA remains less well understood. The National Academy of Sciences Colloquium on Molecular Kinesis in Cellular Function and Plasticity therefore was devised as an interdisciplinary platform for participants to discuss intracellular molecular transport from a variety of different perspectives. Topics covered at the meeting included RNA metabolism and transport, mechanisms of protein synthesis and localization, the formation of complex interactive protein ensembles, and the relevance of such mechanisms for activity-dependent regulation and synaptic plasticity in neurons. It was the overall objective of the colloquium to generate momentum and cohesion for the emerging research field of molecular kinesis.

Footnotes

↵ † To whom reprint requests should be addressed at: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, State University of New York, Health Science Center, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203. E-mail: tiedge{at}hscbklyn.edu.
This paper is the introduction to the following papers, which were presented at the National Academy of Sciences colloquium, “Molecular Kinesis in Cellular Function and Plasticity,” held December 7–9, 2000, at the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center in Irvine, CA.