LAUSR

Chemical inhibitors have revealed requirements for protein synthesis that drive cellular plasticity. We developed a genetically encodable protein synthesis inhibitor (gePSI) to achieve cell-type-specific temporal control of protein synthesis. Controlled expression of the gePSI in neurons or glia resulted in rapid, potent and reversible cell-autonomous inhibition of protein synthesis. Moreover, gePSI expression in a single neuron blocked the structural plasticity induced by single-synapse stimulation.A genetically encodable protein synthesis inhibitor (gePSI) for cell-specific inhibition of protein synthesis that is efficient and reversible enables the study of structural plasticity following single-synapse activation in neurons.