Regulated local mRNA translation is one mechanism cells employ to concentrate proteins in particular locations. However, cells use many different strategies to accomplish this task; for example, some mRNAs are destroyed in regions where they are not wanted, other mRNAs are repressed in areas where their translation would be deleterious, and yet other mRNAs are transported, in a quiescent state, to the sites where their translation is activated. The importance of local translation cannot be overstated, for, depending on the species or cell type, it is required for cell division, establishment of mating type, development and memory formation.