A model of local translation of MFA2 mRNA in the shmoo tip of an αF-treated cell. Shortly after αF treatment, low-intensity MFA2-containing granules begin to be transported to a region in the cell that is destined to form a shmoo (left cell). MFA2 mRNA in these granules might be partially translationally repressed (and its granules are relatively resistant to CHX—see the “low-intensity granules” in Fig. 7 B). Later, the shmoo begins to form, and several low-intensity granules are merged to form a high-intensity granule “mating body.” At the same time, an aF transporter, Ste6p, is transported to the shmoo tip (middle cell; see Discussion). MFA2 mRNA is released for translation in the vicinity of the mating body, and the peptide is processed and secreted by Ste6p in the shmoo tip (middle and right cells). The shmoo continues to grow until it is fused with the shmoo of the mating partner (not depicted). In our experiments, all cells were MATa, and no mating occurred. Therefore, at later time points (>2 h), the transport of low-intensity granules subsided, and the mating body gradually disassembled, in preparation for later cell division (not depicted).