Axonally synthesized proteins support nerve regeneration through retrograde signaling and local growth mechanisms. RNA binding proteins (RBP) are needed for this and other aspects of post-transcriptional regulation of neuronal mRNAs, but only a limited number of axonal RBPs are known. In their latest publication titled "Intra-axonal translation of Khsrp mRNA slows axon regeneration by destabilizing localized mRNAs", joint first authors Priyanka Patel and Courtney Buchanan together with their collaborators detected 76 proteins with reported RNA binding activity in axons. One of them, KHSRP, has axonal levels that rapidly increase after injury and remain elevated up to 28 days post-axotomy. KHSRP targets some mRNAs to the cytoplasmic exosome for degradation. In mice lacking KHSRP, KHSRP target mRNAs have increased levels in axons following sciatic nerve injury, and nerve regeneration is accelerated. Altogether, these new results indicate that the synthesis of KHSRP following nerve injury serves to promote decay of some axonal mRNAs and slow axon regeneration. A beautiful work!