Not just actin? A role for dynamic microtubules in dendritic spines.
Despite intense attention, the mechanisms regulating dendritic spine structure remain elusive. In this issue of Neuron, Jaworski and colleagues explore the morphological consequences of periodic spine incursions of dynamic microtubules and their associated protein, EB3. Microtubules, long thought to be absent from dendritic spines, are capable of controlling spine morphology, opening up a new line of investigation into mechanisms of spine plasticity and maintenance.
Penzes
Peter
P
Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. p-penzes@northwestern.edu
Srivastava
Deepak P
DP
Woolfrey
Kevin M
KM
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D049229:Dendritic Spines / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology
D000199:Actins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins