Cytoskeletal role in long term memory consolidation

Synapse-level conversion of transient memories to persistent memories parallels electrophysiological transition from early- to late-phase long-term potentiation of synaptic transmission (E-/L-LTP). 

It is not clear how this L-LTP is achieved mechanistically at the synapse, although glutamate signaling upregulations coupled with dendritic spine enlargement are common underpinnings of E-LTP and L-LTP.

The researchers demonstrate that L-LTP-dependent smooth endoplasmic reticulum (sER) extension into spines via the septin cytoskeleton subunit SEPT3 is a structural component that enhances Ca2+ signaling upon synaptic input and local synaptic activity.

Sept3 knock-out mice show scarce sER spines and reduced long-term spatial/object memory.

https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(25)00123-8

https://sciencemission.com/Septin-3-regulates-memory-and-L-LTP