Recent research reveals that the membrane-associated periodic skeleton (MPS), a structure previously thought to be stable, undergoes continuous disassembly and reassembly in neurons. Using live-cell super-resolution imaging, scientists discovered that this skeletal network regularly remodels itself even without external triggers. This dynamic process is controlled by calcium signaling, which activates enzymes like protein kinase C and calpain to temporarily break down the actin and spectrin components. These cycles of destruction and repair are essential because they facilitate axonal endocytosis, allowing the cell membrane to deform for vital biological functions. Ultimately, the study illustrates how neurons balance structural integrity with the plasticity required for active cellular transport.References:

• Heller E, Kurup N, Zhuang X. The membrane skeleton is constitutively remodeled in neurons by calcium signaling[J]. Science, 2025, 389(6760): eadn6712.