In neurons, control of microtubule dynamics is required for multiple homeostatic and regulated activities. Over the past few decades, a great deal has been learned about the role of the microtubule cytoskeleton in axonal and dendritic transport, with a broad impact on neuronal health and disease. However, significantly less attention has been paid to the importance of microtubule dynamics in directly regulating synaptic function. Here, we review emerging literature demonstrating that microtubules enter synapses and control central aspects of synaptic activity, including neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity. The pleiotropic effects caused by a dysfunctional synaptic microtubule cytoskeleton may thus represent a key point of vulnerability for neurons and a primary driver of neurological disease.

在神经元中，多种稳态和调节活动需要控制微管动力学。在过去的几十年里，人们对微管细胞骨架在轴突和树突运输中的作用有了很多了解，对神经元的健康和疾病产生了广泛的影响。然而，微管动力学在直接调节突触功能中的重要性却很少受到关注。在这里，我们回顾了表明微管进入突触并控制突触活动的中心方面的新兴文献，包括神经递质释放和突触可塑性。因此，由功能失调的突触微管细胞骨架引起的多效性可能代表神经元易受伤害的关键点和神经系统疾病的主要驱动因素。