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Related Concept Videos

Endoplasmic Reticulum01:39

Endoplasmic Reticulum

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The Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) in eukaryotic cells is a substantial network of interconnected membranes with diverse functions, from calcium storage to biomolecule synthesis. A primary component of the endomembrane system, the ER manufactures phospholipids critical for membrane function throughout the cell. Additionally, the two distinct regions of the ER specialize in the manufacture of specific lipids and proteins.
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The Endoplasmic Reticulum01:43

The Endoplasmic Reticulum

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The endoplasmic reticulum or ER makes up for more than half of the membranes in a cell and accounts for 10% of total cell volume. It is also the primary protein and lipid synthesis factory for most cell organelles, such as the Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, secretory vesicles, and the plasma membrane. Despite being the most extensive and functionally complex subcellular organelle, ER was the last to be discovered. After years of deliberation, Keith Porter and George Palade in the year 1954,...
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Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum01:21

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

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Smooth endoplasmic reticulum or smooth ER is a sub-organelle with specialized functions in animal cells and plant cells. It is often associated with the tubule morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum.
The ER provides optimal conditions for synthesizing steroid hormones and lipids, such as phospholipids and triglycerides. Traditionally, lipid metabolism was considered to be a smooth ER function. However, there is no direct evidence to prove that rough ER is completely excluded from lipid...
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Role of ER in the Secretory Pathway01:17

Role of ER in the Secretory Pathway

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Eukaryotic cells have a special pathway that enables communication between various intracellular membrane-bound compartments and also with the extracellular environment. This pathway is termed as the secretory pathway.
Components of the secretory pathway
About a third of proteins synthesized in the cell are sorted via the secretory route. They shuffle between different compartments in membrane-bound vesicles until they reach their final destination. The main intracellular compartments involved...
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Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER01:28

Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER

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Biological membranes are more than just a barrier separating cell cytoplasm from the outside environment. They are highly dynamic and help maintain the integrity and physiological stability of the cells as well as membrane-bound organelles. Membranes also play vital roles in cell-to-cell and intracellular communication.
A large chunk of any biological membrane is composed of phospholipids. These lipids have a heterogeneous distribution across different subcellular organelles and even between...
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Directing Proteins to the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum01:34

Directing Proteins to the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

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The organelle-specific signaling sequences direct proteins synthesized in the cytosol to their final destination like ER, mitochondria, peroxisomes, etc. Some of the proteins directed to ER are then trafficked via vesicles to other organelles within the cell or the extracellular environment through the Golgi complex. For example, the rough ER synthesizes soluble proteins for transportation to the lysosomes or secretion out of the cell. It can also synthesize transmembrane proteins that can...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 5, 2025

Study of Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondria Interactions by In Situ Proximity Ligation Assay in Fixed Cells
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Study of Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondria Interactions by In Situ Proximity Ligation Assay in Fixed Cells

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Stay in touch with the endoplasmic reticulum.

Sha Sun1, Gan Zhao2, Mingkang Jia2

  • 1National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.

Science China. Life Sciences
|January 11, 2024
PubMed
Summary

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a key organelle in eukaryotic cells, forming a vast membrane network. It interacts with other organelles through membrane contact sites (MCSs), which regulate organelle positioning and lipid exchange. Recent studies show that ER contacts with mitochondria, Golgi, endosomes, lysosomes, and plasma membranes are important for cellular function. These contacts facilitate lipid transfer and signaling events. The authors review recent findings on the molecular basis of ER contacts and their physiological roles. They emphasize the importance of ER contacts in maintaining cellular homeostasis and suggest that further research is needed to clarify these mechanisms.

Keywords:
Golgi apparatusautophagosomeendoplasmic reticulumendosomelipid dropletslysosomemembrane contact sitemitochondrianuclear envelopeplasma membraneendoplasmic reticulummembrane contact sitesorganelle interactionscell signaling

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Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Subdomains in Cultured Cells
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Author Spotlight: Regulation and Dysregulation of ER-Mitochondria Contacts — Implications for Neurodegenerative Disease Pathogenesis
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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Membrane biology
  • Endoplasmic reticulum signaling

Background:

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a central organelle in eukaryotic cells, forming a vast membrane network. It interacts with other organelles through membrane contact sites (MCSs). These interactions are not fully understood in terms of their molecular mechanisms. Prior research has shown that MCSs help regulate organelle positioning and lipid transfer. However, the specific roles of ER contacts with different organelles remain unclear. This gap motivated a detailed review of recent findings on ER interactions. No prior work had resolved the full scope of ER contact functions. This paper addresses that uncertainty by summarizing current knowledge. It provides a synthesis of ER contact dynamics with various organelles.

Purpose Of The Study:

This study aims to review recent findings on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) interactions with other organelles. The goal is to clarify how ER contacts influence cellular processes. The authors focus on membrane contact sites (MCSs) and their roles in organelle communication. They seek to identify common themes in ER-involved contact mechanisms. The motivation is to better understand how ER contacts regulate cell function. The study addresses the need for a comprehensive overview of ER contact dynamics. It examines interactions with mitochondria, Golgi, endosomes, and other organelles. The findings aim to inform future research on organelle communication.

Main Methods:

The authors conducted a systematic review of recent literature on ER contacts. They analyzed studies focusing on membrane contact sites (MCSs) and their molecular basis. The review included interactions with mitochondria, Golgi, endosomes, and lysosomes. The authors synthesized findings on ER/nuclear envelope contacts. They examined how these contacts influence lipid exchange and signaling. The approach involved compiling data on ER interactions with various organelles. The review also covered ER/plasma membrane and ER/autophagosome contacts. The goal was to identify converging themes in ER contact mechanisms.

Main Results:

The study highlights the molecular mechanisms of ER contacts with mitochondria and Golgi. It reports that ER contacts regulate lipid transfer and organelle positioning. The authors found that ER/nuclear envelope interactions influence signaling events. ER/endosome contacts are linked to lipid droplet formation. ER/lysosome contacts are involved in autophagosome maturation. ER/plasma membrane contacts facilitate calcium signaling. The findings suggest that ER contacts are essential for cellular homeostasis. These contacts are regulated by specific proteins and lipids.

Conclusions:

The authors conclude that ER contacts are vital for organelle communication and function. They emphasize the role of membrane contact sites (MCSs) in lipid exchange and signaling. The study suggests that ER contacts are regulated by specific molecular mechanisms. ER/nuclear envelope contacts influence nuclear signaling pathways. ER contacts with mitochondria and Golgi are central to cellular homeostasis. The findings support the idea that ER contacts are dynamic and context-dependent. The authors propose that these contacts are important for cellular adaptation. They suggest that further research is needed to clarify the full scope of ER contact functions.

The main mechanism involves membrane contact sites (MCSs), which facilitate lipid exchange and signaling.

ER-mitochondria contacts regulate lipid transfer and calcium signaling, which are vital for cell homeostasis.

MCSs are important because they allow precise lipid exchange and coordinate signaling events between organelles.

ER/lysosome contacts are involved in autophagosome maturation and lysosomal function.

ER/plasma membrane contacts facilitate calcium signaling, which is crucial for cellular responses.

The authors propose that ER contacts are essential for organelle positioning, lipid exchange, and signaling.