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Related Concept Videos

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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Assembly of the Lipid Bilayer in the ER01:28

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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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Role of ER in the Secretory Pathway01:17

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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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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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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.
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Export of Misfolded Proteins out of the ER01:32

Export of Misfolded Proteins out of the ER

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After folding, the ER assesses the quality of secretory and membrane proteins. The correctly folded proteins are cleared by the calnexin cycle for transport to their final destination, while misfolded proteins are held back in the ER lumen. The ER chaperones attempt to unfold and refold the misfolded proteins but sometimes fail to achieve the correct native conformation. Such terminally misfolded proteins are then exported to the cytosol by ER-associated degradation or ERAD pathway for...
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ER membrane complex (EMC): Structure, functions, and roles in diseases.

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FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
|March 18, 2024
PubMed
Summary

The Endoplasmic Reticulum Membrane Complex (EMC) is vital for membrane protein quality control in eukaryotic cells. Its dysfunction is linked to diseases like cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders, highlighting its importance in cellular health.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a crucial organelle for protein and lipid synthesis in eukaryotic cells.
  • The ER Membrane Complex (EMC) is an abundant, conserved multiprotein complex on the ER membrane.
  • EMC plays a key role in the quality control of membrane proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the structure and function of the ER Membrane Complex (EMC).
  • To summarize research contributions on EMC over the past 15 years.
  • To discuss diseases associated with EMC dysfunction.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of research on EMC.
  • Analysis of EMC's role in protein and lipid synthesis.
  • Examination of EMC's involvement in organelle communication and ER stress.

Main Results:

  • EMC is essential for proper membrane protein folding, assembly, and transport.
  • EMC disruption impacts various cellular processes, including ER stress and viral maturation.
  • Dysfunction of EMC is implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders and cancer.

Conclusions:

  • EMC is a significant area of research due to its fundamental cellular roles.
  • Understanding EMC structure and function is critical for addressing associated diseases.
  • Further research on EMC is expected to yield significant advancements.