1. Shaping the Endoplasmic Reticulum into a Social Network.
- Author
-
Zhang, Hong and Hu, Junjie
- Subjects
- *
ENDOPLASMIC reticulum , *EUKARYOTIC cells , *MEMBRANE proteins , *CELL morphology , *MULTICELLULAR organisms - Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is constructed as a network of tubules and sheets that exist in one continuous membrane system. Several classes of integral membrane protein have been shown to shape ER membranes. Functional studies using mutant proteins have begun to reveal the significance of ER morphology and membrane dynamics. In this review, we discuss the common protein modules and mechanisms that generate the characteristic shape of the ER. We also describe the cellular functions closely related to ER morphology, particularly contacts with other membrane systems, and their potential roles in the development of multicellular organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF