Abstract
Since its discovery in 1945, our knowledge of the structure and many functionsof the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has advanced at a phenomenal rate. Earlystudies focused on the structure, which was then followed by biochemical andfunctional studies associated with calcium storage and release from the ER, proteinfolding and secretion, ER associated degradation (ERAD) and ER stressresponses. Currently there is a significant interest in the role of ER in such cellularprocesses as cell death, autophagy and cross-talk with other organelles. Inthis chapter we give an overview of the structural characteristics and biochemicalfunctioning of the ER and describe its manifold roles in cellular physiology.Finally, we explain how the sensitive nature of the protein folding process in theER enables this organelle to act as a sensor of a broad range of cellular stresses.Signals emanating from the stressed ER play central roles in differentiation processes,cellular homeostasis and cell death
| Original language | English (Ireland) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | ER Stress in Health and Disease |
| Publisher | Springer Science+Business Media |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2012 |
Authors (Note for portal: view the doc link for the full list of authors)
- Authors
- Sandra JM Healy, Tom Verfaillie, Richard Jager, Patrizia Agostinis and Afshin Samali