Endoplasmic Reticulum: A Hub in Lipid Homeostasis

Abstract

Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is the largest and one of the most complex cellular structures, indicating its widespread importance and variety of functions, including synthesis of membrane and secreted proteins, protein folding, calcium storage, and membrane lipid biogenesis. Moreover, the ER is implicated in cholesterol, plasmalogen, phospholipid, and sphingomyelin biosynthesis. Furthermore, the ER is in contact with most cellular organelles, such as mitochondria, peroxisomes, Golgi apparatus, lipid droplets, plasma membrane, etc. Peroxisomes are synthesized from a specific ER section, and they are related to very-long-chain fatty acid metabolism. Similarly, lipid droplets are vital structures in lipid homeostasis that are formed from the ER membrane. Additionally, there is a specific region between the ER-mitochondria interface called Mitochondria-Associated Membranes (MAMs). This small cytosolic gap plays a key role in several crucial mechanisms from autophagosome synthesis to phospholipid transfer. Due to the importance of the ER in a variety of biological processes, alterations in its functionality have relevant implications for multiple diseases. Nowadays, a plethora of pathologies like non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cancer, and neurological alterations have been associated with ER malfunctions.