Autophagic Punctum

Morphological homeostasis by autophagy

Volume 5, Issue 7   October 1, 2009
Pages 1039 - 1040
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/auto.5.7.9314
Authors: Daniel Lingwood, Sebastian Schuck, Charles Ferguson, Mathias Gerl and Kai Simons

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Abstract:
With cellular organelles coming in all shapes and sizes, the principle ‘form follows function’ is readily discernible through the cytologist’s lens. Architecturally, one might ask whether there is feedback in this organization. Does a cell ‘know’ when it has constructed membrane into the stacks of the Golgi, the cisternae of the mitochondria or the tubules of the endoplasmic reticulum? Proofreading can occur in vivo as both errors in nucleic acids and misfolds in proteins are recognized by the cell. Are there analogous systems which maintain/regulate the architectural integrity of organelles? Our recent paper entitled “Generation of cubic membranes from controlled homotypic interactions of membrane proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum” suggests that autophagy may play such a role.

Autophagic Punctum to:
D Lingwood, S Schuck, C Ferguson, MJ Gerl, K Simons. Generation of cubic membranes by controlled homotypic interaction of membrane proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. J Biol Chem 2009; 284: 12041-8
PMID: 19258319 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.M9002202

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