How the ER stays in shape.
Understanding the molecular mechanisms that control the architecture of organelles is an area of intense study. In this issue of Cell, Voeltz et al. (2006) report that two membrane proteins, Rtn4a/NogoA and DP1/Yop1p, are responsible for the generation of tubular morphology in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The unusual membrane topology of these proteins may directly contribute to ER curvature.
Collins
Ruth N
RN
Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. rnc8@cornell.edu
D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism*; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000378:metabolism; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; C426246:YOP1 protein, S cerevisiae