The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a large, continuous membrane-bound organelle comprised of functionally and structurally distinct domains including the nuclear envelope, peripheral tubular ER, peripheral cisternae, and numerous membrane contact sites at the plasma membrane, mitochondria, Golgi, endosomes, and peroxisomes. These domains are required for multiple cellular processes, including synthesis of proteins and lipids, calcium level regulation, and exchange of macromolecules with various organelles at ER-membrane contact sites. The ER maintains its unique overall structure regardless of dynamics or transfer at ER-organelle contacts. In this review, we describe the numerous factors that contribute to the structure of the ER.T he endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a dynamic organelle responsible for many cellular functions, including the synthesis of proteins and lipids, and regulation of intracellular calcium levels. This review focuses on the distinct and complex morphology of the ER. The structure of the ER is complex because of the numerous distinct domains that exist within one continuous membrane bilayer. These domains are shaped by interactions with the cytoskeleton, by proteins that stabilize membrane shape, and by a homotypic fusion machinery that allows the ER membrane to maintain its continuity and identity. The ER also contains domains that contact the plasma membrane (PM) and other organelles including the Golgi, endosomes, mitochondria, lipid droplets, and peroxisomes. ER contact sites with other organelles and the PM are both abundant and dispersed throughout the cytoplasm, suggesting that they too could influence the overall architecture of the ER. As we will discuss here, ER shape and distribution are regulated by many intrinsic and extrinsic forces. ER STRUCTURE AND FORMATION Domains of the ER Are Stabilized by Membrane-Shaping ProteinsThe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a large membrane-bound compartment spread throughout the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. It is divided into three major morphologies that include the nuclear envelope (NE), peripheral ER cisternae, and an interconnected tubular network

We have identified Rab10 as an ER specific Rab GTPase that regulates ER structure and dynamics. We show that Rab10 localizes to the ER and to dynamic ER-associated structures that track along microtubules and mark the position of new ER tubule growth. Rab10 depletion or expression of a Rab10 GDP-locked mutant alters ER morphology, resulting in decreased ER tubules. We demonstrate that this defect is due to a reduced ability of dynamic ER tubules to grow out and successfully fuse with adjacent ER. Consistent with this function, Rab10 partitions to dynamic ER-associated domains found at the leading edge of almost half of all ER tubule dynamics. Interestingly, this Rab10 domain is highly enriched with at least two ER enzymes that regulate phospholipid synthesis, PI Synthase and CEPT1. Both the formation and function of this Rab10/PIS/CEPT1 dynamic domain is inhibited by expression of a GDP-locked Rab10 mutant. Together, these data demonstrate that Rab10 regulates ER dynamics and further suggests that these dynamics could be coupled to phospholipid synthesis.

SummaryThe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a single continuous membrane-enclosed organelle made up of functionally and structurally distinct domains. The ER domains include the nuclear envelope (NE) and the peripheral ER, which is a network of tubules and sheets spread throughout the cytoplasm. The structural organization of the ER is related to its many different cellular functions. Here we will discuss how the various functional domains of the peripheral ER are organized into structurally distinct domains that exist within the continuous membrane bilayer throughout the cell cycle. In addition, we will summarize our current knowledge on how peripheral ER membranes contact various other regions of the cytoplasm including the cytoskeleton, mitochondria, Golgi, and the plasma membrane and what is known about the functions of these interactions.

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The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has an elaborate and dynamic structure that is conserved throughout eukaryotes. We are interested in how ER shape is regulated to generate a functional organelle. We have studied three major mechanisms that influence the 3‐D structure of the ER. ER shape is determined by membrane shaping proteins, dynamics on the cytoskeleton, and interactions with other organelles. These forces work together to distribute this organelle throughout the cytoplasm and generate the complexity of ER functional domains. In turn, we have recently demonstrated that ER shape and dynamics also influence the distribution and dynamics of other organelles. I will discuss the dynamic interplay between the various mechanisms that regulate the elaborate structure of the ER and the organelles that it contacts.