Structural insights into membrane fusion at the endoplasmic reticulum

摘要

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in eukaryotes is composed of an interconnected network of membrane tubules that undergoes permanent membrane fusion and fission. A hallmark of this membrane system is the presence of so-called three-way junctions (Fig.1). These connections between adjacent membrane tubules are essential for the continuity of the ER lu-minal space. In 2009, two groups identified the ER resident atlastin GTPases as key players involved in the maintenance of normal ER morphology (1, 2).