Recent discovery from LabExpBr demonstrates that the endoplasmic reticulum is a highly dynamic neuronal structure

2011-06-16

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is often referred to as a ”neuron within the neuron”. ER is a continuous membrane structure extending from the soma to the distal dendrites and spines, that participates in biosynthesis, calcium homeostasis, signalling and cell stress handling. In a new publication published in Journal of Neuroscience Research, we characterise neuronal ER as a highly dynamic structure. Using FRAP analysis and confocal microscopy live tissue imaging in hippocampal organotypic slices we show that the ER responds to endogenous glutamate release by extensive fission. The fission is reversible and presumably a protective response since decreasing temperature by three degrees, which is protective against ischemic damage, also increases ER fragmentation.