Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (Jul 2021)

ER-Phagy: A New Regulator of ER Homeostasis

  • Ming Yang,
  • Ming Yang,
  • Shilu Luo,
  • Shilu Luo,
  • Xi Wang,
  • Chenrui Li,
  • Jinfei Yang,
  • Xuejing Zhu,
  • Li Xiao,
  • Lin Sun,
  • Lin Sun

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2021.684526
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is one of the most important cellular organelles and is essential for cell homeostasis. Upon external stimulation, ER stress induces the unfolded protein response (UPR) and ER-associated degradation (ERAD) to maintain ER homeostasis. However, persistent ER stress can lead to cell damage. ER-phagy is a selective form of autophagy that ensures the timely removal of damaged ER, thereby protecting cells from damage caused by excessive ER stress. As ER-phagy is a newly identified form of autophagy, many receptor-mediated ER-phagy pathways have been discovered in recent years. In this review, we summarize our understanding of the maintenance of ER homeostasis and describe the receptors identified to date. Finally, the relationships between ER-phagy and diseases are also discussed.

Keywords