
This is surprising considering the potential role of the dendritic ER in synaptic plasticity, for instance through the control of transport, assembly and export of neurotransmitter receptors in the proximity of synapses. In contrast to recent advances in the understanding of late secretory organelles the structure of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in dendrites, and its role in de novo synthesis and trafficking of neuronal proteins have received substantially less attention. Dendrite growth and identity may depend on these structures because Golgi outposts regulate dendritic branching and morphology (Horton et al., 2005 Ye et al., 2007). Likewise, functionally competent Golgi outposts containing galactosyltransferase and GM130 have been observed in dendrites (Kennedy and Ehlers, 2006). For example, endosomal compartments bearing Rab11 are present in dendrites and dendritic spines where they carry out recycling functions to and from the plasma membrane (Wang et al., 2008). Despite the obvious spatial and geometrical constrains that condition these biosynthetic events, the structure of secretory organelles and the trafficking mechanisms in the neuron's highly polarized morphology are only beginning to emerge (Pierce et al., 2001 Kennedy and Ehlers, 2006). The transport of newly synthesized membrane lipids and proteins to distal regions in dendrites and axons is essential for neuronal function.

Key terms: endoplasmic reticulum, protein trafficking, dendrites, neuron. Running title: structure and function of the dendritic endoplasmic reticulum. We additionally discuss the roles of the dendritic endoplasmic reticulum in synaptic plasticity. We also focus on the trafficking of proteins through the dendritic endoplasmic reticulum, emphasizing the relevance of transport, retention, assembly of multi-subunit protein complexes and export. Here we review the current understanding of the endoplasmic reticulum in neurons, its structure, composition, dendritic distribution and dynamics.

Particularly incipient is our knowledge of the role of the neuronal endoplasmic reticulum. Neurons are highly polarized, but the trafficking mechanisms that operate in these cells and the topological organization of their secretory organelles are still poorly understood. Ramírez 1,2, Steffen Härtel 2,3 and Andrés Couve 1,3 *ġ Program of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.Ģ Laboratory of Scientific Image Analysis (SCIAN-Lab), Program of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.ģ Nucleus of Neural Morphogenesis (NEMO), Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. Each antibody is validated for use in various applications.Location matters: the endoplasmic reticulum and protein trafficking in dendrites

Invitrogen endoplasmic reticulum marker antibodies are designed to dependably detect the key ER targets. Endoplasmic reticulum marker antibodies are particularly useful in labeling fixed cells. Endoplasmic reticulum marker antibodies can also help elucidate the role or roles a protein may play in a number of tasks that are centered in or influenced by the ER. These proteins collect in the endoplasmic reticulum for transport throughout the cell.Įndoplasmic reticulum marker antibodies can aid in the study of the structure and function of the ER.

The rough ER is bound by ribosomes, which are the sites of protein synthesis. The smooth ER varies in specific function depending on the cell type, but it is generally involved in lipid and steroid synthesis, detoxification, and calcium homeostasis. The endoplasmic reticulum occurs in two forms: smooth endoplasmic reticulum and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle consisting of a network of cisternae, tubules, and vesicles which are continuous with the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope.
