Güneş Parlakgul

Keywords endoplasmic reticulum liver hepatocytes metabolism lipids organelle contacts Spatial and functional compartmentalization of hepatocyte metabolism The ability of cells and tissues to sense, integrate, and adapt to fluctuations in nutrient availability is fundamental to organismal homeostasis and survival. Among metabolic tissues, the liver plays a central role in coordinating whole-body energy balance [1,2].

Abstract Imbalances in lipid storage and secretion lead to hepatic steatosis, the accumulation of lipid droplets in hepatocytes1,2. Our understanding of the mechanisms that govern the channelling of neutral lipids in hepatocytes towards cytosolic lipid droplets or secreted lipoproteins remains incomplete3,4.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is central to protein synthesis, folding and secretion. A study now shows that ageing is characterized by a striking loss of ER mass and remodelling of the ER structure. This shift is driven by tissue-specific ER-phagy, and may contribute to age-related loss of proteostasis. You have full access to this article via your institution.