ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM

A network of membranous tubules within the cytoplasm of a eukaryotic cell,

continuous with the nuclear membrane. It usually has ribosomes attached and is
involved in protein and lipid synthesis. They can occur as cisternae, tubules or
vesicles.
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)serves multiple functions, being important
particularly in the synthesis, folding, modification, and transport of proteins.
History
It was observed with light microscope, Garnier 1897 coined the term
‘ergastoplasm’.With electron microscopy, the lacy membranes of the
endoplasmic reticulum were first seen in 1969 by Keith R.Porter et al. Later the
word ‘reticulum’ which means ‘network’ was applied by porter in 1953.

STRUCTURE OF ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM

 All eukaryotic cells contain an endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In animal cells,
the ER usually constitutes more than half of the membranous content of
the cell.
 General structure of the endoplasmic reticulum is a network of membranes
called Cisterae. These sac-like structures are held together by the
cytoskeleton.
 The phospholipid membrane encloses the cisternae space (or lumen) which
is continuous with the perinuclear space.
 Differences in certain physical and functional characteristics distinguish the
two types of ER, known as rough ER and smooth ER.
 Rough ER is named for its rough appearance, which is due to the
ribosomes attached to its outer (cytoplasmic) surface. The binding site of the
ribosome on the rough endoplasmic reticulum is the translocon.
 Rough ER lies immediately adjacent to the cell nucleus , and its membrane is
continuous with the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. The ribosomes
on rough ER specialize in the synthesis of proteins that possess a signal
sequence that directs them specifically to the ER for processing. Proteins
synthesized by the rough ER have specific final destinations. Some proteins,
for example, remain within the ER, whereas others are sent to the golgi
apparatus, which lies next to the ER.
 The quantity of both rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum in a cell can
slowly interchange from one type to the other depending on the changing
metabolic activities of the cell.
Functions of ER
 Mechanical support
 Protein synthesis
 Gluconeogenesis
 Lipid synthesis and storage (breakdown of fatty acids-SER, intercellular
storage and transport of lipids
 SER contains enzymes for detoxification.
 Formation of microbodies-closely related to ER , these are small granular
bodies filled with an electron dense substance and limited by a single
membrane. these are rich in enzyme peroxidase (peroxisomes) , catalase and
D-amino acid oxidase
 In plants they are called glyoxysomes.
 Circulation and exchange of intracellular substance between nucleus and the
cytoplasm
 Membrane flow
 Ionic gradients-SER Ca2 ion concentration by using ATP.

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR RIBOSOMES*********

 RIBOSOMES
 Ribosomes are also named Palade's corpuscles
 It comprises of a complex macromolecular machine, found within all
living cells, that serves as the site of biological protein
synthesis (translation).
 Ribosomes were first observed in 1955 by Romanian-American cell
biologist George Emil Palade, using an electron microscope, as dense
particles or granules.
 Palade through the electron microscope revealed the presence of dense
granules of 150A to 200 A diameter later called ribosomes
 The term "ribosome" was proposed by scientist Richard B. Roberts in the
end of 1950s.
 These granules may be found either in the free state or attached to the
outside of the endoplasmic reticulum.
 Mature mammalian erythrocytes have no ribosomes.
 A ribosome is made from complexes of RNAs and proteins and is therefore
a ribonucleoprotein. Each ribosome is divided into two subunits:
o a smaller subunit which binds to a larger subunit and the mRNA
pattern, and
o a larger subunit which binds to the tRNA, the amino acids, and the
smaller subunit.
 These are of two types-70S and 80S ribosomes
 The ‘S’ refers to the Svedberg unit.
 This is a sedimentation coefficient which shows how fast a cell organelle
sediments in a ultracentrifuge.
 The heavier a structure more is its sedimentation coefficient.
 Sedimentation coefficient is not additive thus 30S and 50S subunits of a
ribosome together make up a ribosome with a sedimentation coefficient of
70S and not 80S.
 80S ribosomes are found in eukaryotes (large 60S and a small 40S subunit).
 70S ribosomes are relatively small and are found in prokaryotes (50S and
30s subunit)
 Ribosomes link amino acids together in the order specified by messenger
RNA (mRNA) molecules.
 Ribosomes consist of two major components: the small ribosomal subunits,
which read the mRNA, and the large subunits, which join amino acids to
form a polypeptide chain.
 Each subunit consists of one or more ribosomal RNA (rRNA) molecules
and a variety of ribosomal proteins (r-protein or r Protein).
 The ribosomes and associated molecules are also known as the translational
apparatus.

Features of 70S ribosome

• Three classes of RNA have been found in 70S ribosomes-16S, 23S (3,200
nucleotides) and 5S (120 nucleotides).
• The 30S Subunit of 70S contains 16s ribosomal RNA which has a
molecular weight of about 550,000 and contains 1,600 nucleotides.
• The 50S subunit contains 23S and 5S ribosomal RNA with molecular
weight of 11,00,000 and 40,000 respectively.
• the Rna and proteins are intertwined in the two subunits of the ribosome

Features of 80S ribosomes

• It contains one molecule each of 5S,5.8S, 28S RNA and 49 proteins
• The molecular weight pf the protein range from 11,500-41,800.
• RNA constitutes 59.4% of the subunit.
• The RNA- protein ration is 1:1

Plastoribosomes and mitoribosomes

In eukaryotes, ribosomes are present in mitochondria (sometimes

called mitoribosomes) and in plastids such as chloroplasts (also called
plastoribosomes).

They also consist of large and small subunits bound together

with proteins into one 70S particle.

 These ribosomes are similar to those of bacteria and these organelles are
thought to have originated as symbiotic bacteria .

Of the two, chloroplastic ribosomes are closer to bacterial ones than

mitochrondrial ones are
FUNCTIONS OF RIBOSOME

• Take part in protein synthesis.

• Two or more ribosomes simultaneously engaged in protein synthesis on
the same mRNA strand form polyribosomes.

• The ribosomes function as a template bringing together different

components involved in the synthesis of proteins.

• Interaction of the tRNA-amino acid complex with mRNA which brings

about translation of the genetic code is coordinated by the ribosomes.

• Also have a protective function i.e the mRNA which passes between the
two subunits of the ribosome is protected from the action of the enzyme
nucleases.