The endoplasmic reticulum is an organelle that performs dynamic functions
in many critical cellular processes. This chapter discusses the evolutionary aspects of
the Smooth ER (SER), the tasks of RER, their involvement in cellular stress responses,
and implications for human health and disease. Complexities of ER stress and their
relationship to conditions such as ulcerative colitis and type 2 diabetes will be
discussed. The chapter discusses the therapeutic potential of targeting ER stress
pathways as therapy for UC. We also discuss the relationship between the ER and
autophagy, a cellular degradation and recycling process. Discussion is taken upon the
role of the mitochondria-associated ER membrane (MAM) in calcium signaling and its
implications for various cellular processes. This chapter summarizes the roles of ER,
trying to unveil the complexity of the ER functions and the importance of the ER in
both human health and disease.
Keywords: Apoptosis, Autophagy, Endoplasmic Reticulum, ER Stress, Glycosylation, Homeostasis, Lipid Synthesis, Mitochondria, MitochondriaAssociated ER Membrane (MAM), Protein Folding, Quality Control, Smooth ER, Type 2 Diabetes, Ulcerative Colitis.
