Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Ovarian Failure

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as a unique highly well-structured organelle within eukaryotic cells plays important roles in several specific cellular functions including protein synthesis, folding and transport, lipid trafficking and metabolism and Ca2+ storage. Accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the ER lumen due to several physiological or pathological conditions including hypoxia, ischemia/reperfusion injuries, neurodegeneration, viral infections, glucose deprivation and abnormal Ca2+ regulation as well as inflammation and oxidative stress can lead to induction of ER stress. Additionally, a series of cytoprotective intracellular signaling pathways known as unfolded protein response (UPR) will be activated by cells to combat with ER stress and reorganize ER homeostasis which can also cause cellular dysfunctions and trigger cell death.

Endoplasmic Reticulum, Ovary, Infertility