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Review ArticleReview Article

Pharmacological Regulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Structure and Calcium Dynamics: Importance for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Ilmari Parkkinen, Anna Their, Muhammad Yasir Asghar, Sreesha Sree, Eija Jokitalo and Mikko Airavaara
Jukka Hakkola, Associate Editor
Pharmacological Reviews September 2023, 75 (5) 959-978; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.122.000701
Ilmari Parkkinen
Neuroscience Center (I.P., A.T., M.A.), Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy (I.P., M.A.), Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (M.Y.A., S.S., E.J.), and Electron Microscopy Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (E.J.), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Anna Their
Neuroscience Center (I.P., A.T., M.A.), Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy (I.P., M.A.), Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (M.Y.A., S.S., E.J.), and Electron Microscopy Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (E.J.), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Muhammad Yasir Asghar
Neuroscience Center (I.P., A.T., M.A.), Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy (I.P., M.A.), Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (M.Y.A., S.S., E.J.), and Electron Microscopy Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (E.J.), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Sreesha Sree
Neuroscience Center (I.P., A.T., M.A.), Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy (I.P., M.A.), Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (M.Y.A., S.S., E.J.), and Electron Microscopy Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (E.J.), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Eija Jokitalo
Neuroscience Center (I.P., A.T., M.A.), Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy (I.P., M.A.), Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (M.Y.A., S.S., E.J.), and Electron Microscopy Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (E.J.), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Mikko Airavaara
Neuroscience Center (I.P., A.T., M.A.), Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy (I.P., M.A.), Cell and Tissue Dynamics Research Program, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (M.Y.A., S.S., E.J.), and Electron Microscopy Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Sciences (E.J.), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Jukka Hakkola
Roles: Associate Editor
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Abstract

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the largest organelle of the cell, composed of a continuous network of sheets and tubules, and is involved in protein, calcium (Ca2+), and lipid homeostasis. In neurons, the ER extends throughout the cell, both somal and axodendritic compartments, and is highly important for neuronal functions. A third of the proteome of a cell, secreted and membrane-bound proteins, are processed within the ER lumen and most of these proteins are vital for neuronal activity. The brain itself is high in lipid content, and many structural lipids are produced, in part, by the ER. Cholesterol and steroid synthesis are strictly regulated in the ER of the blood-brain barrier protected brain cells. The high Ca2+ level in the ER lumen and low cytosolic concentration is needed for Ca2+-based intracellular signaling, for synaptic signaling and Ca2+ waves, and for preparing proteins for correct folding in the presence of high Ca2+ concentrations to cope with the high concentrations of extracellular milieu. Particularly, ER Ca2+ is controlled in axodendritic areas for proper neurito- and synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity and remodeling. In this review, we cover the physiologic functions of the neuronal ER and discuss it in context of common neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on pharmacological regulation of ER Ca2+. Furthermore, we postulate that heterogeneity of the ER, its protein folding capacity, and ensuring Ca2+ regulation are crucial factors for the aging and selective vulnerability of neurons in various neurodegenerative diseases.

Significance Statement Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ regulators are promising therapeutic targets for degenerative diseases for which efficacious drug therapies do not exist. The use of pharmacological probes targeting maintenance and restoration of ER Ca2+ can provide restoration of protein homeostasis (e.g., folding of complex plasma membrane signaling receptors) and slow down the degeneration process of neurons.

Footnotes

    • Received July 25, 2022.
    • Revision received March 27, 2023.
    • Accepted April 4, 2023.
  • Jokitalo group has been supported by the Academy of Finland [project number 1331998], the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation, and the Helsinki Institute of Life Science Fellows Program. Airavaara group has been supported by the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation, Doctoral Programme in Drug Research (University of Helsinki), Instrumentarium Science Foundation, and Academy of Finland #324177.

  • The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest with the contents of this article.

  • dx.doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.122.000701.

  • ↵Embedded ImageThis article has supplemental material available at pharmrev.aspetjournals.org.

  • Copyright © 2023 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
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Pharmacological Reviews: 75 (5)
Pharmacological Reviews
Vol. 75, Issue 5
1 Sep 2023
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Review ArticleReview Article

Endoplasmic Reticulum Pharmacology in Neurodegeneration

Ilmari Parkkinen, Anna Their, Muhammad Yasir Asghar, Sreesha Sree, Eija Jokitalo and Mikko Airavaara
Pharmacological Reviews September 1, 2023, 75 (5) 959-978; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.122.000701

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Review ArticleReview Article

Endoplasmic Reticulum Pharmacology in Neurodegeneration

Ilmari Parkkinen, Anna Their, Muhammad Yasir Asghar, Sreesha Sree, Eija Jokitalo and Mikko Airavaara
Pharmacological Reviews September 1, 2023, 75 (5) 959-978; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/pharmrev.122.000701
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  • Article
    • Visual Overview
    • Abstract
    • I. Endoplasmic Reticulum Morphology and Overview of Ca2+-Related Endoplasmic Reticulum Functions
    • II. Specified Functions of Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium in Neurons and Regulatory Targets
    • III. Neuron-Specific Endoplasmic Reticulum Requirements
    • IV. Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Neurons
    • V. Endoplasmic Reticulum and Ca2+ Dynamics in Neurodegeneration
    • VI. Pharmacological Tools To Modulate Endoplasmic Reticulum Function
    • VII. Concluding Remarks
    • Acknowledgments
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