ER-phagy: shaping up and destressing the endoplasmic reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) network has central roles in metabolism and cellular organization. The ER undergoes dynamic alterations in morphology, molecular composition and functional specification. Remodelling of the network under fluctuating conditions enables the continual performance of ER functions and minimizes stress. Recent data have revealed that selective autophagy-mediated degradation of ER fragments, or ER-phagy, fundamentally contributes to this remodelling. This review provides a perspective on established views of selective autophagy, comparing these with emerging mechanisms of ER-phagy and related processes. The text discusses the impact of ER-phagy on the function of the ER- and the cell, both in normal physiology and when dysregulated within disease settings. Finally, unanswered questions regarding the mechanisms and significance of ER-phagy are highlighted.