A View of the Endoplasmic Reticulum Through the Calreticulin Lens.

Calreticulin is well known as an ER-resident protein that serves as the major endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca binding protein. This protein has been the major topic of discussion in an international workshop that has been meeting for a quarter of a century. In sharing information about this protein, the field also witnessed remarkable insights into the importance of the ER as an organelle and the role of ER Ca in coordinating ER and cellular functions. Recent technological advances have helped to uncover the contributions of calreticulin in maintaining Ca homeostasis in the ER and to unravel its involvement in a multitude of cellular processes as highlighted in this collection of articles. The continuing revelations of unexpected involvement of calreticulin and Ca in many critical aspects of cellular function promises to further improve insights into the significance of this protein in the promotion of physiology as well as prevention of pathology.