Network organisation and the dynamics of tubules in the endoplasmic reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a eukaryotic subcellular organelle composed of tubules and sheet-like areas of membrane connected at junctions. The tubule network is highly dynamic and undergoes rapid and continual rearrangement. There are currently few tools to evaluate network organisation and dynamics. We quantified ER network organisation in Vero and MRC5 cells, and developed an analysis workflow for dynamics of established tubules in live cells. The persistence length, tubule length, junction coordination number and angles of the network were quantified. Hallmarks of imbalances in ER tension, indications of interactions with microtubules and other subcellular organelles, and active dynamics were observed. Clear differences in dynamic behaviour were observed for established tubules at different positions within the cell using itemset mining. We found that tubules with activity-driven fluctuations were more likely to be located away from the cell periphery and a population of peripheral tubules with no signs of active motion was found.