Comparative ultrastructural study of endoplasmic reticulum in colorectal carcinoma cell lines with different degrees of differentiation

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) consists of a complex system of tubules, lamellae, and flattened vesicles, and has a variety of morphologies in different cells. It is believed to play a central role in the biosynthesis of cholesterol, phospholipids, steroids, prostaglandins, membrane and secretory proteins[1]. Cancer cells have different functions and ultrastmcture from their original cells[2-4]. The studies on ER membrane system of cancer cells are of great significance in understanding their malignant behavior. In the present work, the ultrastructural characteristics of ER in human colorectal carcinoma cell lines with different differentiation degrees were investigated.

INTRODUCTIONThe endoplasmic reticulum(ER)consists of a complexsystem of tubules,lamellae,and flattened vesicles,andhas a variety of morphologies in different cells.It isbelieved to play a central role in the biosynthesis ofcholesterol,phospholipids, steroids, prostaglandins,