Coordinated Role of Autophagy and ERAD in Maintaining Neuroendocrine Function by Preventing Prohormone Aggregation (Adv. Sci. 23/2025)

Diabetes Insipidus In this dynamic cover illustration, a football match symbolizes the protein quality control system during prohormone maturation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The offensive and defensive plays represent two possible fates of proAVP: scoring a goal signifies correct folding and secretion, ensuring neuronal function and survival, while conceding a goal symbolizes misfolding and aggregation, leading to neuronal damage or even loss. Two key defenders play a crucial role–Player 2 represents ERAD, which is a house-keeping mechanism in clearing misfolded proteins in the ER, and Player 1 represents ER-phagy, which is the last line of defense by removing proAVP aggregates that beyond the capacity of Player 1. This cover creatively visualizes the findings of Jun Cui, Ling Qi, Guojun Shi , and co-workers described in article number 2411662, highlighting how autophagy and ERAD coordinate to prevent prohormone aggregation and maintain neuroendocrine function. The cover art was created by Coloring Guangzhou.