Ascorbic acid route to the Endoplasmic reticulum: function and role in disease

Humans cannot synthesise ascorbic acid (vitamin C), so deficiencies in dietary ascorbic acid cause the life-threatening disease of scurvy and many other diseases. After oral ingestion, plasma ascorbic acid concentrations are strictly controlled by transporters, which are required for entry into the cell and into intracellular organelles. Recent Advances: Besides its general antioxidant function, ascorbic acid is a co-factor for endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localised collagen hydroxylases. Its important role in ER homeostasis is also highlighted by the fact that ascorbic acid deficiency in auxotrophic species triggers ER stress.