4 Unfolded Protein Response: Contributions to Development and Disease

Abstract: The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a multifaceted signal transduc-Au: Please use superscript numbers to indicate who is where. tion pathway that is activated in all eukaryotic organism in response to changes in the environment of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that adversely affect protein folding and assembly in the secretory pathway. The response is generally thought to protect cells from the transient alterations that can occur in the ER environment and serves to restore homeostatis in this organelle. Under extreme or prolonged stress, apoptotic pathways can be activated to destroy the cell. Recent studies re-veal that in addition to protecting cells from adverse physiological conditions, the UPR plays an essential role in the development and normal functioning of som