Mechanisms, regulation and functions of the unfolded protein response

• Published in: Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology Vol. 21; no. 8; pp. 421 - 438
• Main Authors: Hetz, Claudio, Zhang, Kezhong, Kaufman, Randal J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 01.08.2020
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis; Apoptosis - physiology; Cell death; Cellular stress response; Cytosol; Diabetes mellitus; Endoplasmic reticulum; Endoplasmic Reticulum - metabolism; Endoplasmic Reticulum - physiology; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress - physiology; Folding; Genetic aspects; Humans; Neoplasms - metabolism; Neurodegeneration; Nuclei (cytology); Organs; Pathophysiology; Physiological aspects; Protein Folding; Proteins; Proteins - metabolism; Signal Transduction; Signaling; Stress (Physiology); Transcription; Transcription factors; Unfolded Protein Response - genetics; Unfolded Protein Response - physiology; United States
• ISSN: 1471-0072; 1471-0080
• DOI: 10.1038/s41580-020-0250-z

Cellular stress induced by the abnormal accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is emerging as a possible driver of human diseases, including cancer, diabetes, obesity and neurodegeneration. ER proteostasis surveillance is mediated by the unfolded protein response (UPR), a signal transduction pathway that senses the fidelity of protein folding in the ER lumen. The UPR transmits information about protein folding status to the nucleus and cytosol to adjust the protein folding capacity of the cell or, in the event of chronic damage, induce apoptotic cell death. Recent advances in the understanding of the regulation of UPR signalling and its implications in the pathophysiology of disease might open new therapeutic avenues.