The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a cellular stress response related to the endoplasmic reticulum. It is a stress response that has been found to be conserved between all mammalian species, as well as yeast and worm organisms. This article focuses on the mammalian response.
The UPR is activated in response to an accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. In this scenario, the UPR has two primary aims: initially to restore normal function of the cell by halting protein translation and activate the signaling pathways that lead to increasing the production of molecular chaperones involved in protein folding. If these objectives are not achieved within a certain time lapse or the disruption is prolonged, the UPR aims towards apoptosis.
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