Title
Measuring ER stress and the unfolded protein response using mammalian tissue culture system
UMMS Affiliation
Program in Gene Function and Expression; Program in Molecular Medicine
Date
1-27-2011
Document Type
Book Chapter
Medical Subject Headings
Endoplasmic Reticulum; Unfolded Protein Response; Stress, Physiological; Tissue Culture Techniques
Disciplines
Genetics and Genomics
Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) functions to properly fold and process secreted and transmembrane proteins. Environmental and genetic factors that disrupt ER function cause an accumulation of misfolded and unfolded proteins in the ER lumen, a condition termed ER stress. ER stress activates a signaling network called the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) to alleviate this stress and restore ER homeostasis, promoting cell survival and adaptation. However, under unresolvable ER stress conditions, the UPR promotes apoptosis. Here, we discuss the current methods to measure ER stress levels, UPR activation, and subsequent pathways in mammalian cells. These methods will assist us in understanding the UPR and its contribution to ER stress-related disorders such as diabetes and neurodegeneration.
Rights and Permissions
Citation: Methods Enzymol. 2011;490:71-92. Link to article on publisher's site