Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Signalling During Development

Abstract

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a complex homeostatic programme that balances the load of secretory protein synthesis with the folding capacity of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Although originally believed to function predominantly as a stress response pathway, growing evidence supports a role for the UPR in the regulation of development. The study of human diseases alongside work with transgenic mouse models has implicated the UPR in a wide range of developmental processes. This chapter examines the three distinct branches of the UPR and their importance during development.