[Unfolded protein response: its role in physiology and physiopathology]

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the first compartment in the secretory pathway. In the ER, proteins fold into their native configuration and are modified by post-translational modifications. Perturbations that alter ER homeostasis therefore disrupt folding and lead to the accumulation of unfolded proteins. These perturbations include modifications of Ca2+ homeostasis, increased demand for protein folding due to elevated synthesis of proteins in specialized cells or expression of a mutant misfolded protein. To limit accumulation of unfolded proteins, the cells have developed a specialized pathway : the unfolded protein response (UPR). UPR involves the activation of three transmembrane proteins of the ER : the PKR-like ER protein kinase (PERK), the activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) and the inositol requiring enzyme 1 (IRE-1). The activation of all three components of the UPR depends on the dissociation of the luminal chaperone BiP/GRP78 from the luminal part of these proteins. Once activated, these pathways down-regulate protein synthesis through the phosphorylation of eiF2 (eucaryotic translation initiation factor 2) and up-regulate the transcription of genes which encode ER chaperones, protein folding enzymes and components of the ER-associated degradation system (ERAD). Growing evidences indicate that UPR signaling plays critical roles in nutrient sensing, differentiation of secretory cells such as pancreatic b cell and antibody producing plasma cells, glucose homeostasis and in the development of pathologies linked to accumulation of aggregated proteins.