Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
10:12
Measuring Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Unfolded Protein Response in HIV-1 Infected T-Cells and Analyzing its Role in HIV-1 Replication
Published on: June 14, 2024
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress & diabetes.
S Sundar Rajan1, V Srinivasan, M Balasubramanyam
1Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.
The Indian Journal of Medical Research
|May 15, 2007
Summary
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein response (UPR) dysfunction are implicated in type 2 diabetes pathogenesis. Understanding ER stress mechanisms is key to developing new therapeutic targets for insulin resistance.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Medicine
- Endocrinology
Background:
- The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is vital for protein folding, lipid synthesis, and quality control.
- ER stress occurs when the ER's protein-folding capacity is overwhelmed, potentially leading to apoptosis.
- The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a homeostatic pathway that balances protein synthesis with ER capacity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of ER stress and UPR dysfunction in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.
- To highlight the involvement of UPR in pancreatic beta-cells and peripheral insulin-resistant tissues (liver, adipose tissue).
- To emphasize the need for understanding ER stress mechanisms for identifying novel therapeutic targets.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on ER stress, UPR, and their connection to diabetes.
- Analysis of studies investigating UPR signaling in pancreatic beta-cells.
- Examination of research on UPR's role in peripheral insulin resistance.
Main Results:
- UPR dysfunction is crucial in diseases affecting high-secretion tissues, such as diabetes.
- Pancreatic beta-cells require efficient UPR signaling for insulin synthesis.
- UPR dysfunction contributes to insulin resistance in liver and adipose tissues.
Conclusions:
- Dysfunctional UPR signaling is a significant factor in type 2 diabetes development.
- Targeting ER stress pathways may offer new therapeutic strategies for diabetes and insulin resistance.
- Further research into ER stress mechanisms is essential for advancing diabetes treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Role of ER in the Secretory Pathway
Eukaryotic cells have a special pathway that enables communication between various intracellular membrane-bound compartments and also with the extracellular environment. This pathway is termed as the secretory pathway.
Components of the secretory pathway
About a third of proteins synthesized in the cell are sorted via the secretory route. They shuffle between different compartments in membrane-bound vesicles until they reach their final destination. The main intracellular compartments involved...
Components of the secretory pathway
About a third of proteins synthesized in the cell are sorted via the secretory route. They shuffle between different compartments in membrane-bound vesicles until they reach their final destination. The main intracellular compartments involved...
01:21Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum or smooth ER is a sub-organelle with specialized functions in animal cells and plant cells. It is often associated with the tubule morphology of the endoplasmic reticulum.
The ER provides optimal conditions for synthesizing steroid hormones and lipids, such as phospholipids and triglycerides. Traditionally, lipid metabolism was considered to be a smooth ER function. However, there is no direct evidence to prove that rough ER is completely excluded from lipid...
The ER provides optimal conditions for synthesizing steroid hormones and lipids, such as phospholipids and triglycerides. Traditionally, lipid metabolism was considered to be a smooth ER function. However, there is no direct evidence to prove that rough ER is completely excluded from lipid...
01:39Endoplasmic Reticulum
Endoplasmic ReticulumThe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an extensive network of membranous sacs and tubules in eukaryotic cells, continuous with the outer membrane of the nucleus. This structural continuity integrates nuclear and cytoplasmic processes and facilitates efficient intracellular transport. This allows mRNA to move directly from the nucleus to ribosomes for efficient protein synthesis. As a result, the ER serves as a central site for the synthesis, processing, and distribution of...
01:27Post-translational Translocation of Proteins to the RER
A sizable fraction of proteins destined for ER are first synthesized in the cell cytosol and then transported across the ER membrane–a process called post-translational translocation. Similar to cotranslationally translocated proteins, these proteins also use the Sec translocon complex to enter the ER lumen.
Targeting proteins to the ER
Hsp40 and Hsp70 chaperone molecules bind the translated proteins in the cytosol to prevent their folding. The chaperone binding helps to keep the signal...
Targeting proteins to the ER
Hsp40 and Hsp70 chaperone molecules bind the translated proteins in the cytosol to prevent their folding. The chaperone binding helps to keep the signal...
01:19Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Chronic stress has been linked to both the onset and progression of serious health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Type 2 diabetes, a widespread chronic illness, is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance, both of which often worsen under stress. Studies indicate that men experiencing high levels of chronic stress face a 45% higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with minimal stress. Stress triggers physiological responses that elevate blood...
01:43The Endoplasmic Reticulum
The endoplasmic reticulum or ER makes up for more than half of the membranes in a cell and accounts for 10% of total cell volume. It is also the primary protein and lipid synthesis factory for most cell organelles, such as the Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, secretory vesicles, and the plasma membrane. Despite being the most extensive and functionally complex subcellular organelle, ER was the last to be discovered. After years of deliberation, Keith Porter and George Palade in the year 1954,...