The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an important site for protein folding and becomes
“stressed” when its capacity to fold proteins is overwhelmed. In response,“unfolded protein
response”(UPR) genes are induced, increasing the capacity to fold proteins; if the response
is insufficient, then apoptosis ensues. For investigation of whether proteinuria and
hyperglycemia induce ER stress in renal epithelial cells, microarray data from biopsies of
established diabetic nephropathy (DN) were analyzed. Expression of UPR genes was …