[HTML][HTML] A Phos-tag-based approach reveals the extent of physiological endoplasmic reticulum stress

L Yang, Z Xue, Y He, S Sun, H Chen, L Qi - PloS one, 2010 - journals.plos.org
L Yang, Z Xue, Y He, S Sun, H Chen, L Qi
PloS one, 2010journals.plos.org
Cellular response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress or unfolded protein response (UPR)
is a key defense mechanism associated with many human diseases. Despite its basic and
clinical importance, the extent of ER stress inflicted by physiological and pathophysiological
conditions remains difficult to quantitate, posing a huge obstacle that has hindered our
further understanding of physiological UPR and its future therapeutic potential. Here we
have optimized a Phos-tag-based system to detect the activation status of two proximal UPR …
Cellular response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress or unfolded protein response (UPR) is a key defense mechanism associated with many human diseases. Despite its basic and clinical importance, the extent of ER stress inflicted by physiological and pathophysiological conditions remains difficult to quantitate, posing a huge obstacle that has hindered our further understanding of physiological UPR and its future therapeutic potential. Here we have optimized a Phos-tag-based system to detect the activation status of two proximal UPR sensors at the ER membrane. This method allowed for a quantitative assessment of the level of stress in the ER. Our data revealed quantitatively the extent of tissue-specific basal ER stress as well as ER stress caused by the accumulation of misfolded proteins and the fasting-refeeding cycle. Our study may pave the foundation for future studies on physiological UPR, aid in the diagnosis of ER-associated diseases and improve and facilitate therapeutic strategies targeting UPR in vivo.
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