Production of mature, properly folded proteins is a critical function of the endoplasmic reticulum. Under periods of stress, unfolded proteins accumulate, potentially compromising cell function and viability. To deal with this problem, stress sensors in the endoplasmic reticulum, including double-stranded, RNA-activated protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, activating transcription factor 6α and β, and inositol-requiring kinase 1α, are activated, leading to far-reaching alterations in transcription that ultimately enhance the protein folding and processing capacity of the cell.
