Adaptation to ER Stress Is Mediated by Differential Stabilities of Pro-Survival and Pro-Apoptotic mRNAs and Proteins
2006
Choosing Between Cell Survival and Death
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Thomas Rutkowski, Randal Kaufman
Hypothesis
How does the cell select between adaptation and apoptosis when faced with unfolded proteins?
Conclusion
Cells can activate both survival and death pathways in response to stress, but the survival pathway is favored when unfolded protein levels are low.
Supporting Evidence
- Cells exposed to low levels of stress adapt and survive, while high levels lead to cell death.
- The protein BiP helps cells survive by stabilizing the response to stress.
- CHOP, a pro-apoptotic protein, is less stable and degrades quickly under low stress conditions.
Takeaway
When cells are stressed, they can either survive or die. If the stress isn't too bad, they choose to survive, but they are ready to die if things get worse.
Methodology
Cells were treated with chemicals that disrupt protein folding to activate the unfolded protein response.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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