Melanoma and the Unfolded Protein Response

Melanoma and the Unfolded Protein Response

The UPR (unfolded protein response) has been identified as a key factor in the progression and metastasis of cancers, notably melanoma. Several mediators of the UPR are upregulated in cancers, e.g., high levels of GRP78 (glucose-regulator protein 78 kDa) correlate with progression and poor outcome in melanoma patients. The proliferative burden of cancer induces stress and activates several cell...

The unfolded protein response

Where does the UPR function? Between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. All secreted proteins and proteins that reside in secretory compartments translocate as nascent peptide chains into the ER, where they may undergo folding, modification and assembly before assuming their functional conformations. The ER maintains a specialized oxidizing environment to aid ch...

The unfolded protein response.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a principal site for folding and maturation of transmembrane, secretory and ERresident proteins. Perturbations that alter ER homeostasis can lead to accumulation of unfolded proteins (UPs), which is a threat to all living cells. To cope with the stress, cells activate an intracellular signaling pathway – the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR is an integr...

SnapShot: The Unfolded Protein Response

Unpacking the Unfolded Protein Response

This year, the Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award will be shared by Peter Walter and Kazutoshi Mori for discoveries revealing the molecular mechanism of the unfolded protein response, an intracellular quality control system that detects harmful misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum and then signals the nucleus to carry out corrective measures.