Research Summary
To function properly in the body, proteins must be folded into the correct shapes. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the cell’s hub for protein folding. But sometimes the process does not occur correctly, and misfolded proteins begin to accumulate. This can contribute to diseases like cancer. To prevent this from happening, cells rely on three ER-localized receptors to activate the unfolded protein response (UPR), reduce unfolded proteins, and restore ER function. As Canada Research Chair in Canada Research Chair in Cell Stress and Inflammation, Dr. Susan Logue is shedding light on this process.
She and her research team are studying how communication between these ER-localized receptors fine-tunes UPR signaling. They are also exploring how UPR activation influences processes such as inflammation, thereby controlling communication with neighboring cells. Their findings will offer valuable knowledge to support the development of therapies that target UPR, particularly for diseases characterized by chronic UPR activation, such as cancer.