The Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response in Pollen Development and Heat Stress Tolerance

Abstract

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is defined by a protracted disruption in protein folding and accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the ER. This accumulation of unfolded proteins can result from excessive demands on the protein folding machinery triggered by environmental and cellular stresses such as nutrient deficiencies, oxidative stress, pathogens, and heat. The cell responds to ER stress by activating a protective pathway termed unfolded protein response (UPR), which comprises cellular mechanisms targeted to maintain cellular homeostasis by increasing the ER’s protein folding capacity. The UPR is especially significant for plants as being sessile requires them to adapt to m..