Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress occurs when the ER, a cell structure responsible for protein folding and processing, becomes overwhelmed by misfolded or damaged proteins. This triggers a cellular response called the unfolded protein response (UPR), aiming to restore balance. If stress persists, it can lead to cell damage or death, contributing to various diseases like neurodegeneration, diabetes, and inflammation. Essentially, ER stress is the cell's way of reacting to an overload or malfunction in its protein management system.