XBP1 (X-box binding protein 1)

XBP1 (X-box binding protein 1) is a key protein involved in managing cell stress, particularly within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the cell’s protein factory. When cells produce too many misfolded or unfolded proteins, XBP1 helps activate genes that improve the cell’s ability to fold proteins properly and degrade faulty ones. This process, called the unfolded protein response (UPR), maintains cellular health and function. XBP1 thus plays a vital role in normal cell function and is also linked to diseases like diabetes, cancer, and neurodegeneration when this stress response becomes dysregulated.