IRE1

IRE1, or Inositol-Requiring Enzyme 1, is a crucial protein in cellular biology, serving as a sensor of stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). It plays a vital role in the unfolded protein response (UPR), a mechanism cells use to manage ER stress caused by the accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins. IRE1 has two main functions: it's a kinase and an endoribonuclease. When activated, IRE1 modifies itself and other proteins to adapt to stress conditions. Additionally, its RNase activity enables the splicing of XBP1 mRNA, leading to the production of a transcription factor that drives the expression of genes aimed at restoring normal ER function and alleviating stress. This makes IRE1 a significant target in diseases related to ER stress, including diabetes, neurodegeneration, and cancer.