Endoplasmic reticulum stress and prion diseases

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER), as an important cellular organelle in eukaryotic cells, is destroyed and dysfunctional under harmful stimuli. The stimuli cause the ER stress response which even induces the cell apoptosis. Recent studies indicate that ER stress is closely related to the occurrence and development of the neurodegenerative disease, for instance, prion diseases. The pathogenic agent known as misfolded prion protein causes the imbalance of ER homeostasis and then induces the neuron apoptosis. This review will summarize the latest research progress of the relationship between ER stress and prion diseases.