In Aging-Related Diseases, Prolonged Stress Sparks ER To Release Calcium Stores And Induce Cell Death

Li et al. explain how prolonged stress sparks the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to release its calcium stores, inducing cells to undergo apoptosis in several aging-related diseases.The study will appear in the September 21, 2009 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology (online September 14). Stressful conditions cause misfolded proteins to accumulate in the ER.