Figure 8.

PFDNs contribute to cellular adaptive responses to stress

Different pathology-related environmental factors disrupt cellular functions, thus inducing a cellular response in order to restore homeostasis. PFDNs contribute to this cellular buffering response, either by their functions as PFDN complexes (classic or UPC) or by their actions as single proteins, as demonstrated for URI. PFDNs ensure a proper protein folding, as well as a proper regulation of cell cycle and survival, thus contributing to restore cellular homeostasis. When PFDNs' buffering activities are not enough to compensate the stress or when PFDN protein levels are altered, cell functions result dysregulated, leading to different pathological conditions.