Fig. 2

Representation of the general mechanism by which GRP78 functions within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). GRP78 plays a crucial role in assisting ER proteins by promoting their stability and facilitating the process of protein folding. This is achieved through its interaction with misfolded proteins and unassembled complexes, thereby initiating the ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. Within this pathway, GRP78 targets the misfolded proteins for degradation through a series of events that involve ubiquitination and subsequent proteasomal degradation