The UPR drives gametogenesis via an unexpected response, coordinating translation and ER structure.

Endogenous UPR is essential for gametogenesis in budding yeast, supporting ER integrity and meiosis with only mild target induction.

• Why it matters: Understanding natural UPR functions is crucial because they differ from stress-induced responses and are vital for cell fate decisions like gamete formation.
• What they did: The study examined the endogenous UPR during meiosis, showing its role in maintaining ER structure and facilitating meiosis, with key functions replaceable by increasing ER chaperones or reducing translation.
• The result: Findings demonstrate that physiological UPR activation promotes proteostasis and ER integrity, enabling meiosis, and reveal unexpected features of UPR’s role in cell differentiation.