Activation of the unfolded protein response follows induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, resulting in widespread inhibition of protein expression. FLIP protein is particularly sensitive to stresses that perturb protein translation; as such, a reduction in FLIP is likely an early outcome of ER stress. Due to the anti-apoptotic role of FLIP, it is anticipated that potential decreases in FLIP would bring about an increase in sensitivity to death receptor stimuli and anoikis, a form of anchorage-dependent cell death. It was hypothesized that induction of ER stress results in downregulation of FLIP expression, resulting in sensitization of resistant tumour cells to death receptor stimuli and anoikis. From this hypothesis, it was determined that induction of ER stress through treatment of cells with brefeldin sensitized tumour cells to Fas-mediated cell death and anoikis. Moreover, over-expression of FLIP appeared to protect against ER stress-induced sensitization to cell death.

Activation of the unfolded protein response follows induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, resulting in widespread inhibition of protein expression. FLIP protein is particularly sensitive to stresses that perturb protein translation; as such, a reduction in FLIP is likely an early outcome of ER stress. Due to the anti-apoptotic role of FLIP, it is anticipated that potential decreases in FLIP would bring about an increase in sensitivity to death receptor stimuli and anoikis, a form of anchorage-dependent cell death. It was hypothesized that induction of ER stress results in downregulation of FLIP expression, resulting in sensitization of resistant tumour cells to death receptor stimuli and anoikis. From this hypothesis, it was determined that induction of ER stress through treatment of cells with brefeldin sensitized tumour cells to Fas-mediated cell death and anoikis. Moreover, over-expression of FLIP appeared to protect against ER stress-induced sensitization to cell death.