ERN2 induces translational repression through 28S ribosomal RNA cleavage in response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. This pro-apoptotic appears to play no role in the unfolded-protein response, unlike closely related proteins. Overexpression of ERN2 activates both BiP and CHOP expression, and also leads to the development of programmed cell death. It has been suggested that Ern2 plays a role in multiple facets of the ER stress response in mammalian cells.Synonyms: Endoplasmic reticulum-to-nucleus signaling 2, Inositol-requiring protein 2, Ire1-beta, Serine/threonine-protein kinase/endoribonuclease IRE2