Probing natural variation of IRE1 expression and endoplasmic reticulum stress responses in Arabidopsis accessions.

The environmental effects shape genetic changes in the individuals within plant populations, which in turn contribute to the enhanced genetic diversity of the population as a whole. Thus, individuals within the same species can acquire and accumulate genetic differences in their genomes depending on their local environment and evolutionary history. IRE1 is a universal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress sensor that activates an evolutionarily conserved signalling cascade in response to biotic and abiotic stresses.