While there is a greater body of research describing a role for XBP1-signaling pathways in mammalian virus infection, new evidence linking bZIP60 signaling pathways to plant virus infection suggest that RNA viruses infecting eukaryotes may generally manipulate the UPR to cope with ER stress, promote virus infection while reducing cytopathic effects, and possibly alter antiviral immunity. The gene discussed is XBP1; the disease is viral infectious disease.