ATF-6 is a member of the basic-leucine zipper family of transcription factors. Endoplasmic reticulum stress causes cleavage of transmembrane ATF-6 and transclocation of active ATF-6 to the nucleus. Soluble ATF-6 can exist as either an ATF-6beta homodimer or an ATF-6alpha/beta heterodimer. Binding of the ATF-6beta homodimer or ATF-6alpha/beta heterodimer to the nuclear transcription factor Y C (NF-YC) induces ER chaperone transcription.