Abstract: This invention provides the methodology and agents for treating any disease or clinical condition which is at least partly the result of endoplasmic reticulum-associated retention of proteins. Thus, the methods and agents of the present invention provide for the release of normally retained proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum. The present invention is particuarly useful for treating any disease or clinical condition which is at least partly the result of endoplasmic reticulum-associated retention or degradation of mis-assembled or mis-folded proteins.