Abstract: The present invention provides a method of reducing a level of a toxic protein in the cytosol of a cell, the method generally involving contacting the cell with an agent that induces a survival response by the cell. The present invention provides a method of reducing a level of a toxic protein in a cell, the method generally involving contacting the cell with an agent that induces sequestration of the toxic protein in an inclusion body in the cell. The present invention further provides methods of identifying an agent that induces sequestration of a toxic protein into an inclusion body. The present invention further provides methods of increasing the yield of a recombinant protein synthesized by a genetically modified prokaryotic or eukaryotic host cell.