Toxicants can affect the MAPK pathway at multiple levels. They can initiate, enhance, or inhibit different components of the pathway, leading to varied cellular outcomes. For example, oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) can activate the JNK and p38 MAPK pathways, promoting cell death or apoptosis. Conversely, some toxicants may inhibit the ERK pathway, impairing cell proliferation and survival. The specific effects depend on the type of toxicant, concentration, and duration of exposure.
