How Does Genetic Variation Affect Substrate Metabolism?
Genetic variations, such as polymorphisms in enzyme-coding genes, can affect how substrates are metabolized. These genetic differences can lead to variations in enzyme activity, resulting in differential metabolism of toxicants among individuals. For example, certain genetic polymorphisms in Cytochrome P450 enzymes can lead to poor metabolizers or fast metabolizers, impacting susceptibility to drug toxicity or therapeutic effectiveness.