In toxicology, the apoptosome is central to understanding how cells handle toxic insults. Various toxicants can induce apoptosis by affecting mitochondrial integrity, leading to cytochrome c release and apoptosome formation. For instance, certain heavy metals, like cadmium and mercury, can disrupt mitochondrial function, prompting apoptosome-driven apoptosis. Additionally, understanding apoptosome dynamics can help in assessing the carcinogenic potential of compounds, as dysregulation of apoptotic pathways is a hallmark of cancer.
