What Is the Role of the Endoplasmic Reticulum in Toxicology?
The endoplasmic reticulum is involved in protein folding and lipid synthesis. It plays a significant role in the metabolism of xenobiotics. Toxins can induce ER stress by disrupting these processes, leading to the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Chronic ER stress can trigger cell death pathways, contributing to toxicant-induced cellular damage.
