What is the Unfolded Protein Response and its Importance in Toxicology?
The UPR is crucial for cell survival under stress conditions. It involves three primary signaling pathways mediated by IRE1, PERK, and ATF6. These pathways help to reduce the burden of misfolded proteins and restore ER function. However, if ER stress is prolonged or severe, it can lead to apoptosis. In toxicology, understanding the UPR is essential for elucidating how cells cope with toxic insults and for developing strategies to mitigate cell damage.
