Understanding the Functions of the Endoplasmic Reticulum
In the realm of cellular biology, understanding the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is essential. The ER is a complex network of membranes involved in the synthesis, folding, modification, and transport of proteins and lipids. Two distinct regions of the ER are recognized: the rough ER, which is studded with ribosomes, and the smooth ER, which lacks these ribosomes but is pivotal in lipid synthesis and detoxification processes. A recent study investigated the impact of certain pharmacological agents that target the SERCA (Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ ATPase) pump in the smooth ER. These agents were found to influence cellular calcium homeostasis and subsequently affect various metabolic pathways. Considering the metabolic versatility of the ER, which of the following statements about the roles of the rough and smooth ER is INCORRECT?