Toxicogenomics and ecotoxicogenomics for studying endocrine disruption and basic biology

Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2007 Aug-Sep;153(1-3):25-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2007.01.013. Epub 2007 Jan 25.

Abstract

Chemicals released into the environment have the potential to disrupt the endocrine system in wild animals, mouse, and humans. To understand molecular mechanisms of chemical toxicity in various species, toxicogenomics/ecotoxicogenomics, describing the integration of genomics (trascriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics) into toxicology/ecotoxicology, needs to be established as a powerful tool for research. Ecotoxicogenomics is defined as the study of gene and protein expression in non-target organisms that is important in responses to environmental toxicant exposures. Estrogen-responsive genes and estrogen response element(s) in genes have been identified in the mouse reproductive tract by application of cDNA microarray technology. Additionally, functional mechanisms of tributyltin action via nuclear receptors such as retinoid X receptor alpha and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma also have been identified using cDNA microarray. A microarray system has been established for Daphnia magna. Toxicogenomics/ecotoxicogenomics provide powerful tools to help us understand not only molecular mechanisms of chemical toxicity but also the basic biology of various animal species.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biology / methods*
  • Daphnia / drug effects
  • Disorders of Sex Development / chemically induced
  • Disorders of Sex Development / genetics
  • Endocrine Disruptors / toxicity*
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Estrogens / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Genomics / methods*
  • Humans
  • Juvenile Hormones / agonists
  • Juvenile Hormones / pharmacology
  • Response Elements / drug effects
  • Sex Determination Processes
  • Snails / drug effects
  • Snails / genetics
  • Toxicology / methods*
  • Trialkyltin Compounds / pharmacology
  • Trialkyltin Compounds / toxicity
  • Vertebrates

Substances

  • Endocrine Disruptors
  • Estrogens
  • Juvenile Hormones
  • Trialkyltin Compounds
  • tributyltin