51
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Schiller V, Wichmann A, Kriehuber R, Schäfers C, Fischer R, Fenske M. Transcriptome alterations in zebrafish embryos after exposure to environmental estrogens and anti-androgens can reveal endocrine disruption. Reprod Toxicol 2013; 42:210-23. [PMID: 24051129 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2013.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Revised: 08/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to environmental chemicals known as endocrine disruptors (EDs) is in many cases associated with an unpredictable hazard for wildlife and human health. The identification of endocrine disruptive properties of chemicals certain to enter the aquatic environment relies on toxicity tests with fish, assessing adverse effects on reproduction and sexual development. The demand for quick, reliable ED assays favored the use of fish embryos as alternative test organisms. We investigated the application of a transcriptomics-based assay for estrogenic and anti-androgenic chemicals with zebrafish embryos. Two reference compounds, 17α-ethinylestradiol and flutamide, were tested to evaluate the effects on development and the transcriptome after 48h-exposures. Comparison of the transcriptome response with other estrogenic and anti-androgenic compounds (genistein, bisphenol A, methylparaben, linuron, prochloraz, propanil) showed commonalities and differences in regulated pathways, enabling us to classify the estrogenic and anti-androgenic potencies. This demonstrates that different mechanism of ED can be assessed already in fish embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Schiller
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
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52
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Jálová V, Jarošová B, Bláha L, Giesy JP, Ocelka T, Grabic R, Jurčíková J, Vrana B, Hilscherová K. Estrogen-, androgen- and aryl hydrocarbon receptor mediated activities in passive and composite samples from municipal waste and surface waters. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2013; 59:372-383. [PMID: 23911337 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2013.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2013] [Revised: 06/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/30/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Passive and composite sampling in combination with in vitro bioassays and identification and quantification of individual chemicals were applied to characterize pollution by compounds with several specific modes of action in urban area in the basin of two rivers, with 400,000 inhabitants and a variety of industrial activities. Two types of passive samplers, semipermeable membrane devices (SPMD) for hydrophobic contaminants and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) for polar compounds such as pesticides and pharmaceuticals, were used to sample wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) influent and effluent as well as rivers upstream and downstream of the urban complex and the WWTP. Compounds with endocrine disruptive potency were detected in river water and WWTP influent and effluent. Year-round, monthly assessment of waste waters by bioassays documented estrogenic, androgenic and dioxin-like potency as well as cytotoxicity in influent waters of the WWTP and allowed characterization of seasonal variability of these biological potentials in waste waters. The WWTP effectively removed cytotoxic compounds, xenoestrogens and xenoandrogens. There was significant variability in treatment efficiency of dioxin-like potency. The study indicates that the WWTP, despite its up-to-date technology, can contribute endocrine disrupting compounds to the river. Riverine samples exhibited dioxin-like, antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic potencies. The study design enabled characterization of effects of the urban complex and the WWTP on the river. Concentrations of PAHs and contaminants and specific biological potencies sampled by POCIS decreased as a function of distance from the city.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Jálová
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
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53
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Kapanen A, Vikman M, Rajasärkkä J, Virta M, Itävaara M. Biotests for environmental quality assessment of composted sewage sludge. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2013; 33:1451-1460. [PMID: 23540356 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2013.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Revised: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/22/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The quality of sewage sludge-based products, such as composts and growth media, is affected by the contamination of sewage sludge with, potentially, hundreds of different substances. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve the reliable environmental quality assessment of sewage sludge-based products solely based on chemical analysis. In the present work, we demonstrate the use of the kinetic luminescent bacteria test (ISO 21338) to evaluate acute toxicity and the Vitotox™ test to monitor genotoxicity of sewage sludge and composted sewages sludge. In addition, endocrine-disrupting and dioxin-like activity was studied using yeast-cell-based assays. The relative contribution of industrial waste water treated at the Waste Water Treatment Plants led to elevated concentrations of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and -furans (PCDD/F) in sewage sludge. The effect of elevated amounts of organic contaminants could also be identified with biotests able to demonstrate higher acute toxicity, genotoxicity, and potential for endocrine-disruptive properties. Additional extraction steps in kinetic luminescent bacteria test with DMSO and hexane increased the level of toxicity detected. Composting in a pilot-scale efficiently reduced the amounts of linear alkylbenzensulphonates (LASs), nonylphenols and nonylphenolethoxylates (NPE/NPs) and PAH with relative removal efficiencies of 84%, 61% and 56%. In addition, decrease in acute toxicity, genotoxicity and endocrorine-disrupting and dioxin-like activity during composting could be detected. However, the biotests did have limitations in accessing the ecotoxicity of test media rich with organic matter, such as sewage sludge and compost, and effects of sample characteristics on biotest organisms must be acknowledged. The compost matrix itself, however, which contained a high amount of nutrients, bark, and peat, reduced the sensitivity of the genotoxicity tests and yeast bioreporter assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anu Kapanen
- VTT, P.O. Box 1000, Tietotie 2, FI-02044 VTT, Finland
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54
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Kabiersch G, Rajasärkkä J, Tuomela M, Hatakka A, Virta M, Steffen K. Bioluminescent yeast assay for detection of organotin compounds. Anal Chem 2013; 85:5740-5. [PMID: 23662949 DOI: 10.1021/ac4003062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Organotin compounds are toxic and endocrine disrupting compounds, which have been intensively used as antifouling paints for ship hulls and thus are widely spread in the environment. They are suspected to cause imposex, the formation of male characteristics in female gastropods, because of the activation of retinoid X receptor (RXR) at very low environmental concentrations. Here we report the development and optimization of a bioluminescent yeast assay for the detection of organotin compounds based on the interaction with a hybrid RXR and subsequent expression of a reporter luciferase gene. This assay is highly specific toward organotin compounds and natural ligands of the RXR. It detects tributyltin and triphenyltin in nanomolar concentrations (detection limits were found to be 30 nM and 110 nM, respectively) and allows small-scale high-throughput analyses. Furthermore it was possible to measure tributyltin directly in untreated spiked sediments. Thus, the results provided within one working day can be used for the assessment of bioavailability and mixture effect of organotin compounds in environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grit Kabiersch
- Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, FIN-00014, Helsinki, Finland.
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55
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Xu T, Close DM, Sayler GS, Ripp S. Genetically modified whole-cell bioreporters for environmental assessment. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2013; 28:125-141. [PMID: 26594130 PMCID: PMC4649933 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2012.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Living whole-cell bioreporters serve as environmental biosentinels that survey their ecosystems for harmful pollutants and chemical toxicants, and in the process act as human and other higher animal proxies to pre-alert for unfavorable, damaging, or toxic conditions. Endowed with bioluminescent, fluorescent, or colorimetric signaling elements, bioreporters can provide a fast, easily measured link to chemical contaminant presence, bioavailability, and toxicity relative to a living system. Though well tested in the confines of the laboratory, real-world applications of bioreporters are limited. In this review, we will consider bioreporter technologies that have evolved from the laboratory towards true environmental applications, and discuss their merits as well as crucial advancements that still require adoption for more widespread utilization. Although the vast majority of environmental monitoring strategies rely upon bioreporters constructed from bacteria, we will also examine environmental biosensing through the use of less conventional eukaryotic-based bioreporters, whose chemical signaling capacity facilitates a more human-relevant link to toxicity and health-related consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Xu
- The University of Tennessee Center for Environmental Biotechnology, 676 Dabney Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Dan M. Close
- The Joint Institute for Biological Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PO Box 2008, MS6342 Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Gary S. Sayler
- The University of Tennessee Center for Environmental Biotechnology, 676 Dabney Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
- The Joint Institute for Biological Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PO Box 2008, MS6342 Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Steven Ripp
- The University of Tennessee Center for Environmental Biotechnology, 676 Dabney Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
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56
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In vitro androgen bioassays as a detection method for designer androgens. SENSORS 2013; 13:2148-63. [PMID: 23389345 PMCID: PMC3649408 DOI: 10.3390/s130202148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2012] [Revised: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 01/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Androgens are the class of sex steroids responsible for male sexual characteristics, including increased muscle mass and decreased fat mass. Illicit use of androgen doping can be an attractive option for those looking to enhance sporting performance and/or physical appearance. The use of in vitro bioassays to detect androgens, especially designer or proandrogens, is becoming increasingly important in combating androgen doping associated with nutritional supplements. The nutritional sports supplement market has grown rapidly throughout the past decade. Many of these supplements contain androgens, designer androgens or proandrogens. Many designer or proandrogens cannot be detected by the standard highly-sensitive screening methods such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry because their chemical structure is unknown. However, in vitro androgen bioassays can detect designer and proandrogens as these assays are not reliant on knowing the chemical structure but instead are based on androgen receptor activation. For these reasons, it may be advantageous to use routine androgen bioassay screening of nutraceutical samples to help curb the increasing problem of androgen doping.
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57
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Jarosova B, Blaha L, Vrana B, Randak T, Grabic R, Giesy JP, Hilscherova K. Changes in concentrations of hydrophilic organic contaminants and of endocrine-disrupting potential downstream of small communities located adjacent to headwaters. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2012; 45:22-31. [PMID: 22572113 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2012.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2012] [Revised: 03/28/2012] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine-disruptive potential and concentrations of polar organic contaminants were measured in seven headwaters flowing through relatively unpolluted areas of the Czech Republic. Towns with Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) discharges were the first known sources of anthropogenic pollution in the areas. River water was sampled several kilometers upstream (US) and several tens of meters downstream (DS) of the WWTP discharges, by use of Pesticide and Pharmaceutical Polar Organic Integrative Samplers (POCIS-Pest, POCIS-Pharm). Extracts of passive samplers were tested by use of a battery of in vitro bioassays to determine overall non-specific cytotoxicity, endocrine-disruptive (ED) potential and dioxin-like toxicity. The extracts were also used for quantification of polar organics. There was little toxicity to cells caused by most extracts of POCIS. Estrogenicity was detected in all types of samples even though US locations are considered to be background. At US locations, concentrations of estrogen equivalents (EEq) ranged from less than the detection limits (LOD) to 0.5 ng EEq/POCIS. Downstream concentrations of EEqs ranged from less than LOD to 4.8 ng EEq/POCIS. Concentrations of EEq in POCIS extracts from all DS locations were 1 to 14 times greater than those at US locations. Concentrations of EEq measured in extracts of POCIS-Pest and POCIS-Pharm were in a good agreement. Neither antiestrogenic nor anti/androgenic activities were detected. Concentrations of 2,3,7,8-TCDD equivalents (TEq(bio)) were detected in both types of POCIS at concentrations ranging from less than the LOD to 0.39 ng TEq(bio)/POCIS. Nearly all extracts of POCIS-Pharm contained greater concentrations of TEq(bio) activity than extracts of POCIS-Pest. Concentrations of pesticides and pharmaceuticals in extracts of POCIS were generally small at all sampling sites, but levels of some pharmaceuticals were significantly greater in both types of POCIS from DS locations. Chemical analyses along with the results of bioassays documented impacts of small towns with WWTPs on headwaters.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Jarosova
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 126/3, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
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58
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Ezechiáš M, Svobodová K, Cajthaml T. Hormonal activities of new brominated flame retardants. CHEMOSPHERE 2012; 87:820-824. [PMID: 22236593 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.12.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2011] [Revised: 12/16/2011] [Accepted: 12/19/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
After the phase-out of two commercial mixtures of brominated flame retardants, an increasing number of alternative flame retardants have been introduced in commercial applications. None of them, however, has been thoroughly tested for its hormonal activity. We used two yeast reporter-gene assays to determine the potential of eleven compounds to interfere with estrogenic and androgenic pathways. Our data demonstrate the ability of 2,4,6-tribromophenol to lower the transcriptional activity of human estrogen and androgen receptors. A nominal IC(50) value of 14.1 μM for anti-estrogenic and 3.9 μM for anti-androgenic activity was obtained using the luciferase reporter. An IC(50) value of 9.2 μM was calculated for the anti-estrogenic activity measured by the β-galactosidase assay. Of the tested chemicals, this study highlights the endocrine disrupting effects of 2,4,6-tribromophenol whose occurrence in the environment should be monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ezechiáš
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology ASCR, v.v.i., Vídeňská 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
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59
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Cadwallader AB, Lim CS, Rollins DE, Botrè F. The androgen receptor and its use in biological assays: looking toward effect-based testing and its applications. J Anal Toxicol 2012; 35:594-607. [PMID: 22080898 DOI: 10.1093/anatox/35.9.594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid abuse is a growing problem among amateur and professional athletes. Because of an inundation of newly and illegally synthesized steroids with minor structural modifications and other designer steroid receptor modulators, there is a need to develop new methods of detection which do not require prior knowledge of the abused steroid structure. The number of designer steroids currently being abused is unknown because detection methods in general are only identifying substances with a known structure. The detection of doping is moving away from merely checking for exposure to prohibited substance toward detecting an effect of prohibited substances, as biological assays can do. Cell-based biological assays are the next generation of assays which should be utilized by antidoping laboratories; they can detect androgenic anabolic steroid and other human androgen receptor (hAR) ligand presence without knowledge of their structure and assess the relative biological activity of these compounds. This review summarizes the hAR and its action and discusses its relevance to sports doping and its use in biological assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy B Cadwallader
- Laboratorio Antidoping, Federazione Medico Sportiva Italiana, Largo Giulio Onesti, Rome, Italy.
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60
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Jardim WF, Montagner CC, Pescara IC, Umbuzeiro GA, Di Dea Bergamasco AM, Eldridge ML, Sodré FF. An integrated approach to evaluate emerging contaminants in drinking water. Sep Purif Technol 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2011.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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61
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Colosi JC, Kney AD. A yeast estrogen screen without extraction provides fast, reliable measures of estrogenic activity. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2011; 30:2261-2269. [PMID: 21755530 DOI: 10.1002/etc.618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2010] [Revised: 09/03/2010] [Accepted: 06/23/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Yeast estrogen screen (YES) has been used since 1996 as a bioassay to quantify activity in wastewater. Here we present a modification of YES to measure estrogenic activity in water. This modification, called yeast estrogen screen no extraction (YESne), is faster and easier than the common method. The modified method can detect 17β-estradiol equivalent concentrations down to 1.1 ng/L. The median effective concentration value (EC50) is 1.2E-10. It detected average influent concentrations of 16.4 and 17.5 ng/L of 17β-estradiol equivalent at four Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, USA, wastewater treatment plants on September 18 and October 23, 2008, respectively, and average effluent concentrations of 5.1 and 8.1 ng/L of 17β-estradiol equivalent at the same plants on the two dates, respectively. Reduction in 17β-estradiol equivalent activity for the four wastewater treatment plants averaged 67.8 and 52.3%, respectively, for the September 18 and October 23 samples. The YESne is a simple, quick method for quantifying estrogenic activity that has been used successfully in nonmajor undergraduate classes and could be adapted by wastewater treatment plant laboratory technicians to measure influent and effluent estrogenicity on a regular basis. This practice will greatly increase our knowledge base of estrogenicity in wastewater before and after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C Colosi
- Natural Science Department, DeSales University, Center Valley, Pennsylvania, USA.
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62
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Developing a compound-specific receptor for bisphenol a by directed evolution of human estrogen receptor α. Biotechnol Bioeng 2011; 108:2526-34. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.23214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2011] [Revised: 05/10/2011] [Accepted: 05/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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63
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Chelikani V, Rawson FJ, Downard AJ, Gooneratne R, Kunze G, Pasco N, Baronian KH. Electrochemical detection of oestrogen binding protein interaction with oestrogen in Candida albicans cell lysate. Biosens Bioelectron 2011; 26:3737-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2011.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2010] [Revised: 01/08/2011] [Accepted: 01/13/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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64
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Kabiersch G, Rajasärkkä J, Ullrich R, Tuomela M, Hofrichter M, Virta M, Hatakka A, Steffen K. Fate of bisphenol A during treatment with the litter-decomposing fungi Stropharia rugosoannulata and Stropharia coronilla. CHEMOSPHERE 2011; 83:226-232. [PMID: 21295326 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.12.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2010] [Revised: 12/29/2010] [Accepted: 12/30/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Bisphenol A is an endocrine disrupting compound, which is ubiquitous in the environment due to its wide use in plastic and resin production. Seven day old cultures of the litter-decomposing fungus Stropharia coronilla removed the estrogenic activity of bisphenol A (BPA) rapidly and enduringly. Treatment of BPA with purified neutral manganese peroxidase (MnP) from this fungus also resulted in 100% reduction of estrogenic activity, as analyzed using a bioluminescent yeast assay, and in the formation of polymeric compounds. In cultures of Stropharia rugosoannulata, estrogenic activity also quickly disappeared but temporarily re-emerged in the further course of cultivation. LC-MS analysis of the extracted estrogenic culture liquid revealed [M-H](-) ions with m/z values of 219 and 235. We hypothesize that these compounds are ring fission products of BPA, which still exhibit one intact hydroxyphenyl group to interact with estrogen receptors displayed by the yeast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grit Kabiersch
- Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 56, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
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65
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Roda A, Cevenini L, Michelini E, Branchini BR. A portable bioluminescence engineered cell-based biosensor for on-site applications. Biosens Bioelectron 2011; 26:3647-53. [PMID: 21388801 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2011.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2010] [Revised: 02/02/2011] [Accepted: 02/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We have developed a portable biosensing device based on genetically engineered bioluminescent (BL) cells. Cells were immobilized on a 4 × 3 multiwell cartridge using a new biocompatible matrix that preserved their vitality. Using a fiber optic taper, the cartridge was placed in direct contact with a cooled CCD sensor to image and quantify the BL signals. Yeast and bacterial cells were engineered to express recognition elements, whose interaction with the analyte led to luciferase expression, via reporter gene technology. Three different biosensors were developed. The first detects androgenic compounds using yeast cells carrying a green-emitting P. pyralis luciferase regulated by the human androgen receptor and a red mutant of the same species as internal vitality control. The second biosensor detects two classes of compounds (androgens and estrogens) using yeast strains engineered to express green-or red-emitting mutant firefly luciferases in response to androgens or estrogens, respectively. The third biosensor detects lactose analogue isopropyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside using two E. coli strains. One strain exploits the lac operon as recognition element for the expression of P. pyralis luciferase. The other strain serves as a vitality control expressing Gaussia princeps luciferase, which requires a different luciferin substrate. The immobilized cells were stable for up to 1 month. The analytes could be detected at nanomolar levels with good precision and accuracy when the specific signal was corrected using the internal vitality control. This portable device can be used for on-site multiplexed bioassays for different compound classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Roda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Belmeloro 6, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
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66
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Mu Y, Peng S, Zhang A, Wang L. Role of pocket flexibility in the modulation of estrogen receptor alpha by key residue arginine 394. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2011; 30:330-336. [PMID: 21038436 DOI: 10.1002/etc.389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Estradiol derivatives, with similar structures as estradiol (E2) or estradiol metabolites, have been recognized to have detrimental health effects on wildlife and humans. However, data at the molecular level about interactions of these compounds with biological targets are still lacking. Herein, a flexible docking approach was used to characterize the molecular interaction of nine estradiol derivatives with estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in the ligand-binding domain. All ligands were docked in the buried hydrophobic cavity of the steroid hormone pocket. In addition, the plasticity of an active site was also identified by reversing amino acid arginine 394 for better ligand-receptor binding affinity. Finally, bioassays based on genetically modified yeast strains were used to validate the quality of molecular simulation because of their rapidity and high sensitivity. The experimental findings about logarithm values of the median effective concentration (EC50) value had a linear correlation with computational binding affinity from molecular docking, which described a pattern of interaction between estradiol derivatives and ER. The estrogenic activity of all compounds, although more or less lower than E2, was proved to possess high severe environmental risks. Considering the sidechain flexibility in the ligand binding pocket, 17α-ethylestradiol-3-cyclopentylether was reported to correlate highly significantly with known induced fit conformational changes based upon proof-of-principle calculations on human ERα with the preservation of a strong salt bridge between glutamic acid 353 and arginine 394.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunsong Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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67
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Di Dea Bergamasco AM, Eldridge M, Sanseverino J, Sodré FF, Montagner CC, Pescara IC, Jardim WF, Umbuzeiro GDA. Bioluminescent yeast estrogen assay (BLYES) as a sensitive tool to monitor surface and drinking water for estrogenicity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 13:3288-93. [DOI: 10.1039/c1em10464k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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68
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Svobodová K, Cajthaml T. New in vitro reporter gene bioassays for screening of hormonal active compounds in the environment. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2010; 88:839-47. [PMID: 20737269 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-010-2833-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2010] [Revised: 08/09/2010] [Accepted: 08/09/2010] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Identification of chemicals with endocrine-disrupting activities in the past two decades has led to the need for sensitive assays for detection and monitoring of these activities in the environment. In vitro reporter gene assays represent a relatively fast and easy-to-perform method for detection of compounds that are able to bind to hormonal receptors and stimulate or silence their transactivation activity, thus interfering with the hormone signaling pathways. This paper reviews upgrades on reporter gene assays performed during the last decade. The utilization of new reporter genes (luciferase and green fluorescent protein coding genes) significantly improved the sensitivity of the tests and made them faster. Reporter gene assays now represent a high-throughput system for screening chemicals for hormonal activity. Finally, modification of test set-ups for testing anti-hormonal activities also enabled measurements of endocrine-disrupting activities in complex environmental samples such as sediments and wastewater treatment plant effluents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Svobodová
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology of ASCR, v.v.i., Videnska, 1083 Prague, Czech Republic.
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69
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Maser E, Xiong G. The Comamonas testosteroni steroid biosensor system (COSS)--reflection on other methods. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2010; 121:633-40. [PMID: 20558289 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2010.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2010] [Revised: 06/04/2010] [Accepted: 06/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Natural and synthetic steroid hormones are released uncontrolled into the environment and are considered as pollutants with regard to their endocrine activity and negative influence on all kind of organisms. Due to their widespread presence, endocrine activity even at low concentrations, and their potential adverse effects in both the environment and human health, there is an increasing need for the development of rapid, sensitive and quantitative techniques for measuring trace levels of these steroids. In addition to classical analytical methods like GC-MS, LC-MS and others, several techniques have been established that are based on human nuclear steroid receptors as reporter systems. However, many of these systems require human or yeast cell culture and are therefore time consuming and expensive, while others suffer from too low sensitivity or cover only one specific steroid compound. These are some of the main reasons that limit current techniques for environmental application. The remarkable ability of certain microorganisms to transform and degrade the steroid nucleus and to respond with the induced expression of steroid regulated genes lead us to explore, whether the steroid signalling machinery of Comamonas testosteroni could be used to construct a steroid sensoring system that is sensitive, rapid, easy to perform, and which could also be applied to detect environmental steroid mixtures at low concentrations. Both whole C. testosteroni mutant cells as well as the cytosol thereof were used as new and sensitive fluorescence based biosensor systems for the successful determination and quantification of a variety of different steroids. We could show that our COSS (Comamonas testosteroniSteroid Sensor) is able to detect testosterone, estradiol and cholesterol in concentrations of 29pg/mL, 0.027pg/mL, and 9.7pg/mL, respectively. The sensitivity of the COSS together with the fact that it is very fast, reproducible and can be used for high-throughput screening in a microplate format makes it suitable for the detection of single steroid hormones or steroid hormone mixtures in environmental samples at low costs. In summary, the COSS is able to detect steroid hormone effects at the molecular level through activation of bacterial steroid-sensing systems. In the future, it may be further developed as a useful tool for the integrative assessment of ecotoxicological potentials caused by hormonally active agents and endocrine-disrupting compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmund Maser
- Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology for Natural Scientists, University Medical School Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Brunswiker Str. 10, 24105 Kiel, Germany.
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Development of a rapid screening and surveillance for estrogenic chemicals in environment based on recombinant yEGFP yeast cell. Toxicol In Vitro 2010; 24:1285-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2010.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2009] [Revised: 02/04/2010] [Accepted: 03/15/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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72
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Hilscherová K, Dusek L, Sídlová T, Jálová V, Cupr P, Giesy JP, Nehyba S, Jarkovský J, Klánová J, Holoubek I. Seasonally and regionally determined indication potential of bioassays in contaminated river sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2010; 29:522-534. [PMID: 20821474 DOI: 10.1002/etc.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
River sediments are a dynamic system, especially in areas where floods occur frequently. In the present study, an integrative approach is used to investigate the seasonal and spatial dynamics of contamination of sediments from a regularly flooded industrial area in the Czech Republic, which presents a suitable model ecosystem for pollutant distribution research at a regional level. Surface sediments were sampled repeatedly to represent two different hydrological situations: spring (after the peak of high flow) and autumn (after longer period of low flow). Samples were characterized for abiotic parameters and concentrations of priority organic pollutants. Toxicity was assessed by Microtox test; genotoxicity by SOS-chromotest and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-yeast test; and the presence of compounds with specific mode of action by in vitro bioassays for dioxin-like activity, anti-/androgenicity, and anti-/estrogenicity. Distribution of organic contaminants varied among regions and seasonally. Although the results of Microtox and genotoxicity tests were relatively inconclusive, all other specific bioassays led to statistically significant regional and seasonal differences in profiles and allowed clear separation of upstream and downstream regions. The outcomes of these bioassays indicated an association with concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as master variables. There were significant interrelations among dioxin-like activity, antiandrogenicity and content of organic carbon, clay, and concentration of PAHs and PCBs, which documents the significance of abiotic factors in accumulation of pollutants. The study demonstrates the strength of the specific bioassays in indicating the changes in contamination and emphasizes the crucial role of a well-designed sampling plan, in which both spatial and temporal dynamics should be taken into account, for the correct interpretations of information in risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klára Hilscherová
- RECETOX-Research Centre for Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 3, Brno, Czech Republic.
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73
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Balsiger HA, de la Torre R, Lee WY, Cox MB. A four-hour yeast bioassay for the direct measure of estrogenic activity in wastewater without sample extraction, concentration, or sterilization. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2010; 408:1422-9. [PMID: 20074779 PMCID: PMC2839367 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2009] [Revised: 12/08/2009] [Accepted: 12/15/2009] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The assay described here represents an improved yeast bioassay that provides a rapid yet sensitive screening method for EDCs with very little hands-on time and without the need for sample preparation. Traditional receptor-mediated reporter assays in yeast were performed twelve to twenty four hours after ligand addition, used colorimetric substrates, and, in many cases, required high, non-physiological concentrations of ligand. With the advent of new chemiluminescent substrates a ligand-induced signal can be detected within thirty minutes using high picomolar to low nanomolar concentrations of estrogen. As a result of the sensitivity (EC(50) for estradiol is approximately 0.7nM) and the very short assay time (2-4h) environmental water samples can typically be assayed directly without sterilization, extraction, and concentration. Thus, these assays represent rapid and sensitive approaches for determining the presence of contaminants in environmental samples. As proof of principle, we directly assayed wastewater influent and effluent taken from a wastewater treatment plant in the El Paso, TX area for the presence of estrogenic activity. The data obtained in the four-hour yeast bioassay directly correlated with GC-mass spectrometry analysis of these same water samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather A. Balsiger
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968
- Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968
| | - Roberto de la Torre
- Environmental Science and Engineering Ph.D. Program, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968
| | - Wen-Yee Lee
- Environmental Science and Engineering Ph.D. Program, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968
- Department of Chemistry, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968
| | - Marc B. Cox
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968
- Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 W University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968
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Sources and Distributions of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Toxicity of Polluted Atmosphere Aerosols. URBAN AIRBORNE PARTICULATE MATTER 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-12278-1_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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75
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Single plasmids expressing human steroid hormone receptors and a reporter gene for use in yeast signaling assays. Plasmid 2009; 63:73-8. [PMID: 19962400 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2009.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2009] [Revised: 10/17/2009] [Accepted: 11/04/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Single plasmids designed to express the six human type I steroid hormone receptors and detect signaling activity are described in this report. These stably replicating plasmids reported ligand-induced transcriptional activation via lacZ assays in Baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The ligand concentrations needed to activate signaling in yeast expressing these plasmids spanned five orders of magnitude as based on comparisons of EC(50) values. Radicicol, a direct inhibitor of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and an indirect inhibitor of steroid hormone receptor signaling, was used to determine the functional utility of this yeast reporter system. The inhibitory effect of radicicol was similar on the signaling of all six steroid hormone receptors and was distinguishable from cytotoxic effects that occurred with higher concentrations. These yeast plasmids provide a high throughput system for comparative assessment of steroid hormone receptor signaling and may be useful in screening for pharmacological or xenobiotic activities.
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Svobodová K, Placková M, Novotná V, Cajthaml T. Estrogenic and androgenic activity of PCBs, their chlorinated metabolites and other endocrine disruptors estimated with two in vitro yeast assays. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2009; 407:5921-5925. [PMID: 19716585 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2009] [Revised: 08/06/2009] [Accepted: 08/07/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Investigations of environmental pollution by endocrine-disrupting chemicals are now in progress. Up to now, several in vitro bioassays have been developed for evaluation of the endocrine disruptive activity; however, there is still a lack of comparative studies of their sensitivity. In this work comparison of the estrogen screening assay based on beta-galactosidase expression and a bioluminescent estrogen screen revealed differences in the sensitivity and specificity of the two tests. With the beta-galactosidase screen a slight estrogen-like activity of Delor 103, a commercial mixture of PCB congeners, and a fungicide triclosan was measured whereas no activity was detected using the bioluminescent assay. A bioluminescent androgen test negated previously suggested androgenic potential of triclosan. Further, this work demonstrates the androgenic activity of Delor 103, with an EC(50) value of 2.29 x 10(-2)mg/L. On the other hand, chlorobenzoic acids (CBAs), representing potential PCB degradation metabolites, exhibited no androgenic activity but were slightly estrogenic. Their estrogenicity varied with their chemical structure, with 2,3-CBA, 2,3,6-CBA, 2,4,6-CBA and monochlorinated compounds exhibiting the highest activity. Thus the results indicated possible transitions of the hormonal activity of PCBs during bacterial degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Svobodová
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídenská 1083, CZ-142 20 Prague, Czech Republic.
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77
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Välimaa AL, Kivistö AT, Leskinen PI, Karp MT. A novel biosensor for the detection of zearalenone family mycotoxins in milk. J Microbiol Methods 2009; 80:44-8. [PMID: 19887091 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2009.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2009] [Revised: 10/21/2009] [Accepted: 10/24/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a method for detecting estrogenic mycotoxin residues in milk was developed utilizing bioluminescent whole-cell biosensors. Milk products of various compositions were spiked with the estrogenic mycotoxins zearalenone and its metabolites zearalanone, alpha-zearalanol, beta-zearalanol, alpha-zearalenol and beta-zearalenol. The estrogenic response was detected by a whole-cell biosensor based on a genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain that in the presence of an estrogenic compound produces firefly luciferase-enzyme and further light emission within a system provided with D-luciferin substrate. The results show that the yeast sensor reacts to mycotoxins with typical sigmoidal response at nanomolar concentrations. The response differs in different milk products with regard to the fat content of the milk. Due to short assay time of less than 3h and automation the approach can be used as a bioavailability and activity screening method prior to more detailed chemical analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Liisa Välimaa
- Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Tampere University of Technology, P.O. Box, 541, FI- 33101 Tampere, Finland.
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78
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Sídlová T, Novák J, Janosek J, Andel P, Giesy JP, Hilscherová K. Dioxin-like and endocrine disruptive activity of traffic-contaminated soil samples. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2009; 57:639-650. [PMID: 19488800 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-009-9345-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2008] [Accepted: 05/11/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Pollution of surface soils by traffic, especially along major highways, can be a significant issue. Numerous studies have demonstrated traffic to be an important source of particulate matter and gas-phase organic air pollutants that produce many types of deleterious effects. This article brings original information about the presence of contaminants with specific mechanisms of action in traffic-influenced soils as determined by bioanalytical approaches and instrumental analyses. The initial phase of the study aimed to compare contamination of soils near highways with those from reference localities, whereas the second phase of the study investigated the influence of traffic pollution in soils at various distances from highways. For the reference areas, forest soils contained greater concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TCDD-EQs; 483 to 2094 pg/g) than did arable soils (96 to 478 pg/g), which represent the relevant reference for the studied soils along highways. The total concentration of TCDD-EQs determined in the in vitro transactivation assay ranged from 225 to 27,700 pg/g in traffic-affected soils. The greatest concentration of TCDD-EQs among the studied sites was observed in soils collected near highway D1, which is the primary thoroughfare in the Czech Republic. The concentrations of TCDD-EQs in roadside soils were the greatest and decreased with increased distance from highways, and this spatial distribution corresponded with the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Soils collected 100 m away from highways in most cases contained concentrations of TCDD-EQs similar to background values. Most TCDD-EQ presence was caused by nonpersistent compounds in soils, with a significant contribution from PAHs as well as other unknown nonpersistent chemicals. Extracts from most soils collected near highways exhibited antiestrogenic and in some cases antiandrogenic activities; for several sites the activity was also detected in soils farther from highways. The presence of TCDD-EQs and antihormonal activity in highway-affected soils points to traffic as a source of polluting compounds having specific effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Sídlová
- RECETOX, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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79
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Kasemets K, Ivask A, Dubourguier HC, Kahru A. Toxicity of nanoparticles of ZnO, CuO and TiO2 to yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Toxicol In Vitro 2009; 23:1116-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2009.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 368] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2009] [Revised: 05/11/2009] [Accepted: 05/26/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Pessala P, Keränen J, Schultz E, Nakari T, Karhu M, Ahkola H, Knuutinen J, Herve S, Paasivirta J, Ahtiainen J. Evaluation of biodegradation of nonylphenol ethoxylate and lignin by combining toxicity assessment and chemical characterization. CHEMOSPHERE 2009; 75:1506-1511. [PMID: 19344930 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2008] [Revised: 01/30/2009] [Accepted: 02/06/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The aerobic biodegradation of commercial nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) mixture and alkali lignin was studied using the OECD headspace test accompanied by the simultaneous measurement of ecotoxicity directly from the biodegradation liquors and by the follow-up of the chemical composition of the studied chemicals. NPE degradation was dependent on the inoculum source: approximately 40% of NPE was mineralized into CO(2) during the 4-week experiment when inoculum from Helsinki City wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was used, and only 12% was mineralized when inoculum from Jyväskylä City WWTP was used. Chemical analyses revealed a shift in the ethoxylate chain length from longer to shorter soon after the beginning of the NPE biodegradation tests. At the same time also toxicity (reverse electron transport assay, RET) and estrogenic activity (human estrogen receptor yeast) measured directly from the biodegradation liquors decreased. In case of alkali lignin, approximately 11% was mineralized in the test and chemical analysis showed in maximum a 30% decrease in lignin concentration. Toxicity of lignin biodegradation liquors started to decrease in the beginning of the test, but became more toxic towards the end of the test again. Especially RET assay proved to be sensitive enough for measuring toxicity changes directly from biodegradation liquors, although a concentrating treatment of the liquors is recommended for a more detailed characterization and identification of toxic metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Pessala
- Finnish Environment Institute, PO Box 140, FI-00251 Helsinki, Finland
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81
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Bovee TF, Bor G, Heskamp HH, Lasaroms JJ, Sanders MB, Nielen MW. Validation and application of a yeast bioassay for screening androgenic activity in calf urine and feed. Anal Chim Acta 2009; 637:225-34. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2008.06.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2008] [Revised: 06/19/2008] [Accepted: 06/23/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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82
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Novák J, Jálová V, Giesy JP, Hilscherová K. Pollutants in particulate and gaseous fractions of ambient air interfere with multiple signaling pathways in vitro. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2009; 35:43-9. [PMID: 18678411 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2008.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2008] [Revised: 06/23/2008] [Accepted: 06/24/2008] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, contamination of air has been evaluated primarily by chemical analyses of indicator contaminants and these studies have focused mainly on compounds associated with particulates. Some reports have shown that air contaminants can produce specific biological effects such as toxicity mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) or modulation of the endocrine system. This study assessed the dioxin-like toxicity, anti-/estrogenicity, anti-/androgenicity and anti-/retinoic activity of both the particulate and gas phase fractions of air in two regions with different types of pollution sources and a background locality situated in an agricultural area of Central Europe. The first region (A) is known to be significantly contaminated by organochlorine pesticides and chemical industry. The other region (B) has been polluted by historical releases of PCBs, but the major current sources of contamination are probably combustion sources from local traffic and heating. Samples of both particle and gas fractions produced dioxin-like (AhR-mediated) activity, anti-estrogenic and antiandrogenic effects, but none had any effect on retinoid signaling. AhR-mediated activities were observed in all samples and the TEQ values were comparable in both fractions in region A, but significantly greater in the particulate fraction in region B. The greater AhR-mediated activity corresponded to a greater coincident antiestrogenicity of both phases in region B. Our study is the first report of antiestrogenicity and antiandrogenicity in ambient air. Anti-androgenicity was observed in the gas phase of all regions, while in the particulate phase only in one region due to the specific type of pollution in that area. Even though based on concentrations of individual compounds, except for the OCPs, the level of contamination of the two regions was similar, there were strong differences in responses in the bioassays between the two regions. Moreover, AhR-mediated activity and antiestrogenic potencies were greater in region B, where the pollution level according to the chemical analysis was similar or less than in the other region, which indicates the presence of other atmospheric pollutants with specific effects. The results document the advantage and utility of the simultaneous use of bioassays and chemical analysis in risk assessment of complex environmental samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jirí Novák
- Research Centre for Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 3, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
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83
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A sensitive recombinant cell-based bioluminescent assay for detection of androgen-like compounds. Nat Protoc 2008; 3:1895-902. [DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2008.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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84
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Screening of Potentially Hormonally Active Chemicals Using Bioluminescent Yeast Bioreporters. Toxicol Sci 2008; 107:122-34. [DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfn229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
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85
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Real-time Monitoring of Non-specific Toxicity Using a Saccharomyces cerevisiae Reporter System. SENSORS 2008; 8:6433-6447. [PMID: 27873878 PMCID: PMC3707459 DOI: 10.3390/s8106433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2008] [Revised: 09/27/2008] [Accepted: 10/07/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is the simplest and most well-known representative of eukaryotic cells and thus a convenient model organism for evaluating toxic effects in human cells and tissues. Yeast cell sensors are easy to maintain with short generation times, which makes the analytical method of assessing antifungal toxicity cheap and less-time consuming. In this work, the toxicity of test compounds was assessed in bioassays based on bioluminescence inhibition and on traditional growth inhibition on agar plates. The model organism in both tests was a modified S. cerevisiae sensor strain that produces light when provided with D-luciferin in an insect luciferase reporter gene activity assay. The bioluminescence assay showed toxic effects for yeast cell sensor of 5,6-benzo-flavone, rapamycin, nystatin and cycloheximide at concentrations of nM to μM. In addition, arsenic compounds, cadmium chloride, copper sulfate and lead acetate were shown to be potent non-specific inhibitors of the reporter organism described here. The results from a yeast agar diffusion assay correlated with the bioluminescence assay results.
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86
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Li XM, Luo FN, Liu GX, Zhu PT. Bioassay of estrogenic activity of effluent and influent in a farm wastewater treatment plant using an in vitro recombinant assay with yeast cells. BIOMEDICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES : BES 2008; 21:381-388. [PMID: 19133611 DOI: 10.1016/s0895-3988(08)60058-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Environmental estrogens at an elevated concentration are known to produce adverse effects on human and animal life. However, the majority of researches have been focused on industrial discharges, while the impact of livestock wastes as a source of endocrine disrupters in aquatic environments has been rarely elucidated. In order to investigate the contribution of environmental estrogens from livestock, the estrogenic activity in water samples from a farm wastewater treatment plant was analyzed by a recombinant yeast screening method. METHODS The extracts prepared from 15 selected water samples from the farm wastewater treatment plant, among which 6 samples were from pre-treatment section (influents) and 9 from post-treatment section (effluents), were analyzed for estrogenic activity by cellar bioassay. Yeast cells transfected with the expression plasmid of human estrogen receptor and the Lac Z reporter plasmid encoding beta-galactossidase, were used to measure the estrogen-like compounds in the farm wastewater treatment plant. RESULTS The wastewater samples from influents showed a higher estrogenic potency than the effluent samples showing a low induction of beta-galactossidase relative to solvent control condition. By comparison with a standard curve for 17 beta-estradiol (E2), estrogenic potency in water samples from the influents was calculated as E2-equivalent and ranged from 0.1 to 150 pM E2-equivalent. The estrogenic potency in water samples from the effluents was significantly lower than that in the influents, and 7 water samples had less detectable limit in the total of 9 samples. CONCLUSION Yeast bioassay of estrogenic activity in most of the samples from the farm wastewater after disposal by traditional sewage treatment showed negative results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Ming Li
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225001, Jiangsu, China.
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87
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Detecting AhR ligands in sediments using bioluminescent reporter yeast. Biosens Bioelectron 2008; 23:1850-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2008.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2007] [Revised: 02/27/2008] [Accepted: 02/28/2008] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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88
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89
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Bahar B, Herting G, Wallinder IO, Hakkila K, Leygraf C, Virta M. The interaction between concrete pavement and corrosion-induced copper runoff from buildings. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2008; 140:175-89. [PMID: 17636419 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-007-9858-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2007] [Accepted: 06/14/2007] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Changes in chemical speciation of copper and the capacity of concrete pavement to retain copper in runoff water from external buildings have been investigated at urban field conditions, and in parallel laboratory experiments simulating outdoor scenarios. The research study showed the concrete surface to form a copper rich surface layer ( approximately 50 microm thick) upon exposure, and a high capacity to significantly reduce the bioavailable fraction of released copper (20-95%). The retention capacity of copper varied between 5 and 20% during single runoff events in the laboratory, and between 10 and 40% of the total copper release during single natural runoff events. The capacity to retain and reduce the bioavailable fraction of non-retained copper increased with increasing wetness of the concrete surfaces, increasing pH of the runoff water and decreasing flow rates. Bioassay testing with bacterial and yeast bioreporters showed the bioavailable fraction of non-retained copper to be significantly lower than the total copper concentration in the runoff water, between 22 and 40% for bacteria and between 8 and 31% for yeast. The application of generated data to simulate a fictive outdoor scenario, suggests a significant reduction of bioavailable and total copper to background values during environmental entry as a result of dilution, and the interaction with solid surfaces, organic matter and complexing agents already in the drainage system.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Bahar
- Division of Corrosion Science, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Dr. Kristinas v. 51, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
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90
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Quintero MJ, Maya D, Arévalo-Rodríguez M, Cebolla Á, Chávez S. An improved system for estradiol-dependent regulation of gene expression in yeast. Microb Cell Fact 2007; 6:10. [PMID: 17374163 PMCID: PMC1831787 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-6-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2006] [Accepted: 03/20/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Saccharomyces cerevisiae is widely utilized in basic research as a model eukaryotic organism and in biotechnology as a host for heterologous protein production. Both activities demand the use of highly regulated systems, able to provide accurate control of gene expression in functional analysis, and timely recombinant protein synthesis during fermentative production. The tightly regulated GAL1-10 promoter is commonly used. However, induction of the GAL system requires the presence of the rather expensive inducer galactose and the absence of glucose in the culture media. An alternative to regulate transcription driven by GAL promoters, free of general metabolic changes, is the incorporation of the hybrid Gal4-ER-VP16 protein developed by D. Picard. This chimeric protein provides galactose-independent activation of transcription from GAL promoters in response to β-estradiol, even in the presence of glucose. However, constitutive expression of this transactivator results in relatively high basal activity of the GAL promoters, therefore limiting the gene expression capacity that is required for a number of applications. Results In order to improve this expression tool, we have introduced additional regulatory elements allowing a simultaneous control of both the abundance and the intrinsic activity of the Gal4-ER-VP16 chimeric transactivator. The most efficient combination was obtained by placing the coding sequence of the hybrid activator under the control of the GAL1 promoter. This configuration results in an amplification feedback loop that is triggered by the hormone, and ultimately leads to the enhanced regulation of recombinant genes when these are also driven by a GAL1 promoter. The basal expression level of this system is as low as that of native GAL-driven genes in glucose-containing media. Conclusion The feedback regulatory loop that we have engineered allows a 250-fold induction of the regulated gene, without increasing the basal activity of the target promoter, and achieving a 12-fold higher regulation efficiency than the previous configuration.
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Affiliation(s)
- María J Quintero
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Reina Mercedes 6, E41012-Seville, Spain
| | - Douglas Maya
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Reina Mercedes 6, E41012-Seville, Spain
| | | | | | - Sebastián Chávez
- Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda. Reina Mercedes 6, E41012-Seville, Spain
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91
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Fu KY, Chen CY, Chang WM. Application of a yeast estrogen screen in non-biomarker species Varicorhinus barbatulus fish with two estrogen receptor subtypes to assess xenoestrogens. Toxicol In Vitro 2006; 21:604-12. [PMID: 17258427 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2006.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2006] [Revised: 11/22/2006] [Accepted: 12/08/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Xenoestrogens can interfere with normal estrogen signaling by competitively binding to the estrogen receptor (ER) and activating transcription of target genes. In this study, we cloned the estrogen receptor alpha (vbERalpha) and beta 2 (vbERbeta2) genes from liver of the indigenous Taiwanese cyprinid fish Varicorhinus barbatulus and tested the direct impact of several xenoestrogens on these ERs. Transcriptional activity of xenoestrogens was measured by the enzymatic activity of estrogen responsive element (ERE)-containing beta-galactosidase in a yeast reporter system. The xenoestrogens tested were phenol derivatives, DDT-related substances, phthalic acid esters, and polychlorinated biphenyls, with 17beta-estradiol (E2) as a subjective standard. The phenol derivatives [4-nonylphenol (4-NP), 4-t-octylphenol (4-t-OP) and bisphenol A (BPA)] exhibited significant dose-dependent responses in both ligand potency and ligand efficiency. Consistent with yeast assays using human or rainbow trout ERs, we observed a general subtype preference in that vbERalpha displayed higher relative potencies and efficiencies than vbERbeta2, although our assays induced a stronger response for xenoestrogens than did human or trout ERs. Whereas 4-NP and 4-t-OP have similar EC50 values relative to E2 for both ER subtypes, the strong estrogenic response of BPA markedly differentiates vbERalpha from vbERbeta2, suggesting possible species-specific BPA sensitivity. We report that the ameliorative yeast tool is readily applicable for indigenous wildlife studies of the bio-toxic influence of xenoestrogens with wildlife-specific estrogen receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keng-Yen Fu
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan, ROC
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92
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Michelini E, Guardigli M, Magliulo M, Mirasoli M, Roda A, Simoni P, Baraldini M. Bioluminescent Biosensors Based on Genetically Engineered Living Cells in Environmental and Food Analysis. ANAL LETT 2006. [DOI: 10.1080/00032710600713156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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93
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Fine T, Leskinen P, Isobe T, Shiraishi H, Morita M, Marks RS, Virta M. Luminescent yeast cells entrapped in hydrogels for estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical biodetection. Biosens Bioelectron 2006; 21:2263-9. [PMID: 16460925 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2005.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2005] [Revised: 10/11/2005] [Accepted: 11/08/2005] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the construction of luminescent yeast cell based fibre-optic biosensors, we demonstrate a novel approach for estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) biodetection by entrapping genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, containing the estrogen receptor alpha-mediated expression of the luc reporter gene, in hydrogel matrices based on calcium alginate or PVA. In order to insure a significant signal, an optimal immobilization ratio of 1:2 alginate 3% (w/v): 5 x 10(6) [cells/ml], respectively, was used with the highest 17-beta-estradiol (beta-E2) induction factor after 2.5 h of incubation with 10[nM] beta-E2. It was shown that biocompatible alginate beads, 4.27-4.55 x 10(5) [CFU/bead], which were characterized by a detection limit of 0.08[microg l(-1)] and an EC50 of 0.64[microg l(-1)] for beta-E2, retained their viability for luminescence measurements after 1 month of storage at -80 degrees C slow freeze condition, and thus repeated cell cultivations were not required. The assay reproducibility for each tested EDC, represented by the coefficients of variation (CV), ranged from 4.35 to 18.47%. An alternative immobilization method, based on a room temperature partial drying of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution (LentiKat Liquid) and cell suspension mix, was investigated with only a slightly lower detection limit for beta-E2 than that reported with alginate beads. Alginate yeast based hydrogels may also be applicable to the analysis of environmental water samples since the trend of detected estrogenic activities with alginate beads roughly correlated with LC-MS-MS analytical results.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Fine
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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94
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Current awareness on yeast. Yeast 2006. [DOI: 10.1002/yea.1314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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95
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Nakari T, Pessala P. In vitro estrogenicity of polybrominated flame retardants. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2005; 74:272-9. [PMID: 16024102 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2005.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2005] [Revised: 06/10/2005] [Accepted: 06/11/2005] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Estrogenicity of five brominated flame retardants (BFRs), namely BDE-47, BDE-99, BDE-205, PBB-153 and technical Firemaster BP-6, were assessed by in vitro assays developed to detect chemicals with estrogenic properties. Recombinant yeast cells containing a human estrogen receptor gene failed to give any response to the chemicals tested. However, the positive control compound, estradiol-17beta, showed that the yeast cell assays had worked properly. The freshly separated fish hepatocyte assay based on the synthesis and secretion of vitellogenin from the isolated liver cells produced a clear dose-response curve in the presence of all tested flame retardants except Firemaster BP-6. The toxicity of the BFRs was detected by determining the cell ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase activity (EROD). The BFRs tested induced hepatic EROD activity at low test concentrations, but started to inhibit activity at higher concentrations. The decreased detoxification capacity of the hepatocytes resulted in a decrease in the vitellogenin production of the cells. The capability of in vitro assays to detect estrogenic properties of chemicals seems to vary. Thus, further work is needed to understand the mechanisms responsible for these reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarja Nakari
- Finnish Environment Institute, Hakuninmaantie 6, FIN 00430 Helsinki, Finland.
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