Biomarker Genes for Detecting Estrogenic Activity of Endocrine Disruptors via Estrogen Receptors

Abstract

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are compounds used in various industrial products, drugs, and cosmetics. They can be found in the environment and disturb the endocrine and reproductive systems, resulting in adverse effects to humans and wildlife such as birth defects and developmental disorders. Since several EDs have a structure similar to that of endogenous steroid hormones such as estrogens, they intend to have an affinity for steroid hormone receptors and alter hormone-mediated metabolism by binding to these receptors. EDs are therefore a global concern and assays should be developed to efficiently determine whether these compounds are detrimental to biological systems. Diverse experimental methods may help determine the endocrine disrupting potential of EDs and evaluate the adverse effects of a single and/or combination of these reagents. Currently, biomarkers have been employed to objectively measure EDs potency and understand the underlying mechanisms. Further studies are required to develop ideal screening methods and biomarkers to determine EDs potency at environmentally relevant concentrations. In this review, we describe the biomarkers for estrogenicity of EDs identified both in vitro and in vivo, and introduce a biomarker, cabindin-D9k (CaBP-9k), that may be used to assess estrogenic activity of EDs.

Low concentrations of dihydrotestosterone induce female‐to‐male sex reversal in the frog Pelophylax nigromaculatus

“…In general, molecular biomarkers are used as endpoints for detecting endocrine‐disrupting activity of EDCs . In other studies, CYP19, CYP17, Srd5α2, and Dmrt1 displayed sex‐biased expression and have been used to evaluate endocrine‐disrupting effects of EDCs on gonadal differentiation and development in amphibians .…”

Effects of oral exposure to bisphenol A on gene expression and global genomic DNA methylation in the prostate, female mammary gland, and uterus of NCTR Sprague-Dawley rats

“…The expression of previously proposed molecular biomarkers of estrogenic exposure, including Vegfa , Pgr , and S100g (An et al, 2002; Diel et al, 2002; Jung et al, 2012; Schmidt et al, 2006) were up-regulated by one or both EE 2 doses in the PND 90 uterus. In addition, S100g was up-regulated by EE 2 at PND 4 in both the prostate and female mammary glands.…”

Estrogen-responsive genes for environmental studies

“…Meanwhile, the mechanisms of the effects of endocrine disruptors have been discussed at the level of genes of specific tissues/organs/cells [14][15][16], owing to the development of gene/genome-based technologies. Several marker genes have been reported along with the detection systems [17], including previously identified vitellogenin, pS2 (or TFF1) and the progesterone receptor (PGR) genes.…”