Epigenetics: An emerging field in environmental toxicology

Legler, Juliette

doi:10.1002/ieam.40

Cited by 15 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Epigenetics is an emerging field that is rapidly being incorporated into ecotoxicological studies. It investigates the alterations in gene function or cell phenotype, without changes in DNA sequences, that may result, for example from methylation, or histone modification, and can be triggered by alterations in environmental stressors [ 119 , 120 ]. Vandegehuchte and Janssen [ 121 ] and Head et al [ 120 ] review the effects of epigenetic induced changes in unexposed offspring, stressing that populations can experience the effects of their ancestors' exposure to chemicals, and that there is a need to also evaluate the persistence of chemical exposure-induced epigenetic effects in multiple subsequent generations.…”

Section: Promising New Approaches and Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect-Based Tools for Monitoring and Predicting the Ecotoxicological Effects of Chemicals in the Aquatic Environment

Connon

Geist

Werner

2012

Sensors

248

113

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Ecotoxicology faces the challenge of assessing and predicting the effects of an increasing number of chemical stressors on aquatic species and ecosystems. Herein we review currently applied tools in ecological risk assessment, combining information on exposure with expected biological effects or environmental water quality standards; currently applied effect-based tools are presented based on whether exposure occurs in a controlled laboratory environment or in the field. With increasing ecological relevance the reproducibility, specificity and thus suitability for standardisation of methods tends to diminish. We discuss the use of biomarkers in ecotoxicology including ecotoxicogenomics-based endpoints, which are becoming increasingly important for the detection of sublethal effects. Carefully selected sets of biomarkers allow an assessment of exposure to and effects of toxic chemicals, as well as the health status of organisms and, when combined with chemical analysis, identification of toxicant(s). The promising concept of “adverse outcome pathways (AOP)” links mechanistic responses on the cellular level with whole organism, population, community and potentially ecosystem effects and services. For most toxic mechanisms, however, practical application of AOPs will require more information and the identification of key links between responses, as well as key indicators, at different levels of biological organization, ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services.

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Section: Promising New Approaches and Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect-Based Tools for Monitoring and Predicting the Ecotoxicological Effects of Chemicals in the Aquatic Environment

Connon

Geist

Werner

2012

Sensors

248

113

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The advent of epigenetics in all areas of biological sciences means that ecotoxicologists should consider altering experimental protocols to include developmental exposure, epigenetic analysis and transgenerational studies, as suggested by Legler (2010). With this, basic ecotoxicological concepts such as bioavailability, exposure routes and relevant concentration/effect relations should be taken into account.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epigenetics and its implications for ecotoxicology

2011

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Epigenetics is the study of mitotically or meiotically heritable changes in gene function that occur without a change in the DNA sequence. Interestingly, epigenetic changes can be triggered by environmental factors. Environmental exposure to e.g. metals, persistent organic pollutants or endocrine disrupting chemicals has been shown to modulate epigenetic marks, not only in mammalian cells or rodents, but also in environmentally relevant species such as fish or water fleas. The associated changes in gene expression often lead to modifications in the affected organism's phenotype. Epigenetic changes can in some cases be transferred to subsequent generations, even when these generations are no longer exposed to the external factor which induced the epigenetic change, as observed in a study with fungicide exposed rats. The possibility of this phenomenon in other species was demonstrated in water fleas exposed to the epigenetic drug 5-azacytidine. This way, populations can experience the effects of their ancestors' exposure to chemicals, which has implications for environmental risk assessment. More basic research is needed to assess the potential phenotypic and population-level effects of epigenetic modifications in different species and to evaluate the persistence of chemical exposure-induced epigenetic effects in multiple subsequent generations.

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“…Recently, attention has turned toward understanding how environmental chemicals might alter epigenetic programming, which involves heritable changes to gene expression without modification of the underlying DNA sequence[53]. Epigenetic changes during development, such as DNA methylation or histone modification, to genes involved in metabolism or adipogenesis have long lasting impacts on metabolic systems[54, 55] and may elicit transgenerational effects[56].…”

Section: Potential Mechanisms Of Environmental Obesogensmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges and Future Directions to Evaluating the Association Between Prenatal Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Childhood Obesity

2014

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Obesity is an increasing public health threat worldwide. However, there has been insufficient research addressing the obesogenic potential of prenatal exposure to environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals, largely due to complexities in the design, analysis, and interpretation of such studies. This review describes relevant biological mechanisms, addresses current challenges for investigators, presents potential strategies for overcoming them, and identifies areas where further development is required to improve future research. Special considerations for exposure assessment, outcome heterogeneity, and complex confounding structures are described.

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Epigenetics: An emerging field in environmental toxicology

Cited by 15 publications

References 13 publications

Effect-Based Tools for Monitoring and Predicting the Ecotoxicological Effects of Chemicals in the Aquatic Environment

Effect-Based Tools for Monitoring and Predicting the Ecotoxicological Effects of Chemicals in the Aquatic Environment

Epigenetics and its implications for ecotoxicology

Challenges and Future Directions to Evaluating the Association Between Prenatal Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Childhood Obesity

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