Endocrine Disruption and Chemical Toxicity - Molecular Mechanisms

picture of some tools for studying mechanisms

The mechanisms of action and pathways of effects have been established for very few endocrine active chemicals and the application of molecular tools to unravel chemical effect pathways is a major component of the research activity in the EABRG. We have successfully employed both targeted single gene approaches and gene arrays to unravel some of the molecular mechanisms of oestrogenic disruption (including for mixture effects) and other forms of chemical toxicity. In this work, EABRG has cloned a very extensive range of hormone receptors, growth regulars and enzymes mediating steroidogenesis that span the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal-liver–axis, developed various complimentary PCR assays to quantify their expression, and worked with collaborators in the development and implementation of gene arrays for zebrafish, fathead minnow, stickleback and roach. Bioinformatic approaches are increasingly being embraced to support research in the identifiication of the mechanisms of chemical effects.

picuture of techniques for studying mechanisms of endocrine disruption

Key collaborators for our gene array work include the University of Cardiff (Dr Kille), University of Liverpool (Prof Cossins), University of Birmingham (Prof Chipman), University of Lancaster (Prof Wit), Imperial College, London (Dr Ebbles). Much of the funding for our research onto the molecular mechanisms of endocrine disruption has been provided through NERC genomics and post genomics thematics.

a zebrafish embryo

Ecotoxicology and Aquatic Biology Research Group

Endocrine Disruption and Chemical Toxicity - Molecular Mechanisms