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MECHANISMS OF ARSENICAL INDUCED MALFORMATIONS
Impact/Purpose:
The objective of this research is to define the cellular events and molecular mechanisms that lead to arsenical-induced birth defects.
Description:
Our research uses the whole embryo culture system to expose mouse embryos to arsenic at the neurulation stage of development (This stage of development is most susceptible to arsenical-induced defects). This includes studies to assess the distribution of cells in the cell cycle and evaluate the production of cell death using various vital stains. The cellular effects of mitochondrial respiration inhibitors, xenobiotics that produce reactive oxygen species, and the combination of antioxidants and arsenite are being compared to evaluate the role of reactive oxygen species in dysmorphology. We are also attempting to assess the role of p53 in arsenical-induced malformations by manipulation of the p53 level in embryos and determining if this modulates the effects of arsenical exposure.