Grantee Research Project Results
Molecular Characterization of a Biological Threshold in Developmental Toxicity
EPA Grant Number: R827445Title: Molecular Characterization of a Biological Threshold in Developmental Toxicity
Investigators: Knudsen, Thomas B.
Institution: Jefferson Medical College
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: October 1, 1999 through September 30, 2002 (Extended to September 30, 2003)
Project Amount: $207,170
RFA: Children's Vulnerability to Toxic Substances in the Environment (1999) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Human Health
Description:
The goal of this research is to characterize, in molecular terms, the biological basis of a threshold in developmental toxicity and place this mechanism into context of a quantitative dose-response model for risk assessment. It is based on the hypothesis that loss of nuclear- mitochondrial intergenomic balance throws the embryo across a threshold for dysmorphogenesis by disrupting a dynamic equilibrium established by tumor suppressor p53.Approach:
Non-linear properties of nuclear-mitochondrial intergenomic signaling will be investigated during chemical teratogenesis in mouse embryos differing by their p53 genotype. Wild-type p53(+/+) and p53(-/-) null mutant embryos will be dosed with 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (2CdA) on gestational day 8. This research prototype induces specific eye malformations that are predetermined by the embryo's p53 genotype. Dosages in the range of 0.005- to 5.0 mg/kg will be used to go well below the threshold for developmental toxicity (0.5 mg/kg). HPLC-fluorescence and quantitative RT-PCR will measure mitochondrial parameters and a transdominant negative p53 miniprotein targeted to the mitochondrion will be used to genetically alter the biological threshold of embryonic cells.Expected Results:
We expect to provide the first evidence that nuclear-mitochondrial intergenomic balance is an early dosimeter for chemical dysmorphogenesis. Non-linear properties of metabolic control in the embryo can lead to complex dynamic behavior of the mitochondrial genetic system. The proposed research is intended to model this complex behavior in quantitative terms, ultimately linking dose- response relationships into a mechanistic model that can predict when a chemical exposure might cause the embryo to cross the threshold for dysmorphogenesis, leading to structural birth defects or developmental disabilities in the newborn infant.Improvements in Risk Assessment: An important problem facing risk assessment for environmental contaminants is to incorporate mechanistic information into dose-response assessments in a way that improves the overall quality of low-dose risk prediction in the exposed human population. The data generated here will be amenable to biomathematical modeling and computer simulations to help risk assessors predict when a prenatal environmental exposure might trigger an altered developmental phenotype.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 14 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 1 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
mouse, mitochondrion, mechanisms, low-dose extrapolation, functional assays, bioenergetics., RFA, Health, Scientific Discipline, Toxicology, Health Risk Assessment, Susceptibility/Sensitive Population/Genetic Susceptibility, Children's Health, genetic susceptability, Molecular Biology/Genetics, biological threshold, birth defects, health effects, sensitive populations, developmental toxicity, dose response model, molecular characterization, exposure, human malformation, children, assessment of exposure, children's vulnerablity, dysmorphogenesis, functional assys, growth & development, biomedical research, developmental disorders, environmental hazard exposuresProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.