Grantee Research Project Results
Metals and metal mixtures in DNA damage and repair
EPA Grant Number: R836157C001Subproject: this is subproject number 001 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R836157
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: Center for Native American Environmental Health Equity Research
Center Director: Lewis, Johnnye Lynn
Title: Metals and metal mixtures in DNA damage and repair
Investigators: Hudson, Laurie , la Rosa, Vanessa de , Murray-Krezan, Cristina
Institution: University of New Mexico
EPA Project Officer: Callan, Richard
Project Period: July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2020 (Extended to June 30, 2021)
RFA: NIH/EPA Centers of Excellence on Environmental Health Disparities Research (2015) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Human Health
Objective:
The Native Environmental Health Equity Center seeks to address environmental health disparities and health concerns of three Native American communities (Navajo Nation, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and Crow Reservation) arising from exposure to mine waste metal mixtures.
Specific Aim 1: Investigate each metal of concern and community-relevant metal mixtures in samples derived from the affected populations.
Specific Aim 2: Conduct mechanistic experimental studies on metals of concern and community relevant metal-mixtures.
Approach:
This project will investigate each metal of concern and community-relevant metal mixtures in samples derived from the affected populations (Aim 1) and conduct mechanistic experimental studies (Aim 2). Both aims are designed to test the hypothesis that As, U, Mn and Hg (individually or in combination) will inhibit the function of a prototypic zinc finger DNA repair protein (PARP-1) and impair DNA repair processes leading to increased retention of DNA damage, and that metals in combination will exacerbate adverse response compared to single metal exposure. Previously published findings indicate interactions between As and U, disruption of zinc finger protein function by these metals, and evidence that supplemental zinc is protective against A or U interaction with zinc fingers. The experimental observations are confirmed in a preliminary analysis of an exposed human population from the Navajo Nation. The proposed studies enhance understanding of the impact of metals and metal mixtures in the Native communities, and the controlled in vitro and cell based assays will provide mechanistic insights on the actions of metals and metal mixtures at concentrations relevant to the communities, and additionally determine whether zinc is protective against the effects of metals individually or in combination. The research is relevant to the goals of the Native Environmental Health Equity Center and significant by providing important information to improve understanding of environmentally driven health disparities due to toxic metals exposures while being responsive to the concerns of the affected communities. Furthermore, the studies to investigate whether zinc can mitigate the effects of metals and metal combinations will serve as critical mechanistic foundations for potential future population and intervention studies in vulnerable communities. Overall, the proposed project represents transdisciplinary and translational research to advance understanding, mitigation and prevention of environmentally driven health disparities which is a stated goal within the program.
Rationale:
Many Native American communities are exposed to distinct metal mixtures with overlap in certain metals of primary concern: uranium (U), arsenic (As), manganese (Mn) and mercury (Hg). The proposed research is grounded in 1) documented community exposures, 2) evidence for increased body burden of metals of concern within the communities, and 3) evidence that exposure is linked to adverse effects. Each of the four metals identified by the tribal community partners share likely mechanisms of action such as generation of oxidative stress and disruption of zinc finger protein function. These shared mechanisms are predicted to amplify the toxicity of combined exposures compared to single metal exposure.
Progress and Final Reports:
Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R836157 Center for Native American Environmental Health Equity Research Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R836157C001 Metals and metal mixtures in DNA damage and repair
R836157C002 Development of biomarkers of autoimmunity in 3 tribal communities exposed to mixed metal contaminants
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.