Grantee Research Project Results
Development of a Bioassay for AhR-mediated Toxicity to Rainbow Trout
EPA Grant Number: R825371Title: Development of a Bioassay for AhR-mediated Toxicity to Rainbow Trout
Investigators: Giesy, John P.
Current Investigators: Giesy, John P. , Richter, Catherine A. , Blankenship, Alan L. , Villeneuve, Daniel L.
Institution: Michigan State University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: December 15, 1996 through December 14, 1998
Project Amount: $304,771
RFA: Exploratory Research - Environmental Biology (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Aquatic Ecosystems , Biology/Life Sciences
Description:
Fish are particularly vulnerable to toxins which act through the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). These toxins include dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other halogenated diaromatic hydrocarbons (HDHs). Pulp mill effluents and lampricide formulations have also been found to contain components which activate the AhR. These toxins cause a variety of adverse effects, including immune system dysfunction and reproductive impairment. Since they occur in complex mixtures, the overall exposure to fish in a particular environment is difficult to assess. The problems of chemical analysis and evaluation of potency of the many compounds which bind AhR can be avoided by using a bioassay. The studies are developing and characterizing an in vitro bioassay based on cell lines derived from rainbow trout. The cells are being stably transfected with a plasmid containing the gene encoding firefly luciferase under the control of DREs. The cell line will express luciferase as an integrative measure of the total potency of AhR-active toxins to which it is exposed. The bioassay will be calibrated by comparing it to toxicity tests in whole fish using mortality, biochemical markers, and reproductive impairment as endpoints. The bioassay will be compared to measures of AhR activation and native gene induction. Current tests use native induced genes such as P4501A1, and mammalian cell lines. The proposed bioassay will have the advantages of being directly relevant to fish, and using a gene controlled only by AhR, not by other cellular regulation. The bioassay can be used to predict the toxicity of complex mixtures, investigate interactions among HDHs, and detect sources of AhR-active toxins. The bioassay can be used as a screening test for new chemicals or for use in conjunction with solid phase extraction of residues from water and instrumental analyses in a Toxicant Identification and Evaluation (TIE) protocol.Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 8 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 3 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
water, p450, biochemistry, transfection., RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Toxics, Ecological Indicators, pesticides, Ecosystem Protection, Chemistry, Ecology, Biology, Environmental Chemistry, Ecosystem/Assessment/Indicators, exploratory research environmental biology, Ecological Effects - Environmental Exposure & Risk, Ecological Effects - Human Health, Chemical Mixtures - Environmental Exposure & Risk, bioassay, hydrocarbons, rainbow trout, dioxin, bioindicator, chemical contaminants, immune systems, polychlorinated biphenyls, PCB, luciferase, pulp mill effluents, complex mixtures, dioxin exposure, reproductive health, fishProgress 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.