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Cell cycle effects on the endocrine system and phase I metabolism
Project
Project code: BfR-PRS-08-1322-468
Contract period: 01.03.2011
- 31.12.2011
Purpose of research: Applied research
Substances with potential endocrine activities are of increasing concern for consumer protection. Likewise they are in the focus of public debate, academia and politics. The Federal Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection has thus called for increased research in the field of endocrine disruptors. However, despite intensive research we still know too little as to grasp the complexity of endocrine systems. A major problem is the experimental accessibility required to do endocrine research on a molecular level. Hence the estrogenic and androgenic systems have become model systems, not only for their importance but due to the availability of corresponding test systems.Previous studies indicated a potential connection between cell cycle regulation and the estrogenic system, as did work at the BfR. However, a molecular link was missing. A recent paper (1) now shows that the estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) collaborates with ESR-kinase 2 in gene regulation of cell cycle associated genes. Further on the estrogen receptor (ER) interacts with the arylhydrocarbon receptor (AHR) (2, unpublished work from department 7 of the BfR), influencing the expression of several phase I enzymes (CYPs). It is yet unclear as to what extent the linkage of ER and the cell cycle will influence any of its target genes or those of AHR. This proposal suggests initial studies looking at such a possible link.
Section overview
Subjects
- Biotechnology