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Genetic Engineering of an Unconventional Yeast for Renewable Biofuel and Biochemical Production
Published on: September 20, 2016
[Recombinant hPR gene yeast for assessing in drinking water]
1State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
Huan Jing Ke Xue= Huanjing Kexue
|February 20, 2007
Summary
A novel yeast bioassay effectively detects environmental endocrine disruptors by measuring inhibition of the human progesterone receptor (hPR). This method accurately quantifies disruptors in water samples, proving reliable for environmental monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) pose environmental risks by interfering with hormonal systems.
- Accurate detection methods are crucial for assessing EDC contamination in water sources.
- The human progesterone receptor (hPR) plays a key role in reproductive health and is a target for certain EDCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and validate a bioassay using recombinant human progesterone receptor (hPR) gene yeast for evaluating environmental endocrine disruptor effects.
- To assess the inhibition of hPR activity by pollutants from a South China water works.
- To determine the efficacy of the yeast assay combined with solid-phase extraction (SPE) for environmental sample analysis.
Main Methods:
- Development of a bioassay utilizing genetically engineered yeast expressing the recombinant human progesterone receptor (hPR) gene.
- Testing the yeast's specificity and dose-response curve for progesterone (EC50 = 0.5 nmol/L).
- Quantifying the inhibitory effects of known estrogenic chemicals (pentachlorophenol, p-nonylphenol) on hPR activity (IC50 values of 2.4 µmol/L and 3.7 µmol/L, respectively).
- Application of the yeast assay coupled with SPE to analyze water samples from a water works.
Main Results:
- The recombinant yeast demonstrated specific steroid recognition and a clear dose-response relationship for progesterone.
- Pentachlorophenol and p-nonylphenol were confirmed as inhibitors of hPR activity.
- Water samples from the water works exhibited significant inhibition of hPR activity, with inhibition rates exceeding 58% when analyzed with the SPE-coupled yeast assay.
Conclusions:
- The recombinant hPR gene yeast assay is an efficient and rapid method for screening and quantifying endocrine disruptors that inhibit hPR activity.
- The combined SPE and yeast assay technique provides a reliable approach for assessing environmental endocrine disruptors in complex water matrices.
- This bioassay technology is valuable for environmental monitoring and risk assessment of endocrine-disrupting pollutants.
