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Related Concept Videos

Transcription01:10

Transcription

156.8K
Overview
Transcription is the process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA sequence by RNA polymerase. It is the first step in producing a protein from a gene sequence. Additionally, many other proteins and regulatory sequences are involved in the proper synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA). Regulation of transcription is responsible for the differentiation of all the different types of cells and often for the proper cellular response to environmental signals.
Transcription Can Produce Different Kinds...
156.8K
Western Blotting01:15

Western Blotting

20.8K
Western blotting is an analytical technique for protein identification. It has various applications in immunology and medicine, including detecting diseases like bovine spongiform encephalopathy, mad cow disease, and human and feline immunodeficiency virus from biological samples.
The technique begins with separating proteins from the sample using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), followed by protein transfer, immunoblotting, and finally, protein detection.
20.8K
Transcription Factors02:16

Transcription Factors

82.8K
Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
82.8K
Transcription Attenuation in Prokaryotes02:42

Transcription Attenuation in Prokaryotes

18.5K
Transcriptional attenuation occurs when RNA transcription is prematurely terminated due to the formation of a terminator mRNA hairpin structure.  Bacteria use these hairpins to regulate the transcription process and control the synthesis of several amino acids including histidine, lysine, threonine, and phenylalanine. Transcription attenuation takes place in the non-coding regions of mRNA.
There are several different mechanisms used to attenuate transcription. In ribosome mediated...
18.5K
5-Number Summary01:04

5-Number Summary

5.7K
In a dataset, the 5-number summary includes the minimum data value, the data value of the first quartile, the median data value or data value of the second quartile, the data value of the third quartile, and the maximum data value. These 5 data values can be visualized as a box and whisker plot.
In a box plot, the minimum and maximum data values represent the lower and upper whiskers in the graph, and the median is designated as the center of the box in the chart. The first quartile and third...
5.7K
Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors01:52

Eukaryotic Transcription Inhibitors

11.0K
Certain biochemical processes, such as embryonic development and cell growth regulation, depend on the repression of specific genes. DNA binding proteins known as eukaryotic transcription inhibitors regulate the repression of gene expression in eukaryotes. The presence of these inhibitors at the required location and time in the cell is triggered by the presence of hormones and additional signals from other cells.
Eukaryotic transcription inhibitors usually contain two distinct domains, a...
11.0K

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Phthalates modulate steroid 5-reductase transcripts in the Western clawed frog embryo.

Sonja Bissegger1, Marco A Pineda Castro2, Viviane Yargeau2

  • 1Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Department, Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Toxicology & Pharmacology : CBP
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PubMed
Summary

Phthalates, common plastic additives, act as teratogens in frog embryos, causing malformations. These chemicals also disrupt reproductive genes, suggesting endocrine disruption in amphibians.

Keywords:
Androgen disruptionDBPDEPDHEPSrd5α1Srd5α2Srd5α3Srd5β

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Endocrinology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental contaminants found in plastics, personal care products, and medical devices.
  • Phthalate esters are known endocrine disruptors in vertebrates, but their effects on testosterone-converting enzymes and reproduction are less understood.
  • Amphibians, like the Western clawed frog (Silurana tropicalis), are sensitive models for studying environmental contaminants' effects on development and reproduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the developmental toxicity and endocrine-disrupting potential of three common phthalates: diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP).
  • To assess the effects of these phthalates on malformations and the expression of genes related to reproduction and oxidative stress in developing amphibians.
  • To evaluate the ex vivo effects of DBP on mature frog testes.

Main Methods:

  • Western clawed frogs were exposed to varying concentrations (0.1, 1, and 10 μM) of DEHP, DBP, and DEP during embryonic development.
  • Ex vivo exposure of mature frog testes to DBP was performed.
  • Malformations were assessed, and mRNA levels of genes involved in reproduction (e.g., steroid reductases, androgen receptor) and oxidative stress were quantified using quantitative PCR.

Main Results:

  • Low-dose exposure (0.1 μM) to DEHP, DBP, and DEP induced significant developmental malformations, including incomplete gut coiling, edema, and eye defects.
  • All three phthalates increased the expression of androgen-related genes, including steroid-5α-reductase (1, 2, 3), steroid-5β-reductase, and androgen receptor, in a phthalate- and gene-specific manner.
  • The observed effects suggest that phthalates act as teratogens and exhibit androgenic activity in amphibians.

Conclusions:

  • The phthalate esters DEHP, DBP, and DEP are potent teratogens in amphibian embryos, causing a range of developmental abnormalities.
  • These phthalates interfere with the regulation of androgen-related genes, indicating endocrine-disrupting activity and potential reproductive impairment in amphibians.
  • The study highlights the risk of phthalate exposure to wildlife, particularly amphibians, and underscores the need for further investigation into their reproductive toxicology.