Potency of isothiocyanates to induce luciferase reporter gene expression via the electrophile-responsive element from murine glutathione S-transferase Ya.

Isothiocyanates are electrophiles that are able to induce phase II biotransformation enzyme gene expression via an electrophile-responsive element (EpRE) in the gene regulatory region. To study the potency of different isothiocyanates to induce the expression of EpRE-regulated genes, a Hepa-1c1c7 luciferase reporter cell line was exposed to structurally different isothiocyanates. The reporter cell line, EpRE(mGST-Ya)-LUX, contains the EpRE from the regulatory region of the mouse glutathione S-transferase Ya gene.

Androgenic activity in surface water samples detected using the AR-LUX assay: indications for mixture effects.

This paper describes the screening of 22 extracts from 18 different aquatic environmental samples for androgenic activity, including indirect and interactive effects on androgen receptor (AR)-mediated signal transduction, using the AR-LUX bioassay. Four samples, originating from an industrial wastewater treatment plant (WTP) or the river Meuse, were shown to contain substantial androgenic activity. Moreover, the samples originating from the industrial WTP showed an enhancement of the maximal androgenic response relative to that elicited by the standard androgen methyltrienolone (R1881) in the AR-LUX assay.

Detection of hormonal anabolic compounds in calf urine and unverified growth-promoting preparations: application of the AR-LUX bioassay for screening and determination of androgenic activity.

Despite a ban by the European Union, the use of anabolic steroids and repartitioning agents in cattle is still occasionally observed. Due to continuing improvements in analytical techniques, very low detection limits for individual compounds have been achieved. In response to these developments, cocktails composed of several steroids have been applied, thus hampering detection due to lower levels of the individual compounds.