An in vitro approach reveals molecular mechanisms underlying endocrine disruptor-induced epimutagenesis.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as bisphenol S (BPS) are xenobiotic compounds that can disrupt endocrine signaling due to steric similarities to endogenous hormones. EDCs have been shown to induce disruptions in normal epigenetic programming (epimutations) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that predispose disease states. Most interestingly, the prevalence of epimutations following exposure to many EDCs persists over multiple generations.

Endocrine disruptor-induced epimutagenesis : Insight into molecular mechanisms.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as bisphenol S (BPS) are xenobiotic compounds that can disrupt endocrine signaling following exposure due to steric similarities to endogenous hormones within the body. EDCs have been shown to induce disruptions in normal epigenetic programming (epimutations) that accompany dysregulation of normal gene expression patterns that appear to predispose disease states. Most interestingly, the prevalence of epimutations following exposure to many different EDCs often persists over multiple subsequent generations, even with no further exposure to the causative EDC.

Source cell-type epigenetic memory persists in induced pluripotent cells but is lost in subsequently derived germline cells.

Retention of source cell-type epigenetic memory may mitigate the potential for induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to fully achieve transitions in cell fate . While this may not preclude the use of iPSC-derived somatic cell types for therapeutic applications, it becomes a major concern impacting the potential use of iPSC-derived germline cell types for reproductive applications. The transition from a source somatic cell type to iPSCs and then on to germ-cell like cells (GCLCs) recapitulates two major epigenetic reprogramming events that normally occur during development -embryonic reprogramming in the epiblast and germline reprogramming in primordial germ cells (PGCs).

Atrazine and malathion shorten the maturation process of Xenopus laevis oocytes and have an adverse effect on early embryo development.

The use of pesticides has a negative impact on the environment. Amphibians have long been regarded as indicator species to pollutants due to their permeable skin and sensitivity to the environment. Studies have shown that population declines of some amphibians are directly linked with exposure to agricultural contaminants.

TWIST1 associates with NF-κB subunit RELA via carboxyl-terminal WR domain to promote cell autonomous invasion through IL8 production.

Background: Metastasis is the primary cause of death for cancer patients. TWIST1, an evolutionarily conserved basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, is a strong promoter of metastatic spread and its expression is elevated in many advanced human carcinomas. However, the molecular events triggered by TWIST1 to motivate dissemination of cancer cells are largely unknown.