title: Applicability of a yeast oestrogen screen for the detection of oestrogen-like activities in environmental samples.
abstract: A (xeno)oestrogen bioassay was introduced, using a genetically modified yeast strain which produces a fusion protein encompassing the human oestrogen receptor hormone binding domain and the yeast GAL4-DNA binding domain. Upon binding of appropriate substances this fusion protein recognises the respective DNA sequence thereby enhancing the transcription of a beta-galactosidase reporter gene. The bioassay procedure was evaluated by screening 30 compounds, including some known or suspected (xeno)oestrogens and determining EC50-values for 17 beta-oestradiol, 1.5 nM, 4-tert.-octylphenol, 6.7 microM and bisphenol A, 104 microM. Toluene extracts from different environmental matrices were tested for their oestrogenic activity. The positive test results obtained with a sewage sludge extract indicated the applicability of this bioassay for environmental monitoring.
authors.affiliation: GSF-National Research Center for Environment and Health, Institute of Ecological Chemistry, Neuherberg, Germany.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rehmann
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Schramm
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kettrup
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012722:Sewage; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015003:Yeasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D012722:Sewage; D015262:Xenobiotics