Glucocorticoid-like effluent activity

Glucocorticoids are among the hormones that regulate key physiological processes such as immune response, energy metabolism, stress response etc. Disturbed glucocorticoid action has been associated with several adverse effects and diseases including teratogenicity, obesity, type 2 diabetes or inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Disruption of glucocorticoid signaling by chemical compounds can occur via direct interaction with the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) or via indirect impact on other functional molecules and regulatory enzymes.
This project aims at

• screening of the potential of environmental samples (municipal and hospital wastewaters) to bind to the GR,
  
• identification of compounds responsible for GR-like or antagonistic activity in tested environmental samples, and
• screening of the potential of pure glucocorticoid-like chemicals and samples to indirectly influence the glucocorticoid action. 

The methods used in this research will be

• in vitro reporter gene assay screening for direct activation or inhibition of GR,
  
• effect/bioassay directed analysis of samples with GR-like activity using LC-MS/MS leading to identification of active compounds, and
  
• MolDarT assay (including development of specific primers for real-time PCR assessment of gene expression) for investigation of indirect impacts on glucocorticoid signaling.
  

Funding

SCIEX-NMS^ch