Cell communication & regulation:
a target for toxicants
Any sensitively regulated process is susceptible to toxicants
! REGULATIONS & SIGNALLING
Hierarchy
- systems: neuronal ßà endocrine
- cell-to-cell
hormonal & neuronal signal transmission
contact channels
- intracellular signal transduction

HORMONES - fate
   1. Biosynthesis of a particular hormone in a particular tissue
   2. Storage and secretion of the hormone
   3. Transport of the hormone to the target cell(s)
   4. Recognition of the hormone by an associated cell membrane or intracellular receptor protein.
   5. Relay and amplification of the received hormonal signal via a signal transduction process ->
cellular response.
   6. The reaction of the target cells is recognized by the original           hormone-producing
cells (negative feedback loop)
   7. Degradation and metabolism of the hormone

Endocrine system:
1. Pineal gland, 2. Pituitary gland, 3. Thyroid gland, 4. Thymus, 5. Adrenal gland, 6. Pancreas, 7.
Ovary, 8.Testis
Example: feedback loop

HORMONES - actions and controls
    * stimulation or inhibition of growth
    * mood swings
    * induction or suppression of apoptosis
                   (programmed cell death)
    * activation or inhibition of the immune system
    * regulation of metabolism
    * preparation for fighting, fleeing, mating …
    * preparation for a new phase of life
                    (puberty, caring for offspring, and menopause)
    * control of the reproductive cycle

TOXICITY TO HORMONAL ACTION
= ENDOCRINE DISRUPTION
ED & EDCs - major problem in environmental toxicology
- Effects at all levels of hormonal action
(synthesis, transport, action ….)
- Multiple effects (! Not only „xenoestrogenicity“ & feminization)
(immunotoxicity, reproduction …)
(WILL BE DISCUSSED FURTHER)
Intersex roach testis
containing both oocytes and spermatozoa,
caused by exposure to environmental oestrogens

HORMONES - chemicals (vertebrates)
 * Amine-derived hormones are derivatives of the amino acids tyrosine and tryptophan. Examples are
catecholamines and thyroxine.
(small molecules - similar to organic toxicants - TOXIC EFFECTS)
Further:
    * Peptide hormones
    * Lipid and phospholipid-derived hormones
Adrenalin
Thyroxin

HORMONES - chemicals (vertebrates)
* Peptide hormones chains of amino acids. - small: TRH and vasopressin; proteins: insulin, growth
hormone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone).
Large molecules; receptors on surfaces of the cells
(Interactions with toxic chemicals less likely)
                                         Example - insulin

HORMONES - chemicals (vertebrates)
Lipid derived hormones (1) (from linoleic acid, arachidonic acid)
- prostaglandins

HORMONES - chemicals (vertebrates)
Lipid derived hormones (2)

(small molecules - similar to organic toxicants - TOXIC EFFECTS)
 - steroid hormones
(from cholesterol)
testosterone,
cortisol,
estradiol …

Cell communication & regulation:
a target for toxicants
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Cell communication (1)
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Cell communication (2)


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Cell communication (3)

Signal transduction - target of toxicants
l- Regulation of cell life / death (apoptosis)
l - metabolism
l - proliferation
l - differentiation
l - death (apoptosis)
l
l- Signalling
l - "network" of general pathways
l - similar in all cells / different cell-specific effects
l

Signalling disruption
l- Consequences of signalling disruption
l - unwanted changes in
    proliferation / differentiation / apoptosis
–-> cell transformation (carcinogenicity)
–-> embryotoxicity
–-> immunotoxicity
–-> reproduction toxicity
–.... other chronic types of toxicity

Signal transduction - principles
l: major processes
– protein-(de)phosphorylation (PKinases, PPases)
l - secondary messengers (cAMP / IP3, PIP2, DAG, Ca2+, AA)
l
l1: Membrane receptors (G-protein, kinases)
-> PKA activation: cAMP
l
l2: Membrane receptors -> PLC / PKC activation
-> PKC activation: IP3, PIP2, DAG, Ca2+, AA
l
l3: Cytoplasmic (nuclear) receptors
l

lMembrane receptors (PKs):
   G-proteins (GPCRs)
l
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l1: Membrane receptors (PKs)
l-> Adenylate cyclase -> cAMP -> PKA – modulation
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(!!!) Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases
(MAPK) – dependent effects
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l2: Membrane receptors
-> Phospholipase C:
l PIPs -> DAG -> PKC / arachidonic acid
+ IP3 -> Ca2+
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Signalling crosstalk


Examples
lER-independent estrogenicity (PAHs)
l modulation of PKs/PPases: phosphorylation
-> activation of ER-dependent genes
l
•
PAHs significantly potentiate the effect
of 17b-estradiol (via increased phosporylation of ER)
Vondráček et al. 2002 Toxicol Sci 70(2) 193

lCholera toxin - activation of adenylate cyclase
l


lLipopolysaccharide (bacteria) - immunotoxicity
l