Probing the actions of endocrine disrupting compounds through genetic approaches in zebrafish

Abstract

Endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) are a persistent threat to human and animal health. Detecting these agents and identifying their basic mechanisms of action is crucial to determining their impact. However, defining the differing effects of EDCs and their sites of activity, such as why some tissues are more sensitive than others, is a challenging endeavor. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a powerful genetic model that can provide unique insights into these issues. New tools for transgenesis and genome editing are enabling the identification of specific proteins and receptors that mediate the response to EDC exposure. We outline how transgenic reporters that detect EDCs and targeted mutations against their receptors or downstream effectors make zebrafish an especially favorable system for toxicological research.