Application of Proteomics to Study Mechanisms of Toxicity and Dose-Response Relationships of Chemical Exposure

Proteomics has the potential to provide comprehensive information on protein expression and detailed insight into biological processes. Its application to toxicology holds the promise of determining the biological response to the adverse effects of toxicants through the identification of proteins affected. This is expected to help in predicting, characterizing and understanding the mechanisms of toxicity and lead to more accurate risk assessment. In this review, the main proteomic techniques that have been used in toxicological studies are described and assessed critically. Studies that have applied proteomics to investigate mechanisms of toxicity and dose-response relationships are considered. The challenges that need to be met for toxicoproteomics to reach its full potential are discussed. Keywords: chemical exposure; dose-response relationships; mechanisms of toxicity; proteomics technologies; systems toxicology approach; toxicoproteomics