ER- and AR-Calux

Test organism

  • Human cell line U2OS-ERα /U2OS-AR

Detectable effects (impact)

  • Activation or inhibition of the human estrogen receptor α (estrogenic effect)
  • Activation or inhibition of the human androgen receptor (androgenic effect)

Test principle

  • A human cell line containing the gene for the human estrogen/androgen receptor coupled with a so-called reporter gene (gene for the enzyme luciferase) is used for this test.
  • If an estrogenically/androgenically active substance binds to the estrogen/androgen receptor in the cell, the corresponding gene and then the reporter gene are read. The latter gene encodes for an enzyme (luciferase), which oxidises luciferin to generate light.
  • The luminescence intensity is directly correlated to the amount of the substance bound to the receptor.
  • The reaction is measured after 24 h exposure to chemicals or extracts from environmental samples.
  • The same test principle is used for the detection of anti-estrogenic substances in the anti-ER-Calux® and the detection of anti-androgenic substances in the anti-AR-Calux®

Test duration

  • 3 d (exposure time: 24 h)

Relevance

  • Suitable for detecting numerous environmental toxins from everyday products, e.g. birth control pill ingredients (17α-ethinylestradiol), synthetic materials (bisphenol A, phthalates), pesticides (alachlor,methoxychlorine) and non-ionic surfactants (alkylphenoles)
  • Usually more sensitive than the YES and YAS tests

Guidelines and literature

  • No international standard available
  • Van Der Linden SC, Heringa MB, Man HY, Sonneveld E, Puijker LM, Brouwer A, Van Der Burg B (2008). Detection of multiple hormonal activities in wastewater effluents and surface water, using a panel of steroid receptor CALUX bioassays. Environ. Sci. Technol. 42: 5814-5820.