Use of proteomics to detect sex-related differences in effects of toxicants: implications for using proteomics in toxicology

Abstract

This review provides an overview of results obtained when using proteome analysis for detecting sexbased differences in response to toxicants. It reveals implications to be taken into account when considering the use of proteomics in toxicological studies. It appears that results may differ when studying the same chemical in the same species in different target tissues. Another result of interest is the limited dose-response behavior of differential abundance patterns observed in studies where more than one dose level is tested. It is concluded that use of proteomics to study differences in modes of action of toxic compounds is an active area of research. The examples from use of proteomics to study sexdependent differences also reveal that further studies are needed to provide reliable insight in modes of action, novel biomarkers or even novel therapies. To eventually reach this aim for this and other toxicological endpoints, it is essential to consider background variability, consequences of timing of toxicant administration, dose-response behavior, relevant species and target organ, species and organ variability and the presence of proteoforms.

Vitamin C Differentially Impacts the Serum Proteome Profile in Female and Male Mice

“…Past proteomics studies on blood have indicated sex-related differences in mice treated with different toxicants (reviewed in ref ). To determine whether there was any sex-related proteomic difference in mice treated with various concentrations of ascorbate in drinking water, we identified and quantified proteins from the serum of our different groups of mice by mass spectrometry analyses.…”

Hippocampal Proteomic Analysis in Male Mice Following Aggressive Behavior Induced by Long-Term Administration of Perampanel

“…Although the hippocampus is known to be important for declarative memory, how the hippocampus regulates aggression is less well understood. Proteomics, as a high-throughput technique, can indiscriminately study the protein response and behavior pattern under different stress conditions and is widely applied to gain a deeper understanding of drug action, which contributes to the exploration of the induction mechanism of drug-mediated toxicity and provision of potential biomarker candidates. − Of note, to date, very few studies have employed a proteomic approach in revealing protein markers of aggressive behavior induced by PER. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine whether administration of perampanel to mice would induce alterations in hippocampal protein profiles and to elucidate the possible neurobiological mechanisms of aggressive behavior.…”

Multifactorial Analysis of Environmental Metabolomic Data in Ecotoxicology: Wild Marine Mussel Exposed to WWTP Effluent as a Case Study

“…In recent decades, the awareness of gender as an experimental factor has increased with the emphasis on endocrine active chemicals, underscoring biochemical and physiological differences between the sexes [ 16 ]. Currently, omics approaches fully contribute to highlighting the gender-specific response to contaminant exposure [ 15 , 17 ], including in invertebrates. Indeed, Ji et al [ 18 ] observed a gender-specific metabolic response of mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis to the flame retardant BDE 47.…”