Predicting developmental toxicity through toxicogenomics.

Global analysis of gene expression in target cells or tissues in response to a toxicant holds significant promise for predictive toxicology. Toxicants elicit a characteristic pattern of gene expression that is dependent on mechanism of action. These mechanism-specific transcript profiles can be used as the basis for predictive toxicology. Potential applications include prioritizing chemicals for testing and customizing testing approaches based on the chemical. Results that are useful in this predictive context can be obtained from animal or in vitro models. Gene expression analysis can also be used to elucidate the shape of the dose-response curve at exposure levels below the no observed adverse effect level, an important need in risk assessment. In this review, we will illustrate each of these points using our research on estrogen and an estrogenic mode of action as a model for how to use gene expression data in a predictive way. Although gene expression in response to estrogens is tissue, life stage, and sex specific, it is feasible to identify transcript profiles that are diagnostic of this mode of action. (c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.