Prediction of the in vivo estrogenic activity of chemicals ERalpha-CALUX

Method Description

The ERalpha-CALUX test is an estrogen receptor transactivation assay, assessing the activity of (anti-)estrogenic compounds.

The test is based on the human osteocarcinoma cell line (U2OS). The cells are stably co-transfected with the full length human ERα and a luciferase gene. The test assesses the transcription of the luciferase gene, through the measurement of luminescence, and allows the discrimination between agonists and antagonists.

This assay investigates the potential for interaction of a chemical substance with nuclear receptors for endogenous hormones and as such investigate early events within an adverse outcome pathway (AOP) associated with perturbation of the endocrine system. It could be used within an Integrated Testing Strategy (ITS) or Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA) for identification of endocrine disruptors.