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Ecogenetics of mercury: From genetic polymorphisms and epigenetics to risk assessment and decision‐making
Author(s) -
Basu Niladri,
Goodrich Jaclyn M.,
Head Jessica
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
environmental toxicology and chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.1
H-Index - 171
eISSN - 1552-8618
pISSN - 0730-7268
DOI - 10.1002/etc.2375
Subject(s) - toxicodynamics , methylmercury , epigenetics , risk assessment , biobank , mercury (programming language) , 5 hydroxymethylcytosine , environmental epidemiology , biology , environmental health , dna methylation , genetics , bioinformatics , medicine , toxicokinetics , ecology , bioaccumulation , gene , computer science , gene expression , computer security , pharmacokinetics , programming language
The risk assessment of mercury (Hg), in both humans and wildlife, is made challenging by great variability in exposure and health effects. Although disease risk arises following complex interactions between genetic (“nature”) and environmental (“nurture”) factors, most Hg studies thus far have focused solely on environmental factors. In recent years, ecogenetic‐based studies have emerged and have started to document genetic and epigenetic factors that may indeed influence the toxicokinetics or toxicodynamics of Hg. The present study reviews these studies and discusses their utility in terms of Hg risk assessment, management, and policy and offers perspectives on fruitful areas for future research. In brief, epidemiological studies on populations exposed to inorganic Hg (e.g., dentists and miners) or methylmercury (e.g., fish consumers) are showing that polymorphisms in a number of environmentally responsive genes can explain variations in Hg biomarker values and health outcomes. Studies on mammals (wildlife, humans, rodents) are showing Hg exposures to be related to epigenetic marks such as DNA methylation. Such findings are beginning to increase understanding of the mechanisms of action of Hg, and in doing so they may help identify candidate biomarkers and pinpoint susceptible groups or life stages. Furthermore, they may help refine uncertainty factors and thus lead to more accurate risk assessments and improved decision‐making. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1248–1258. © 2013 SETAC