Neurotoxicity of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) by Disturbance of Thyroid Hormone‐Regulated Genes

Abstract: PCBs are known as neurotoxic compounds. Part of this neurotoxicity could be due to an alteration of the expression of TH‐regulated genes in brain. To identify such genes, brain protein extracts of hypo‐ and hyperthyroid as well as PCB‐treated embryos were compared by fluorescent 2D‐DIGE. In total, we observed 109 differentially expressed proteins, of which 17 differed with both PCB and hypo‐ or hyperthyroid treatment. It was found that the interaction of PCBs with the expression of TH‐regulated genes is congener‐specific and that both hyperthyroidism‐ and hypothyroidism‐related effects occur.