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Overview of Data and Conceptual Approaches for Derivation of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships for Ecotoxicological Effects of Organic Chemicals
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (2003)
  • Steven P. Bradbury
  • Christine L. Russom
  • Gerald T. Ankley
  • T. Wayne Schultz, University of Tennessee - Knoxville
  • John D. Walker
Abstract

The use of quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSARs) in assessing potential toxic effects of organic chemicals on aquatic organisms continues to evolve as computational efficiency and toxicological understanding advance. With the everincreasing production of new chemicals, and the need to optimize resources to assess thousands of existing chemicals in commerce, regulatory agencies have turned to QSARs as essential tools to help prioritize tiered risk assessments when empirical data are not available to evaluate toxicological effects. Progress in designing scientifically credible QSARs is intimately associated with the development of empirically derived databases of well-defined and quantified toxicity endpoints, which are based on a strategic evaluation of diverse sets of chemical structures, modes of toxic action, and species. This review provides a brief overview of four databases created for the purpose of developing QSARs for estimating toxicity of chemicals to aquatic organisms. The evolution of QSARs based initially on general chemical classification schemes, to models founded on modes of toxic action that range from nonspecific partitioning into hydrophobic cellular membranes to receptor-mediated mechanisms is summarized. Finally, an overview of expert systems that integrate chemical-specific mode of action classification and associated QSAR selection for estimating potential toxicological effects of organic chemicals is presented.

Keywords
  • Quantitative structure–activity relationships,
  • Ecological risk assessment,
  • Toxic action modes,
  • Aquatic toxicology,
  • Industrial organic chemicals
Publication Date
2003
Publisher Statement
Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.
Citation Information
Steven P. Bradbury, Christine L. Russom, Gerald T. Ankley, T. Wayne Schultz, et al.. "Overview of Data and Conceptual Approaches for Derivation of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships for Ecotoxicological Effects of Organic Chemicals" Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Vol. 22 Iss. 8 (2003)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/steven_bradbury/8/