EthoxyresorufinO-deethylase (EROD) activity and Protein Measurement

EthoxyresorufinO-deethylase (EROD) activity is a sensitive biomarker of exposure to planar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dioxins that are capable of binding to and activating the arylhydrocarbon (Ah) receptor. EROD measures the enzymatic activity of the CYP1A protein in the microsomal fraction of liver homogenates of fish collected from field samples.

For BEQUALM intercalibrations exercises, liver samples will be homogenised and the microsomal fraction will be distributed to the participating laboratories for the measurement of EROD activity.

Protein measurement is used to normalise data from various biomarker analyses to total protein content of the sample and proved necessary for proper inter-assay comparison of results. The protein measurement involves the use of a protein colouring dye that may be measured spectrophometrically and related to the colouring of a known protein solution.

Forthcoming Intercalibrations

An EROD intercalibration has been confirmed for 2024-2025. Please contact us for more information.