Estrogenic effect of phenol red in MCF-7 cells is achieved through activation of estrogen receptor by interacting with a site distinct from the steroid binding site.
MCF-7 cells serially subcultured in media containing phenol red show poor stimulation of progesterone receptor (PR) synthesis in response to estradiol compared to cells grown in phenol red-free media. Phenol red, when added to cytosol, did not compete with [3H]estradiol for estrogen binding sites in concentrations ranging from 2 microM-1 mM. However 25 microM of the dye was sufficient to increase nuclear translocation of estrogen receptor (ER) in the intact cell. Phenol red activates cytoplasmic ER as indicated by DNA-cellulose binding studies. When cells grown in phenol red-free medium were exposed to phenol red for 48 h, PR levels increased in a dose dependent manner. From these data, it may be concluded that phenol red causes estrogenic effect in MCF-7 cells through activation of cytoplasmic receptor by interacting at a site distinct from the steroid binding site.
D001665:Binding Sites; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010635:Phenolphthaleins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010637:Phenolsulfonphthalein / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism
C033190:DNA-cellulose; D010635:Phenolphthaleins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D011374:Progesterone; D002482:Cellulose; D004247:DNA; D010637:Phenolsulfonphthalein