title: Bromophenols, both present in marine organisms and in industrial flame retardants, disturb cellular Ca2+ signaling in neuroendocrine cells (PC12).
abstract: Bromophenols are present in polychaetes as well as in algae in marine environments including the North Sea. They are thought to cause the typical sea-like taste and flavour. The ecological function of brominated phenols is not clear yet, but they may play a role in chemical defence and deterrence [Kicklighter, C.E., Kubaneck, J., Hay, M.E., 2004. Do brominated natural products defend marine worms from consumers? Some do, most don't. Limnol. Oceanogr. 49, 430-441]. Some brominated phenols are commercially used as industrial flame retardants as, e.g., 2,4,6-tribromophenol and are suspected to disrupt the humoral system by showing thyroid hormone-like activity [Legler, I., Brouwer, A., 2003. Are brominated flame retardants endocrine disruptors? Environ. Int. 29, 879-885]. In this study 2-bromophenol (2-BP), 4-bromophenol (4-BP), 2,4-dibromophenol (2,4-DBP), 2,6-dibromophenol (2,6-DBP) and 2,4,6-tribromophenol (2,4,6-TBP), all of which are present in marine organisms, were tested. Especially 2,4-DBP and 2,4,6-TBP showed a significant effect on the Ca2+ homeostasis in endocrine cells (PC 12). The reduction of depolarization induced Ca2+ elevations by 2,4-DBP and 2,4,6-TBP and the increase of intracellular Ca2+ by both substances, partly released from intracellular stores, may suggest a link to the disrupting effect of endocrine systems by brominated phenols. 2,4-DBP was the most potent substance we tested in respect to inhibition of voltage dependent Ca2+ currents as revealed in whole cell patch clamp experiments. Brominated phenols disturb cellular Ca2+ signaling with differential efficacy, depending on the number and position of bromine.
authors.affiliation: Students of Biology/Zoology at the University of Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hassenklöver
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Predehl
authors.forename: Jyotsna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pilli
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ledwolorz
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Assmann
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bickmeyer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D056890:Eukaryota; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000633:toxicity; D005453:Fluorescence; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016716:PC12 Cells; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques / Q000379:methods; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity*; D011077:Polychaeta; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D015220:Calcium Channels; D005411:Flame Retardants; D010636:Phenols; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium