title: Bisphenol A disrupts steroidogenesis in human H295R cells.
abstract: There is increasing concern over the risk of environmentally relevant doses of bisphenol A (BPA) on human endocrine systems. Effects of BPA on steroidogenesis and the related molecular mechanisms were investigated in H295R human adenocarcinoma cells. This immortal cell line is unique in expressing all the enzymes of the steroidogenic pathways. The effects of BPA on steroidogenesis, 17β-estradiol (E2) metabolism, and aromatase activity were examined in H295R cells exposed to BPA from 3.0 × 10(-1) to 3.0 × 10(3) ng/ml. Concentrations of BPA in basic cell culture materials were verified. Stable CYP17A-knockdown H295R cells were developed to verify the mechanism of inhibited steroidogenesis by BPA. Background concentrations of BPA in control cell culture media ranged from 0.03 to 0.38 ng/ml. Significantly lesser concentrations of androstenedione, testosterone, cortisol, and cortisone were caused by exposure to 30-3000 ng BPA/ml. In contrast, sconcentrations of estrone (E1) and E2 were significantly greater in BPA-exposed H295R cells. Lesser production of androstenedione and testosterone by H295R cells exposed to BPA was the most sensitive endpoint (no observable effect concentrations < 30 ng BPA/ml). CYP17A knockdown in H295R cells resulted in less production of both 17α hydroxyprogesterone and androstenedione. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that in H295R cells, BPA selectively inhibits 17,20-lyase but not 17α-hydroxylase. The primary mechanism causing increased E2 in the medium was inhibition of E2 metabolism rather than greater aromatase (CYP19) activity. These results suggest that BPA has the potential to interfere with cellular steroidogenesis in humans through multiple molecular mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China. howard50003250@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Xiaowei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wiseman
authors.forename: Yuhe
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Higley
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Chris K C
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Abdulaziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Khedhairy
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Giesy
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hecker
mesh_terms: D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001141:Aromatase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity*; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003348:Cortisone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors / Q000633:toxicity*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004970:Estrone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015870:Gene Expression; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010636:Phenols / Q000633:toxicity*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
chemical_list: D019326:17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D001141:Aromatase; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003348:Cortisone; D052244:Endocrine Disruptors; D004958:Estradiol; D004970:Estrone; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D010636:Phenols; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase; D013739:Testosterone; C501892:CYP17A1 protein, human; C006780:bisphenol A; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds