title: Foci formation of MCF7 cells as an in vitro screening method for estrogenic chemicals.
abstract: Previously we reported a novel phenomenon that some organochlorine compounds mainly act through activation of c-Neu tyrosine kinase without being strong agonists for the estrogen receptor. In this study we tested the possibility of developing an assay system to identify estrogenic compounds acting through this c-Neu-mediated mechanism. We describe herein an assay that utilizes foci formation of MCF7 cells as an endpoint, antibody 9G6 to neutralize the c-Neu-mediated pathway and 4-hydroxytamoxifen to block the ER. Aroclors 1242 and 1248, 2,2',3,5',6-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 95), 2,2'-dichlorobiphenyl (PCB), cis- and trans- permethrins, and chlorothalonil were found to render estrogenic effects through this c-Neu-mediated mechanism, while α and β- endosulfans appeared to act through a pathway independent of the c-Neu-mediated one. Pentachloronitrobenzene was found to be capable of antagonizing the 17β-estradiol effect, which has never been reported previously.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Toxicology, Institute of Toxicology and Environmental Health, ITEH, The University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Enmin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Mariko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hatakeyama
authors.forename: Fumio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Matsumura