title: Halowax 1051 affects steroidogenesis by down-regulation of aryl hydrocarbon and estrogen receptors and up-regulation of androgen receptor in porcine ovarian follicles.
abstract: Polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) are thought to interact with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and to have enzyme-inducing properties comparable to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, therefore activation of steroid hormone receptors in endocrine tissues is also possible. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of PCNs mixture, Halowax 1051 on gene and protein expression of receptors: estradiol (ERα/β), androgen (AR) and AHRGene expression was evaluated by real-time PCR after 6 h of exposition and protein expression by Western blot after 24 h. Levels of sex steroids: androstenedione (A4), estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) were measured by enzyme immunoassays. Results of the data show down-regulation of AHR gene expression after 6 h in parallel with an inhibition in AHR protein expression at doses 10 pg-10 ng/mL, down-regulation of ER at all doses used, and up-regulation of AR gene expression at doses 1 and 10 ng/mL without affecting their protein expression. To indicate the involvement of AHR, ERs and AR in the impact of PCNs on steroidogenesis, we used their specific blockers. Blocker of AHR reversed the inhibitory effect of Halowax 1051 on A4 secretion, and strengthened its effect on T secretion. Blockers of both ER and AR had no effect on Halowax 1051 action on steroids secretion. The results of this study suggest that AHR is involved in the effect of PCNs on steroidogenesis in the ovary. Additionally, we propose that cross-talk between AHR-ER and AHR-AR receptors mediates the effects of Halowax 1051 on ovarian follicles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Kraków, Poland. Electronic address: justyna.jerzak@uj.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barć
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Kraków, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa Lucja
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Gregoraszczuk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000096:biosynthesis; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000633:toxicity*; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000633:toxicity*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015533:Transcriptional Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D009281:Naphthalenes; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; C571106:halowax 1051; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol
keywords: AHR; AR; ER; Halowax 1051; Ovary; Receptors