Xenoestrogen-induced ERK-1 and ERK-2 activation via multiple membrane-initiated signaling pathways

Nataliya N. Bulayeva, Cheryl S. Watson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

164 Scopus citations

Abstract

Xenoestrogens can mimic or antagonize the activity of physiological estrogens, and the suggested mechanism of xenoestrogen action involves binding to estrogen receptors (ERs). However, the failure of various in vitro or in vivo assays to show strong genomic activity of xenoestrogens compared with estradiol (E2) makes it difficult to explain their ability to cause abnormalities in animal (and perhaps human) reproductive functions via this pathway of steroid action. E2 has also been shown to initiate rapid intracellular signaling, such as changes in levels of intracellular calcium, cAMP, and nitric oxide, and activations of a variety of kinases, via action at the membrane. In this study, we demonstrate that several xenoestrogens can rapidly activate extracellular-regulated kinases (ERKs) in the pituitary tumor cell line GH3/B6/F10, which expresses high levels of the membrane receptor for ER-α (mER). We tested a phytoestrogen (coumestrol), organochlorine pesticides or their metabolites (endosulfan, dieldrin, and DDE), and detergent by-products of plastics manufacturing (p-nonylphenol and bisphenol A). These xenoestrogens (except bisphenol A) produced rapid (3-30 min after application), concentration (10-14-10-8 M)-dependent ERK-1/2 phosphorylation but with distinctly different activation patterns. To identify signaling pathways involved in ERK activation, we used specific inhibitors of ERs, epidermal growth factor receptors, Ca2+ signaling, Src and phosphoinositide-3 kinases, and a membrane structure disruption agent. Multiple inhibitors blocked ERK activation, suggesting simultaneous use of multiple pathways and complex signaling web interactions. However, inhibitors differentially affected each xenoestrogen response examined. These actions may help to explain the distinct abilities of xenoestrogens to disrupt reproductive functions at low concentrations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1481-1487
Number of pages7
JournalEnvironmental health perspectives
Volume112
Issue number15
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2004

Keywords

  • ERKs
  • Environmental estrogens
  • Estradiol
  • Phytoestrogens
  • Prolactinoma cell line
  • Rapid estrogen effects

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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