Novel Calbindin-D(9k) protein as a useful biomarker for environmental estrogenic compounds in the uterus of immature rats

Reprod Toxicol. 2003 May-Jun;17(3):311-9. doi: 10.1016/s0890-6238(03)00003-0.

Abstract

The compounds that bind the estrogen receptors (ER) and induce or modulate an ER-mediated response can be defined as estrogenic endocrine disruptors (EDs). We demonstrated that environmental estrogens induced the uterine CaBP-9k mRNA in rats using Northern blot assay suggesting that CaBP-9k gene could be a biomarker for the estrogenicity of chemicals in the previous studies. In the present studies, we further collaborated this idea by investigating the regulation and localization of CaBP-9k protein in response to estrogenic compounds. Immature rats were injected with estrogenic chemicals, 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), nonylphenol (NP) and bisphenol A (BPA) or 17beta-estradiol (E2). After treatment with these estrogenic compounds, the effects on the accumulation of CaBP-9k protein and uterine localization were examined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining (IHC), respectively. A dose- and time-dependent increase in CaBP-9k protein was observed in the uterus of immature rats when treated with OP and NP. In addition, treatment with BPA resulted in a significant increase in CaBP-9k protein at dose of 500mg/kg BW/day. Taken together, CaBP-9k protein is strongly up-regulated by estrogenic compounds (OP, NP and BPA) and E2 itself in the uterus of immature rats. These results indicate that CaBP-9k protein can be a useful biomarker for detection of the estrogenicity of putative estrogenic compounds. Thus, regarding to risk assessment, we propose that CaBP-9k protein assay in the immature rat uterus can be a very sensitive and powerful tool to identify compounds with estrogenic activity when used in combination with classical assays.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Blotting, Western
  • Calbindins
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Environmental Pollutants / toxicity*
  • Estradiol / pharmacology
  • Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / toxicity*
  • Female
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Phenols / toxicity
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / analysis
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / biosynthesis*
  • Time Factors
  • Uterus / drug effects*
  • Uterus / metabolism

Substances

  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Biomarkers
  • Calbindins
  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Estrogens, Non-Steroidal
  • Phenols
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein G
  • Estradiol
  • nonylphenol
  • 4-tert-octylphenol
  • bisphenol A