Synergistic activation of estrogen receptor with combinations of environmental chemicals

Journal Article · Fri Jun 07 04:00:00 EDT 1996 · Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.272.5267.1489· OSTI ID:263047

Arnold, S F; Klotz, D M; Collins, B M ^[1]

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1. and others

Certain chemicals in the environment are estrogenic. The low potencies of the compounds, when studied singly, suggest that they may have little effect on biological systems. The estrogenic potencies of combinations of such chemicals were screened in a simple yeast estrogen potencies of combination of such chemicals were screened in a simple yeast estrogen systems (YES) containing human estrogen receptor (hER). Combinations of two weak environmental estrogens, such as dieldrin, endosulfan, or toxaphene, were 100 times as potent in hER-mediated transactivation as any chemical alone. Hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls shown previously to synergistically alter sexual development in turtles also synergized in the YES. The synergistic interaction of chemical mixtures with the estrogen receptor may have profound environmental implications. These results may represent a previously uncharacterized level of regulation of estrogen-associated responses. 32 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 263047
• Journal Information: Science, Journal Name: Science Journal Issue: 5267 Vol. 272; ISSN SCIEAS; ISSN 0036-8075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
DIELDRIN
ESTROGENS
MAN
POLLUTANTS
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS
REPRODUCTIVE DISORDERS
SYNERGISM