Endocrinology · 2000 · 369 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesEndocrinologyToxicologyEnvironmental ToxicologyReproductive EndocrinologyReproductive ToxicologyGonadal HormonesHormone MetabolismHormone ReceptorsSteroid Hormone BiochemistrySteroid Hormone SignalingSteroid MetabolismEnvironmental EstrogenicityEstrogen MetabolismEstrogen Receptor-mediated ToxicityEstrogenic ToxicityPersistent Organic PollutantsReceptor IsoformsSexual Development DisruptionSulfotransferase Activity
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental pollutants which exert a variety of toxic effects in animals, including disturbances of sexual development and reproductive function. The estrogenic effects of PCBs may be mediated in part by hydroxylated PCB metabolites (PCB-OHs), but the mechanisms by which they are brought about are not understood. PCBs as well as PCB-Hs show low affinities for both alpha and beta estrogen receptor isoforms. In the present study we demonstrate that various environmentally relevant PCB-OHs are extremely potent inhibitors of human estrogen sulfotransferase, strongly suggesting that they indirectly induce estrogenic activity by increasing estradiol bioavailability in target tissues.