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Balbi T, Ciacci C, Canesi L. Estrogenic compounds as exogenous modulators of physiological functions in molluscs: Signaling pathways and biological responses. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2019; 222:135-144. [PMID: 31055067 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Molluscs have been widely utilized to evaluate the effects of estrogenic compounds, one of the most widespread classes of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals-EDCs. However, knowledge on steroid signaling and metabolism in molluscs has considerably increased in the last decade: from these studies, a considerable debate emerged on the role of 'natural' steroids in physiology, in particular in reproduction, of this invertebrate group. In this work, available information on the effects and mechanisms of action of estrogens in molluscs will be reviewed, with particular emphasis on bivalves that, widespread in aquatic ecosystems, are most likely affected by exposure to estrogenic EDCs. Recent advances in steroid uptake and metabolism, and estrogen receptors-ERs in molluscs, as well as in estrogen signaling in vertebrates, will be considered. The results so far obtained with 17β-estradiol and different estrogenic compounds in the model bivalve Mytilus spp., demonstrate specific effects on immune function, development and metabolism. Transcriptomic data reveal non genomic estrogen signaling pathways in mussel tissues that are supported by new observations at the cellular level. In vitro and in vivo data show, through independent lines of evidence, that estrogens act through non-genomic signaling pathways in bivalves. In this light, regardless of whether molluscs synthesize estrogens de novo or not, and despite their ERs are not directly activated by ligand binding, estrogens can interact with multiple signaling components, leading to modulation of different physiological functions. Increasing knowledge in endocrine physiology of molluscs will provide a framework for a better evaluation and interpretation of data on the impact of estrogenic EDCs in this invertebrate group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Balbi
- Dept. of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Caterina Ciacci
- Dept. of Biomolecular Sciences (DIBS), University 'Carlo Bo' of Urbino, Urbino, Italy
| | - Laura Canesi
- Dept. of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences (DISTAV), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
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Hallmann A, Konieczna L, Swiezak J, Milczarek R, Smolarz K. Aromatisation of steroids in the bivalve Mytilus trossulus. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6953. [PMID: 31198629 PMCID: PMC6535040 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we demonstrated the presence of the enzymatic complex able to perform aromatization (estrogen synthesis) in both, the microsomal and mitochondrial fractions of gills and gonads from Mytilus trossulus. Based on in vitro experiments, we highlighted the importance of temperature as the limiting factor of aromatisation efficiency (AE) in mussels. After testing range of temperatures (4–23 °C), the highest AE was found during incubation at 8 °C and pH 7.6 (41.66 pmol/h/mg protein in gills and 58.37 pmol/h/mg protein in gonads). The results were confirmed during field studies where the most efficient aromatisation occurred in bivalves collected in spring while the least effective in those collected in winter. During in vitro studies, AE turned out to be more intensive in female gonads than in male gonads. The process was also more intensive in mitochondrial fraction than in microsomal one (62.97 pmol/h/mg protein in male gills and 73.94 pmol/h/mg protein in female gonads). Enzymatic complex (aromatase-like enzyme) catalysing aromatisation in mussels was found to be insensitive to inhibitory effect of selective inhibitors of mammalian aromatase such as letrozole and anastrazole, suggesting its different structure from vertebrate aromatase. Further in vivo studies using 13C-labeled steroids at 8 °C temperature window confirmed that bivalves are able to uptake testosterone and androstenedione from the ambient environment and metabolise them to estrone and 17β-estradiol thus confirming endogenous estrogen’ synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hallmann
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Lucyna Konieczna
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Justyna Swiezak
- Department of Marine Ecosystem Functioning, University of Gdańsk, Gdynia, Poland
| | - Ryszard Milczarek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Smolarz
- Department of Marine Ecosystem Functioning, University of Gdańsk, Gdynia, Poland
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Yu W, Du B, Yang L, Zhang Z, Yang C, Yuan S, Zhang M. Occurrence, sorption, and transformation of free and conjugated natural steroid estrogens in the environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:9443-9468. [PMID: 30758794 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-04402-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Natural steroid estrogens (NSEs), including free estrogens (FEs) and conjugated estrogens (CEs), are of emerging concern globally among public and scientific community due to their recognized adverse effects on human and wildlife endocrine systems in recent years. In this review, the properties, occurrence, sorption process, and transformation pathways of NSEs are clarified in the environment. The work comprehensively summarizes the occurrence of both free and conjugated estrogens in different natural and built environments (e.g., river, WWTPs, CAFOs, soil, and sediment). The sorption process of NSEs can be impacted by organic compounds, colloids, composition of clay minerals, specific surface area (SSA), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and pH value. The degradation and transformation of free and conjugated estrogens in the environment primarily involves oxidation, reduction, deconjugation, and esterification reactions. Elaboration about the major, subordinate, and minor transformation pathways of both biotic and abiotic processes among NSEs is highlighted. The moiety types and binding sites also would affect deconjugation degree and preferential transformation pathways of CEs. Notably, some intermediate products of NSEs still remain estrogenic potency during transformation process; the elimination of total estrogenic activity needs to be addressed in further studies. The in-depth researches regarding the behavior of both free and conjugated estrogens are further required to tackle their contamination problem in the ecosystem. Graphical abstract ᅟ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Yu
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, No.66 Xuefu Rd., Nan'an Dist, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Banghao Du
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, No.66 Xuefu Rd., Nan'an Dist, Chongqing, 400074, China.
| | - Lun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, No.66 Xuefu Rd., Nan'an Dist, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environments of the Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Chun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environments of the Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Shaochun Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, No.66 Xuefu Rd., Nan'an Dist, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Minne Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, No.66 Xuefu Rd., Nan'an Dist, Chongqing, 400074, China
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