Evaluation of endocrine activities of bisphenols using progesterone reporter gene assays

Abstract

In vitro reporter gene assays are widely used to detect endocrine disruptors. Previously, we established the novel yeast bioassay for progesterone receptor (PR) and conducted the validation assay. This study demonstrates that 2,2-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (Bisphenol A; BPA) and BPA-related compounds have antagonistic activity using the yeast-based and human cell-based bioassays.

BPA decreased progesterone-induced reporter activity in yeast-based PR bioassay. Several bisphenol-related compounds also exhibited PR antagonist activity. These antagonistic effects of bisphenols were also observed in human-based PR bioassay.