Bisphenol A impairs estradiol-induced protective effects against DLD-1 colon cancer cell growth

Bisphenol A (BPA), a prototype of endocrine disruptors, mimics 17β-estradiol (E2)-induced proliferation in several cancer cells by binding to estrogen receptor α (ERα). However, scarce and conflicting data are available concerning the effect of BPA on estrogen receptor β (ERβ)-mediated functions. Here, the detailed analysis of the effect of BPA, alone or in combination with E2, on ERβ-mediated cellular functions is reported in ERβ-expressing colon cancer cell line. BPA binds to ERβ without activating any receptor activities. On the other hand, BPA inhibits E2-induced genomic activity of ERβ as well as ERβ extra-nuclear activities (i.e., ERβ:p38 association and p38 activation). As a consequence, BPA impairs the E2-induced activation of the apoptotic cascade which is at the root of the protective role played by the hormone against colon cancer growth. Thus, women may be considered a highly susceptible population with an increased risk of colon cancers after BPA exposures.