Benzophenones alter autophagy and ER stress gene expression in pancreatic beta cells in vitro

Benzophenones (BPs) are endocrine disruptors frequently used in sunscreens and food packaging as UV blockers. Our goal was to assess the effect of benzophenone 2 (BP2) and 3 (BP3) on gene expression related to autophagy process and ER stress response in pancreatic beta cells. To that end, the mouse pancreatic beta cell line MIN6B1 was treated with 10 µM BP2 or BP3 in the presence or absence of the autophagy-inhibitor chloroquine (CQ, 10 µM) or the autophagy-inducer rapamycin (RAPA, 50 nM) during 24 h. BP3 inhibited the expression of the autophagic gene Ulk1, and additional effects were uncovered when autophagy was modified by CQ and RAPA. BP3 counteracted CQ-induced Lamp2 expression but did not compensate CQ-induced Sqstm1/p62 gene transcription, neither BP2. Nevertheless, the BPs did not alter the autophagic flux. In relation to ER stress, BP3 inhibited unspliced and spliced Xbp1 mRNA levels in the presence or absence of CQ, totally counteracted CQ-induced Chop gene expression, and partially reverted CQ-induced Grp78/Bip mRNA levels, while BP2 also partially inhibited Grp78/Bip mRNA induction by CQ. In conclusion, BPs, principally BP3, affect cellular adaptive responses related to autophagy, lysosomal biogenesis, and ER stress in pancreatic beta cells, indicating that BP exposure could lead to beta cell dysfunction.