Low-concentration BPF induced cell biological responses by the ERα and GPER1-mediated signaling pathways in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Bisphenol F (BPF), one of the alternatives to bisphenol A (BPA), can induce proliferation through the nuclear estrogen receptor ERα (estrogen receptor alpha) pathway in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. However, the roles of membrane estrogen receptor GPER1 (G-protein-coupled receptor 1)-mediated signaling pathways in MCF-7 cell proliferation caused by BPF are unclear. The influence of BPF on MCF-7 cells was evaluated in terms of cell proliferation, intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) fluctuations, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The molecular mechanisms of the cellular responses to low doses of BPF were studied through detecting the activations of ERα and GPER1-regulated PI3K/PKB or AKT (phosphatidylinotidol 3-kinase/protein kinase B) and ERK1/2 (extracellular-signa1-regulated kinase 1/2) signals. At 0.01-1 μM, BPF significantly promoted cell proliferation and elevated the levels of intracellular ROS and Ca²⁺. At these concentrations, BPF also significantly upregulated protein expressions of ERα, GPER1, c-myc, and cyclin D and phosphorylations of PKB and ERK1/2. Specific signal inhibitors decreased PKB and ERK1/2 phosphorylations and attenuated the effects of BPF. Silencing of GPER1 also significantly decreased BPF-induced cell proliferation. These results indicate that activating the GPER1-PI3K/PKB and ERK1/2 signals by low doses of BPF can regulate the response of MCF-7 cells and that ERα also influences the effects of exposure to BPF on the cells. The present study suggests a new mechanism by which BPF exerts relevant estrogenic action in cancer cells and also highlights the potential risks in using BPF as an alternative to BPA.

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