β-榄香烯乳剂逆转多药耐药细胞株MCF-7/ADM对阿霉素耐药性研究

目的：测定中药β-榄香烯乳剂对MCF-7/ADM细胞的无毒剂量,并检测此无毒剂量是否有逆转MCF-7/ADM细胞对化疗药物阿霉素（ADM）的多药耐药（multidrug resistance,MDR）性。方法：采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝（MTT）法测定药物的细胞毒性及耐药细胞逆转倍数;荧光分光光度法测定细胞内药物浓度。结果：无毒剂量的β-榄香烯乳剂(6μg/ml）能显著降低化疗药物ADM对乳腺癌耐药细胞株MCF-7/ADM细胞的IC50,明显增加耐药细胞内药物浓度。结论：初步研究表明β-榄香烯乳剂具有逆转MCF-7/ADM细胞MDR的作用。     

RNA甲基化酶WTAP对乳腺癌MCF-7和耐阿霉素MCF-7/ADR细胞迁移的影响

为了深入探讨乳腺癌治疗耐药的发生机制并寻找乳腺癌治疗耐药的潜在治疗手段,我们以乳腺癌MCF-7和耐阿霉素MCF-7/ADR细胞为研究对象,研究RNA甲基化酶WTAP对其迁移的影响。MTT试验发现阿霉素对MCF-7细胞活力的抑制作用大于对MCF-7/ADR细胞的抑制作用。qPCR和western-blot试验发现WTAP在耐阿霉素细胞MCF-7/ADR中高表达,同时transwell试验发现在MCF-7细胞中增加WTAP的表达对MCF-7细胞的迁移没有影响,而在MCF-7/ADR细胞中敲低WTAP的表达会抑制MCF-7/ADR细胞的迁移。western-blot试验进一步证明了这一作用是通过抑制上皮间质转化(EMT)来发挥的。这一发现有助于为乳腺癌的临床治疗提供新的理论依据并为乳腺癌的治疗提供新的策略。     

沉默AEG-1基因逆转乳腺癌MCF-7/ADM细胞耐药性

本研究旨在分析星形细胞上调基因1(astrocyte elevated gene-1,AEG-1)对乳腺癌MCF-7/ADM细胞化疗药物耐药性的影响,并探讨其作用机制。将MCF-7/ADM细胞在含1.0 mg/L阿霉素(adriamycin,ADM)的培养液中培养以维持细胞的耐药性;应用shRNA技术沉默乳腺癌MCF-7/ADM细胞中AEG-1基因表达;采用MTT比色法检测ADM对MCF-7/ADM的细胞耐毒作用,据以计算ADM的半数抑制浓度(IC50);流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡;Western blot方法检测AEG-1、p53和多药耐药基因1(multidrug resistance gene 1,MDR1)蛋白的表达水平以及Akt、MDM2和Bad的磷酸化水平。结果显示,乳腺癌MCF-7/ADM细胞的AEG-1蛋白水平显著高于MCF-7细胞(P0.05),经shRNA干扰后AEG-1蛋白水平显著降低(P0.05);沉默AEG-1基因能显著降低ADM对MCF-7/ADM细胞的IC50(P0.05),促进MCF-7/ADM细胞凋亡(P0.05),并增强ADM对MCF-7/ADM细胞的促凋亡作用,抑制Akt、MDM2和Bad的磷酸化(P0.05),促进p53蛋白表达(P0.05),降低MDR1蛋白表达水平(P0.05)。结果表明,沉默AEG-1基因可通过促进MCF-7/ADM细胞凋亡和下调MDR1蛋白表达,以逆转MCF-7/ADM细胞对ADM的耐药性。     

FPOA诱导人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞凋亡的作用

研究了从红缘拟层孔菌中分离纯化的3-乙酰氧基-8,24-羊毛甾二烯-21酸(FPOA)对人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7细胞增殖的抑制作用及诱导凋亡的作用机理.采用MTT法检测细胞抑制增殖的能力,通过Annexin V-FITC/PI双染法检测细胞凋亡情况,采用蛋白质印迹法分析凋亡相关蛋白的表达情况.结果表明,MCF-7经FPO...     

巨噬细胞集落刺激因子经PI3K/AKT信号途径影响人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞糖代谢

本文探讨巨噬细胞集落刺激因子（M-CSF）对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞糖代谢的影响及其机制. 构建胞质稳定转染 M-CSF的MCF-7细胞（MCF-7-M）;ATP检测试剂盒检测MCF-7和MCF-7-M细胞的ATP生成;葡萄糖测定试剂盒、乳酸测试盒检测MCF-7和MCF-7-M细胞的葡萄糖摄取和乳酸分泌情况;蛋白质印迹法检测在糖酵解抑制剂2-脱氧葡萄糖（2-DG）和氧化磷酸化抑制剂OLIG处理后,M-CSF对MCF-7细胞的糖酵解关键酶：己糖激酶2（HK2）、丙酮酸激酶M2（PKM2）及葡萄糖转运体1（GLUT-1）表达的影响;MTT法检测在ATP消耗剂3-溴丙酮酸（3-BrPA）处理后,MCF-7和MCF-7-M细胞对5-FU敏感性的变化. 结果发现：MCF-7-M细胞的ATP水平显著高于MCF-7细胞（P<0.05）;2-DG降低了MCF-7和MCF-7-M细胞的ATP水平,并且降低MCF-7-M细胞ATP的效果更明显（P<0.01）;MCF-7-M细胞的糖摄取能力和乳酸分泌量显著高于MCF-7细胞（P<0.01）,经API-2处理后,MCF-7和MCF-7-M细胞葡萄糖消耗和乳酸分泌量均显著减少（P<0.01）;MCF-7-M细胞GLUT-1、HK2和PKM2的表达显著高于MCF-7细胞（P<0.01）;LY294002和API-2均可抑制MCF-7-M细胞GLUT-1的表达（P<0.05）;用3-BrPA处理后,MCF-7-M和MCF-7细胞对5-FU的药物敏感性显著增强（P<0.01). 综上,得出结论： 胞质M-CSF通过诱导GLUT-1、HK2和PKM2的表达,活化MCF-7细胞糖酵解途径;PI3K/AKT信号通路参与胞质M-CSF活化MCF-7细胞的糖酵解途径.     

miR-200c抑制人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞糖代谢

为探讨miR-200c对人乳腺癌MCF-7 (Michigan cancer foundation-7)细胞糖代谢水平的影响,本研究使用miR-200c mimics转染MCF-7细胞,通过定量即时聚合酶链锁反应(quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction, qRT-PCR)检测各组细胞miR-200c的表达水平;利用细胞计数盒(cell counting kit-8, CCK-8)检测miR-200c mimics转染对MCF-7细胞增殖的影响;通过葡萄糖试剂盒检测各组细胞葡萄糖的消耗,乳酸试剂盒检测各组细胞乳酸的释放量;通过蛋白质印迹法(Western blotting)检测各组细胞糖代谢相关酶己糖激酶(hexokinase 2, HK2)以及肌肉丙酮酸激酶同工酶2 (pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2, PKM2)蛋白表达水平。与miR-NC组相比,miR-200c mimics转染明显上调MCF-7细胞miR-200c m RNA水平;且miR-NC组和MCF-7组miR-200c mRNA水平没有明显差异;细胞计数盒(cell counting kit-8, CCK-8)检测结果显示,与miR-NC组和MCF-7组相比,miR-200c mimics转染不仅明显降低乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的细胞活力,而且显著减少乳腺癌MCF-7细胞葡萄糖的消耗;此外,Western blotting结果显示,miR-200c显著下调MCF-7细胞糖代谢相关酶HK2和PKM2的表达。综上结果表明,miR-200c会抑制人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞糖代谢。本研究成果为乳腺癌防治提供一定的参考价值。     

白藜芦醇对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7增殖的影响

目的：研究白藜芦醇体外活性,确定它的植物雌激素作用。方法：采用MTT法观察不同浓度白藜芦醇对MCF-7细胞增殖作用的影响。采用DNA ladder法和荧光显微镜观察高浓度白藜芦醇对细胞的影响。免疫组化法观察低浓度白藜芦醇对核增殖抗原PCNA表达的影响。结果：MTT结果显示白藜芦醇高浓度抑制MCF-7细胞增殖,IC50为8.70×10-5mol/L;低浓度（10-7~10-6mol/L）则对细胞有促增殖作用,最高促增殖浓度为1.0×10-7mol/L。DNA ladder和荧光显微镜可观察到高浓度白藜芦醇作用后细胞典型的凋亡形态。免疫组化结果显示低浓度白藜芦醇作用后,细胞核内PCNA表达明显增加（P〈0.05）。结论：高、低浓度的白藜芦醇对MCF-7细胞分别表现为诱导凋亡和促增殖作用,呈现出植物雌激素对MCF-7细胞典型的双向调节作用。     

白藜芦醇对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7 增殖的影响

目的:研究白藜芦醇体外活性,确定它的植物雌激素作用。方法:采用MTT法观察不同浓度白藜芦醇对MCF-7细胞增殖作用的影响。采用DNA ladder法和荧光显微镜观察高浓度白藜芦醇对细胞的影响。免疫组化法观察低浓度白藜芦醇对核增殖抗原PCNA表达的影响。结果:MTT结果显示白藜芦醇高浓度抑制MCF-7细胞增殖,IC50为8.70×10-5mol/L;低浓度(10-7~10-6mol/L)则对细胞有促增殖作用,最高促增殖浓度为1.0×10-7mol/L。DNA ladder和荧光显微镜可观察到高浓度白藜芦醇作用后细胞典型的凋亡形态。免疫组化结果显示低浓度白藜芦醇作用后,细胞核内PCNA表达明显增加(P<0.05)。结论:高、低浓度的白藜芦醇对MCF-7细胞分别表现为诱导凋亡和促增殖作用,呈现出植物雌激素对MCF-7细胞典型的双向调节作用。     

两株耐紫杉醇人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的比较

建立稳定的肿瘤多药耐药(MDR)细胞株是肿瘤MDR机制研究的基础,以MCF-7细胞林为亲本细胞株,采用低浓度加量持续诱导和高浓度短期作用分别建立MCF-7/Taxola和MCF-7/Taxolb细胞模型,并对其耐药谱、动力学周期变化、表形变化、细胞侧群分布、药物蓄积等生物学特性比较评价.结果表明,MCF-7/Taxola和MCF-7/Taxolb细胞的紫杉醇(paclitaxel/Taxol)半数抑制浓度(IC50)分别是亲代MCF-7细胞的525倍和330倍,并且都对多种化疗药物交叉耐药;MCF-7/Taxola细胞S期细胞显著增加,G,期细胞减少;MCF-7/Taxolb细胞各个期变化不大;MCF-7/Taxola细胞P-糖蛋白(P-gP)、肺耐药相关蛋白(LRP)和还原型谷胱甘肽-S转移酶(GSTπ)的表达水平较亲代有显著增加,而MCF-7/Taxolb细胞GSTπ的表达水平较亲代也有显著增加,另外,拓扑异构酶Ⅱ(ToPoⅡ)在两株耐药细胞中表达都明显下降,而两株细胞雌激素受体(ER)、孕激素受体(PR)阳性都表达丢失;光镜下耐药细胞MCF-7/Taxola明显变大并且形态不规则而MCF-7/Taxolb变化不大;电镜下MCF-7/Taxolb表面纤绒毛成小球状隆起和絮状,而MCF-7/Taxolb表面成絮状:MCF-7/Taxola撤药10天后细胞中有紫杉醇蓄积,而MCF-7/Taxolb中没有紫杉醇蓄积.两个模型都具有MDR的基本生物学特性,可用于肿瘤MDR机制的研究,通过两种耐药细胞的比较,推测MCF-7/Taxolb细胞是MCF-7/Taxola细胞的一个亚群.     

灰树花多糖对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的凋亡作用

采用MTT法测定不同给药浓度的灰树花多糖(PGF) (1、10、20、50、100和200 μg/mL)在24、48和72 h对乳腺癌细胞(MCF-7)增殖的抑制率,并采用Hoechst染色与流式细胞技术观察20、50和100 μg/mL PGF给药24 h后MCF-7的凋亡情况,同时采用Western blotting对20、50、100 μg/mL PGF给药24 h后MCF-7细胞中Bax、Bcl-2、Pro-Caspase-3以及Cleaved Caspase-3的蛋白表达水平进行检测。研究发现PGF给药24、48和72 h后对MCF-7的增殖均有显著的抑制作用。随着PGF给药浓度增加,MCF-7细胞核裂解增多,细胞凋亡数量增多。PGF 20、50和100 μg/mL给药对MCF-7细胞Bax、Bcl-2、Pro-Caspase-3以及Cleaved Caspase-3的蛋白表达水平可见显著性差异。     

Methionine cytotoxicity in the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7

Summary Among the first nutrients to be linked to cancer were methyl group containing nutrients including methionine. Methionine and its metabolic derivatives are essential components in several indispensable biological reactions including protein synthesis, polyamine synthesis, and many transmethylation reactions. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which methionine excess affects the proliferation and gene expression of the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Cells were first grown in control medium; the medium was then replaced with either control or methionine-supplemented treatment media. We found that 5 and 10 g/L methionine significantly suppressed cell growth on day 1, and no further growth was detected after 3 d of treatment. Cell, proliferation in the methionine treated group was significantly lower than that of the control group. Northern analysis revealed that expression of p53 in methionine-treated MCF-7 cells was approximately 70% lower than that of control cells. p53 is a key cell cycle regulatory, protein that has been implicated in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Alteration of the p53 tumor suppressor gene is the most common genetic change found in a wide variety of malignancies, including cancer. This study shows that excess methionine (5 g/L) inhibited proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and down regulation of p53 is correlated with this inhibition. These findings may aid in the development of nutritional strategies for breast cancer therapy.     

miR-449a对人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7增殖及迁移能力的影响

目的：通过敲低微小RNA （microRNA,miRNA）-449a的方法研究miR-449a对人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的增殖和迁移能力的影响。方法：采用miRNA芯片在乳腺癌细胞MCF-7和人正常乳腺细胞MCF-10A筛选具有表达差异的miRNA;化学合成法制备miR-449a的抑制剂（inhibitor）,转染后经real-time PCR验证表达的变化;细胞增殖CCK-8实验对转染后细胞增殖能力进行检测;划痕实验检测细胞转移能力,transwell小室实验检测细胞侵袭的改变;蛋白免疫印迹法（Western blot）实验对MCF-7细胞增殖和迁移相关的β-catenin和E-cadherin蛋白进行检测;通过生物信息学软件预测miR-449a潜在靶基因为Notch 1,荧光素酶实验检测Notch 1是miR-449a的靶基因。结果：分别收集MCF-7和MCF-10A细胞,芯片结果显示miR-449a在MCF-7细胞的表达水平显著高于MCF-10A;本研究将细胞分为未处理组（Mock组）,阴性对照组（negative control组,NC组）和处理组,通过收集不同组MCF-7细胞进行试验,CCK-8结果显示miR-449a下调后MCF-7细胞增殖能力显著降低;划痕实验结果显示miR-449a表达降低导致MCF-7细胞转移能力降低;transwell实验结果显示MCF-7细胞侵袭受到抑制;Western blot结果发现miR-449a敲低后β-catenin表达降低,E-cadherin表达增加;荧光素酶试验结果显示,miR-449a能够显著降低Notch 1-3'-UTR质粒的荧光素活性（P<0.01）。结论：在乳腺癌细胞MCF-7中敲低miR-449a能够显著抑制癌细胞增殖和迁移,而这一变化可能通过降低Notch 1蛋白表达实现的。     

Role of the insulin-like growth factor system on an estrogen-dependent cancer phenotype in the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line

We previously established that exposure of the estrogen receptor (ER) positive MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line to 17-β-estradiol (E₂) results in the post-confluent development of multilayered cellular aggregates (foci) which is consistent with the in vivo cancer phenotype of uncontrolled cellular proliferation. In this investigation, the interaction between the insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) and ER-signaling systems in regard to post-confluent focus development was studied. We demonstrated that focus development requires the presence of E₂ and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) or insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II), as well as intact ER and IGF-IR.

Focus development in MCF-7 cultures, which occurs only after formation of a confluent monolayer, coincides with E₂ regulation of key members of the IGF-signaling system such as IGF-IR, IGF-II, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), as demonstrated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To establish the relevancy of an intact IGF-signaling system for foci formation, we generated stable clones from MCF-7 with IGF-IR suppressed by siRNA. Results from these studies implicate signaling through the IGF-IR to be an integral requirement for E₂-dependent post-confluent proliferation and focus formation. In summary, these studies establish the interactive roles of IGFs and E₂ in the post-confluent development of foci, and will allow subsequent identification of targets for therapeutic intervention in the control and treatment of estrogen-dependent breast cancer.     

防己水煮液逆转MCF-7/ADM多药耐药细胞的初步研究

目的：观察中药防己水煮液对MCF-7／ADM多药耐药细胞的逆转作用,并对防己水煮液的逆转MCF-7多药耐药细胞株的有效组分作初步追踪。方法：用SRB显色法观察防己水煮液对MCF-7野生型细胞的毒性作用及对MCF-7／ADM多药耐药细胞的逆转作用,并用相同方法跟踪防己水煮液不同分离组分逆转MCF-7多药耐药细胞株的作用,确定有效组分。结果：对耐2．0μg／mLADM的MCF-7／ADM多药耐药细胞,当阿霉素浓度降到0．25μg／mL时,防己水煮液对MCF-7／ADM多药耐药细胞的逆转效果比较明显,即0．25μg／mL阿霉素为防己水煮液逆转MCF-7／ADM多药耐药细胞的敏感浓度点;对MCF-7／ADM多药耐药细胞起逆转作用的有效成分大部分集中在经正丁醇萃取所得相和水相中,而极性低的有机溶剂相中基本不合可以逆转MCF-7／ADM多药耐药细胞的有效组分。     

乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7-PC-1-46的建立

以人前列腺癌C4-2细胞基因组DNA为模板,扩增出PC-1基因N端编码46个氨基酸残基及其上游非编码区共599bp的DNA序列,将其正向克隆到真核表达载体pIRES2中,并在脂质体介导下,转染人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7,经G418筛选获得阳性单克隆,细胞扩大培养后,进行PCR和RT-PCR分析,检测外源PC-1基因在靶细胞中的整合与转录,PCR和RT-PCR结果表明,稳定转梁细胞株MCF-7-PC-1-46具有外源目的基因的整合和相应mRNA的高表达,说明成功建立了稳定表达外源PC-1基因N端46个氨基酸的人乳腺癌细胞株,为进一步研究PC-1基因的生物学功能提供了实验材料。     

Apoptosis-like cell death of human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 induced by buprenorphine hydrochloride

The analgesic buprenorphine hydrochloride (Bph) induced apoptosis-like cell death in the caspase-3-deficient human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. This apoptosis-like cell death activated key molecules in the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway: cytochrome c, caspase-9, caspase-7, and caspase-6. Bph caused the release of fluorescent protein from the mitochondria of MCF-7 cells transfected with the pDsRed2-Mito-vector in a time-dependent manner, suggesting disruption of the mitochondrial membrane. Zn(2+) as high as 2 mM did not inhibit the DNase that took part in this apoptosis. Thus, this unidentified DNase might resemble other DNases involved in apoptosis-like cell death whose activity is not inhibited by zinc ion.     

Synergistic effect of TEMPO-coated TiO2 nanorods for PDT applications in MCF-7 cell line model

This study focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and assessment of the synergistic effect of 2,2,6,6, tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO)-coated titanium dioxide nanorods (TiO₂ NRs) for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Firstly, TiO₂ NRs were synthesized by the sol–gel technique. Then, TEMPO was grafted on TiO₂ NRs with the aid of oxoammonium salts. Next, the final product was characterized by applying manifold characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction was used to perform crystallographic analysis; transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to conduct morphological analysis; Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectra were recorded to perform molecular fingerprint analysis. Furthermore, experimental and empirical modeling was performed to confirm the suitability of as-prepared samples for PDT applications using (MCF-7 cell line) Human Breast Cancer cell line. Our results revealed that bare TiO₂ NRs did not exhibit a significant response for therapeutic applications compared to TEMPO-conjugated TiO₂ NRs in the dark; however, they exhibited a prominent response for the PDT application under UV-A light. Therefore, it is concluded that TEMPO-coated TiO₂ NRs shows the synergistic response for therapeutic approach under UV-A light irradiation. In addition, TEMPO capped TiO2 nanorods not only overcome the multidrug resistance (MDR) hindrance but also exhibit excellent response for cancer cell (MCF-7 cells) treatment only under UV light irradiation via PDT. It is expected that the proposed TiO₂ NRs + TEMPO nanocomposite, which is suitable for PDT treatment, may be essential for photodynamic therapy.     

Differential effect of glucose deprivation on MAPK activation in drug sensitive human breast carcinoma MCF-7 and multidrug resistant MCF-7/ADR cells

We have investigated the effect of glucose deprivation treatment on the activation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the drug-sensitive human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7) and its drug resistant variant (MCF-7/ADR) cells. Western blots and in-gel kinase assays showed that glucose free medium was a strong stimulus for the activation of MAPK in MCF-7/ADR cells. No activation was seen in MCF-7 cells. MAPK was activated within 3 min of being in glucose free medium and it remained activated for over 1 h in MCF-7/ADR cells. After being returned to complete medium, 1 h was required for the MAPK to become deactivated. To investigate whether alternative sources of ATP could inhibit glucose deprivation induced MAPK activation, we added glutamine and glutamate to glucose deprived medium. The addition of glutamine did not reverse glucose deprivation induced MAPK activation in MCF-7/ADR cells. The addition of glutamate, however, decreased the MAPK activation and the length of time of activation. We observed an increase greater than three fold in MEK, Raf, Ras, and PKC activity with glucose deprivation in MCF-7/ADR cells. This suggests that glucose deprivation-induced MAPK activation is mediated through this signal transduction pathway.     

eIF-4E腺病毒载体构建及对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞转移能力的影响

摘要 目的：构建乳腺癌真核细胞起始因子一4E(eukaryotic initiation factor 4E,eIF-4E)基因重组腺病毒载体,并观察其对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7转移能力的影响。方法：应用基因重组技术将eIF-4E基因构建于腺病毒载体pAD-X,转染293包装细胞得到高滴度重组腺病毒,并用real-time PCR进行eIF-4E基因表达的验证。将重组腺病毒pAD-eIF-4E感染MCF-7细胞后,应用transwell小室法观察其对细胞侵袭和运动能力的影响。结果：酶切结果与预期相符,real-time PCR可检测到转染后MCF-7细胞有eIF-4E基因表达。且病毒转染后transwell小室可见,MCF-7细胞的侵袭和运动能力均受到显著的抑制（均为p<0.01）。结论：重组eIF-4E腺病毒载体正确构建,其对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的侵袭和运动都有抑制作用。     

Estrogen-like properties of brominated analogs of bisphenol A in the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TeBBPA) is a four-meta-brominated variant of bisphenol A (BPA) and is one of the most commonly used brominated flame retardants worldwide. We compared the estrogenic potency of TeBBPA, BPA and the brominated analogs mono- (MBBPA), di- (DBBPA), and tribromobisphenol A (TrBBPA) in the estrogen-dependent human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. All of the compounds competed with 17β-estradiol for binding to the estrogen receptor, although the affinity of the test chemicals to the estrogen receptor was much lower than that of 17β-estradiol. TrBBPA and TeBBPA showed a considerably lower access to the estrogen receptors within intact MCF-7 cells incubated in 100% serum compared to incubation in serum-free medium, indicating a strong binding to serum proteins. BPA, MBBPA, and DBBPA showed only a slightly reduced access to the receptors. All of the test compounds induced proliferation in MCF-7 cells, the potential decreasing with increasing number of bromo-substitutions. TeBBPA did not induce maximal cell growth, indicating cytotoxic effects at high concentrations. BPA and the brominated analogs, except TeBBPA, induced progesterone receptor and pS2 to the same extent as 17β-estradiol, although at much higher concentrations. Our studies demonstrate that compared to 17β-estradiol, BPA and the brominated analogs have much lower estrogenic potencies for all of the endpoints tested, TeBBPA being the least estrogenic compound. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.