Glyphosate activation of Estrogen Receptors a and b in human cell line PNT1A

Although many harmful effects of the herbicide Glyphosate (Gly, N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine) on non-target organisms are known, it is still used in many countries, especially in Monsanto branded formulation, i.e. Roundup. Given the ever-increasing demand for food closely related to the increase in human population, it is widely used in agriculture and horticulture, to maximize and speed up harvests. As a result, Gly has become an emerging environmental pollutant, causing contamination of soil, water and crops. Unfortunately, Gly does not remain confined to ecosystems but reaches animals and humans through the food chain, endangering the health of the population [1]. Recent studies carried out on the field lizard aimed at verifying the impairment of reproduction induced by Gly exposure on terrestrial vertebrates, demonstrated that Gly acts as an endocrine disruptor by altering the expression and localization of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) in the tissues (liver and gonads) [2- 4]. Both upregolation and activation of ERα have also been demonstrated in vivo and in vitro models of the mammalian blood-testis barrier [5]. Finally, the ability of Gly to mimic 17β-estradiol effects promoting ERa activity has been found in breast cancer cells [6]. This study aimed to verify the ability of Glyphosate and Roundup to exert the endocrine disruption effect through ERs activation, promoting their nuclear translocation.