Steroidal estrogens, widespread in the environment, are contaminants of potential concern because exposure to these compounds can cause adverse impacts on aquatic life. Intensive research efforts have been undertaken in order to better understand the environmental occurrence of these compounds. In addition to physical/chemical reactions, biological processes - microbial biodegradation of steroidal estrogens - play a vital role in determining the fate and transport of these compounds in built and natural environments. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the microbiology of estrogen biodegradation. Aerobic and anaerobic estrogen-degrading microorganisms are phylogenetically diverse; they are mainly isolated from soils, activated sludge, dental plaque and intestines. Estrogens can be degraded via growth-linked and non-growth-linked reactions, as well as through abiotic degradation in the presence of selective microorganisms. Current knowledge on estrogen biodegradation kinetics and pathways is limited. Molecular methods are useful in deciphering estrogen-degrading microbial community and tracking the quantity of known degraders in bioreactors with different operating conditions. Future research efforts aimed at bridging knowledge gaps on estrogen biodegradation are also proposed.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.01.112 | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
January 2025
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China.
The essential cause of menopause is ovarian failure, which can cause decline in sex hormones (especially estrogen) that can increase the risk of metabolic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. This study screened 1511 eligible patients from 2148 perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, measuring various physiological and biochemical indicators to analyze differences among age groups (40-44, 45-49, and 50-54 years) with laboratory techniques. The study found no significant difference in the incidence of cardiovascular disease betweenperimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdv Protein Chem Struct Biol
January 2025
Department of Life Sciences, Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Electronic address:
Nuclear receptors (NRs) are ligand-activated transcription factors that regulate gene expression in response to physiological signals, such as hormones and other chemical messengers. These receptors either activate or repress the transcription of target genes, which in turn promotes or suppresses physiological processes governing growth, differentiation, and homeostasis. NRs bind to specific DNA sequences and, in response to ligand binding, either promote or hinder the assembly of the transcriptional machinery, thereby influencing gene expression at the transcriptional level.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Physiol Sci
January 2025
The Molecular Medicine Key Laboratory of Liver Injury and Repair, College of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, Henan University of Science and Technology, 471003, Luoyang, People's Republic of China; Henan Center for Engineering and Technology Research On Prevention and Treatment of Liver Diseases, 471003, Luoyang, People's Republic of China.
The TGF-β1/Smad3-signaling pathway and gender differences were investigated in alcoholic liver fibrosis. Mice were divided into female normal, female model, male normal, and male model groups. Liver injury and fibrosis were assessed using histopathology and serology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Biochem
January 2025
Department of Comparative and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan.
The uterine endometrium consists of luminal epithelium, glandular epithelium, and stromal cells, with uterine glands playing a pivotal role in pregnancy success among mammals. Uterine glands secrete essential factors that regulate embryo development and implantation; however, their cellular biology remains poorly understood. This study presents a refined method for isolating three distinct endometrial cell types with high purity, with a specific emphasis on glandular epithelial cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Endocrinol (Lausanne)
January 2025
Biomedical and Translational Sciences Institute, Neuroscience Division, Athens, GA, United States.
Significance: Women are at increased risk for mood disorders, which may be partly attributed to exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during sensitive periods such as pregnancy. Exposure during these times can impact brain development in the offspring, potentially leading to mood disorders in later life. Additionally, fluctuating levels of endogenous estrogens, as seen during pregnancy, or the use of oral contraceptives, can further elevate this risk.
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