Phorbol ester-modulation of estrogenic genomic effects triggered by the environmental contaminant benzanthracene

► The effects of PMA on estrogenic response to benzanthracene (BZA) were studied. ► BZA/PMA cotreatment differentially modulated genomic expression of estrogenic targets. ► PMA notably increased BZA-mediated induction of pS2, but reduced that of PGR. ► Induction of pS2 by BZA/PMA was PKCs- and ERK-dependent. ► PKC-modulation of BZA estrogenicity may have to be considered for toxicity.