Expression profiling of the genes responding to zearalenone and its analogues using estrogen-responsive genes

To compare gene expression profiles in response to estrogen or 17β-estradiol (E2) and a mycotoxin, zearalenone (ZEA), and its analogues (collectively termed ZEA compounds), breast cancer MCF-7 cells were treated with 10 nM of E2 or ZEA compounds including ZEA, α-zearalenol, β-zearalenol, zearalanone, α-zearalanol and β-zearalanol. Expression profiles for 120 estrogen-responsive genes were subjected to cluster and statistical analyses using correlation coefficients or R-values. We found that all of the ZEA compounds stimulated the growth of MCF-7 cells, as much as E2, and showed similar expression profiles to that of E2 (R-values ranged from 0.82 to 0.96). The effect of ZEA compounds was likely mediated by estrogen-receptor-dependent Erk1/2-signaling. These results provide clues to understand the mechanism of their estrogen-like action.