The phytoestrogen genistein affects zebrafish development through two different pathways.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Endocrine disrupting chemicals are widely distributed in the environment and derive from many different human activities or can also be natural products synthesized by plants or microorganisms. The phytoestrogen, genistein (4', 5, 7-trihydroxy-isoflavone), is a naturally occurring compound found in soy products. Genistein has been the subject of numerous studies because of its known estrogenic activity.

Methodology/principal findings

We report that genistein exposure of zebrafish embryos induces apoptosis, mainly in the hindbrain and the anterior spinal cord. Timing experiments demonstrate that apoptosis is induced during a precise developmental window. Since adding ICI 182,780, an ER antagonist, does not rescue the genistein-induced apoptosis and since there is n

SUBMITTER: Sassi-Messai S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2655710 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature