Researchers Identify Sensors to Detect Presence of Estrogenic Compounds

A team of researchers from the University of Illinois has developed fluorescing sensors that detect compounds interacting with estrogen receptors present in the human cells. The sensors are capable of identifying human-made or natural substances that modify estrogenic signaling. A paper has been published in Biotechnology and Bioengineering, a scientific journal.

Estrogen is known to occur naturally in the human body as 17-beta-estradiol and is present in various plants, microbial byproducts, industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Its function is to activate/block the estrogen receptors activation in the human cells.

A professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Illinois, Dr Huimin Zhao stated that certain estrogenic compounds present in the environment could be dangerous to health. The professor explained that the estrogen receptors are vital in biological processes such as bone growth, metabolism, cell differentiation and reproduction, while upon reaction with certain compounds, it can stimulate the growth of cancerous cells.

A portion of the estrogen receptor was used by the researchers in the design of the sensors. The region of the receptor, which is known to bind to estrogenic compounds, was combined with two halves of a particular fluorescent protein, which upon reaction with the estrogenic compound leads the halves to reunite resulting in fluorescence.

After conducting a series of trials, two reliable sensors, viz., sensor 2 and sensor 6 were identified as reliable indicators. Upon incubation in human cells, the researchers noted that the sensors reacted to the estrogenic compounds, allowing them to detect at even nanomolar levels. The identified sensors will allow clinicians and researchers to quickly determine if a chemical, drug or food is interacting with the estrogen receptors present in the human cells.