Effects of monobutyl phthalate on steroidogenesis through steroidogenic acute regulatory protein regulated by transcription factors in mouse Leydig tumor cells

Objective Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is one of the most widely used phthalate esters, and it is ubiquitous in the environment. DBP and its major metabolite, monobutyl phthalate (MBP), change steroid biosynthesis and impair male reproductive function. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying the steroid biosynthesis disruption by MBP is still unclear. Methods We analyzed the progesterone production, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) mRNA, protein expression, and DNA-binding affinity of transcription factors (SF-1 and GATA-4). Results Our results reveal that MBP inhibited progesterone production. At the same time, StAR mRNA and protein were decreased after MBP exposure. Furthermore, electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that DNA-binding affinity of transcription factors (SF-1 and GATA-4) was decreased in a dose-dependent manner after MBP treatments. Western blot tests next confirmed that protein of SF-1 was decreased, but GATA-4 protein was unchanged. However, phosphorylated GATA-4 protein was decreased with 800 mu M of MBP. Conclusions This study reveals an important and novel mechanism whereby SF-1 and GATA-4 may regulate StAR during MBP-induced steroidogenesis disruption.