Effects of Neonicotinoids on Promoter-Specific Expression and Activity of Aromatase: Implications for the Development of Hormone-Dependent Breast Cancer

Aromatase (CYP19) is the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of estrogens. In humans, it is expressed in a tissue - - manner. In hormone - breast cancer, CYP19 is overexpressed through the activation several additional promoters (P , I.3 and I.7) that are normally inactive in the healthy mammary gland. In normal mammary gland, low basal CYP19 expression is regulated by the I.4 promoter, which is also active in tissue. Here, we highlight our recent study of the effects o neonicotinoid pesticides on the - expression of CYP19 in various human vitro . We also discuss the implications of disruption by environmental chemicals for the development of hormone - diseases, such as .