Bisphenol-A (BPA) Impairs Hippocampal Neurogenesis via Inhibiting Regulation of the Ubiquitin Proteasomal System

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) controls protein homeostasis to maintain cell functionality and survival. Neurogenesis relies on proteasome function, and a defective proteasome system during brain development leads to neurological disorders. An endocrine-disrupting xenoestrogen bisphenol-A (BPA) used in plastic products adversely affects human health and causes neurotoxicity. Previously, we reported that BPA reduces neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferation and differentiation, impairs myelination and mitochondrial protein import, and causes excessive mitochondrial fragmentation leading to cognitive impairments in rats. Herein, we examined the effect(s) of prenatal BPA exposure on UPS functions during NSCs proliferation and differentiation in the hippocampus. Rats were orally treated with 40 mu g/kg body weight BPA during day 6 gestation to day 21 postnatal. BPA significantly reduced proteasome activity in a cellular extract of NSCs. Immunocytochemistry exhibited a significant reduction of 20S proteasome/Nestin(+) and PSMB5/Nestin(+) cells in NSCs culture. BPA decreased 20S/Tuj1(+) and PSMB5/Tuj1(+) cells, indicating disrupted UPS during neuronal differentiation. BPA reduced the expression of UPS genes, 20S, and PSMB5 protein levels and proteasome activity in the hippocampus. It significantly reduced overall protein synthesis by the loss of Nissl substances in the hippocampus. Pharmacological activation of UPS by a bioactive triterpenoid 18 alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid (18 alpha GA) caused increased proteasome activities, significantly increased neurosphere size and number, and enhanced NSCs proliferation in BPA exposed culture, while proteasome inhibition by MG132 further aggravates BPA-mediated effects. In silico studies demonstrated that BPA strongly binds to catalytic sites of UPS genes (PSMB5, TRIM11, Parkin, and PSMD4) which may result in UPS inactivation. These results suggest that BPA significantly reduces NSCs proliferation by impairing UPS, and UPS activation by 18 alpha GA could suppress BPA-mediated neurotoxicity and exerts neuroprotection.

Automated summary

This study found that bisphenol-A (BPA) negatively affects the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells, leading to neurological disorders during brain development. BPA impairs the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) by reducing its activity in neural stem cells, resulting in disrupted neuronal differentiation. However, UPS activation with a bioactive triterpenoid 18 alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid (18 alpha GA) can alleviate BPA-induced neurotoxicity and provide neuroprotection.