Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) is an
endocrine-disrupting chemical. Sertoli cells (SCs) provide physical and
nutritional support for developing germ cells. Dysfunction in SCs has adverse effects on spermatogenesis. Previously, we found that the lactational exposure of
PCBs (1, 2, and 5 mg/kg
birth weight/day, orally from postnatal days 1 to 20) decreased the
follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and
androgen receptor (AR) expression in SCs of F1 progeny.
Transcription factors initiate and regulate the transcription of genes. DNA methylation plays an important role in epigenetic gene regulation. Hence, this study was aimed to identify the level of
transcription factors regulating FSHR, AR gene expression, and DNA methylation in the promoter of these genes in SCs of both F1 prepuberal and puberal offspring. DNA methylation in the promoter of FSHR and AR genes was examined by
sodium bisulfite conversion technique. The
protein levels of
transcription factors (
steroidogenic factor 1 [SF1],
upstream stimulatory factors 1 and 2, c-fos, c-jun, and
CREB-binding protein) and
enzymes DNA methyltransferases (Dnmt1, Dnmt3ab, Dnmt3l, and
histone deacetylase 1 [HDAC1]) were analyzed by Western blotting. The
transcription factors that regulate the FSHR and AR gene in SCs were decreased in both the PCB-exposed F1 progeny. Methylation was observed in the promoter of FSHR, AR, and SF1. The
protein levels of Dnmt1, Dnmt3ab, Dnmt3l, and HDAC1 were increased in the
PCBs-treated groups. Subsequently, it leads to transcriptional repression of the genes in SCs. Our finding suggests that
PCBs caused epigenetic change in SCs, thereby it impaired SCs function in F1 progeny.