Abstract
Bisphenol A [BPA, 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane] is one of the most prevalent synthetic environmental estrogens; as an endocrine disruptor, it is associated with endocrine-related cancers including breast, ovarian, and prostate. However, the mechanisms by which BPA contributes to carcinogenesis are unclear. This study aims to clarify its toxic effects on mitotic cells and investigate the molecular mechanism. In vitro effects of BPA on mitotic progression were examined by performing experiments on HeLa cells. Proteins involved in mitotic processes were detected by Western blot, live cell imaging, and immunofluorescence staining. The results showed that BPA increased chromosomal instability by perturbing mitotic processes such as bipolar spindle formation and spindle microtubule attachment to the kinetochore. BPA prolonged mitotic progression by disturbing spindle attachment and concomitant activating spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC). Mechanistically, BPA interfered proper localization of HURP to the proximal ends of spindle microtubules, Kif2a to the minus ends of spindle microtubules, and TPX2 on the mitotic spindle. This mislocalization of microtubule associated proteins (MAPs) is postulated to lead to spindle attachment failure. Furthermore, BPA caused multipolar spindle by inducing centriole overduplication and premature disengagement. Although BPA acts as an estrogen receptor (ER) agonist, mitotic defects caused by BPA occurred in an ER-independent manner. Our findings indicate that BPA may stimulate carcinogenesis not only by acting as an endocrine disruptor but also by increasing chromosomal instability during mitosis.