Potent inhibition of tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT) against multiple UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT): A new potential mechanism underlying endocrine disrupting actions

Organotin compounds (OTs) act as potent endocrine disruptors that are often found in polluted food and water. UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) are responsible for termination of multiple endogenous hormones. This study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effects of two tri-submitted OTs tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT), against activities of UGTs. It is revealed that TBT and TPT act as two potent inhibitors for multiple UGTs. UGT1A8 and -2B15 were coinhibited by the two OTs. UGT1A1 and -1A10 were inhibited by TPT, whereas UGT 2B4 and -2B7 were inhibited by TBT. Kinetic analyses further indicated that TBT and TPT are two competitive nanomolar inhibitors of UGT2B15, with K i values of 0.45 and 0.46 μM, respectively. K i values for the other UGTs are determined to be a few micromolars. In addition, the two OTs displayed effective inhibition against UGT2B15 in catalyzing dihydrotestosterone glucuronidation, with IC50 values both in nano-molar range. TPT can additionally inhibit activities of UGT1A1 and -1A10 in estradiol-3-O-glucuronidation, with IC50 values of a few micro-molars. These results indicated that the two OTs can extensively interfere with glucuronidation of endogenous hormones, which may act as a new potential mechanism resulting in endocrine disrupting actions.