These compounds form DNA adducts both in vitro and in vivo . The major function of the telomere is to provide stability to chromosomes and protect underlying unique coding sequences from degeneration. Based on these findings, it is logical to think that some of the environmental estrogen-like chemicals may contribute to genomic instability through loss of telomere repeat sequences.
Most cancer cells exhibit telomeric associations.
Whether these effects are the result of a direct interaction of these chemicals at chromosome level or an indirect effect through interaction with nuclear proteins, remains to be examined. The telomeric associations have been implicated to contribute instability in the genome presumably by facilitating homozygosity, translocation, amplification, and other rearrangements. In normal cells, telomere repeats appear to be necessary for chromosome stability, so telomere loss or shortening results in fusion events and chromosome instability. Studies of perturbation in cell cycle coupled with genomic instability would provide insights as to how environmental or ovarian estrogen may produce adverse effects to human health and wild life.