Aroclor 1016 (CED0000035)

Aroclor 1016 belongs to the biphenyls and derivatives, a subclass of benzene and substituted derivatives within the organic compounds. This exogenous compound has a formula of C12H7Cl3 and an average molecular weight of 257.54 g/mol. At room temperature, it exists as a liquid. Aroclor 1016 is a commercial mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with an average chlorine content of 41.5%. It consists primarily of trichlorobiphenyls (54.67%) and also contains mono-, bi-, tetra-, and pentachlorinated homologs. PCBs are synthetic organic compounds featuring 1-10 chlorine atoms attached to biphenyl. Although banned in the 1970s due to their tendency to bioaccumulate in the environment and cause harmful health effects, these compounds do not break down readily and persist in the environment. The compound interacts with several protein targets. Binding to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) disrupts cell function by altering gene transcription, specifically inducing hepatic Phase I and Phase II enzymes of the cytochrome P450 family. It causes endocrine disruption by binding to the estrogen receptor (ESR1 and ESR2) or by binding to estrogen sulfotransferase (SULT1E1), which can produce reproductive dysfunction and stimulate the growth of certain cancer cells. Additionally, binding to uteroglobin (SCGB1A1) facilitates bioaccumulation. Inhibition of tyrosine 3-monooxygenase (TH) and aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase (DDC) is believed to decrease dopamine synthesis.