Glyphosate Interaction with eEF1α1 Indicates Altered Protein Synthesis: Evidence for Reduced Spermatogenesis and Cytostatic Effect

Abstract

The broad-spectrum herbicide, glyphosate, is considered safe for animals because it selectively affects the shikimate pathway that is specific to plants and microorganisms. We sought a previously unknown mechanism to explain the concerns that glyphosate exposure can negatively affect animals, including humans. Computer modeling showed a probable interaction between glyphosate and eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 subunit alpha 1 (eEF1α1), which was confirmed by microcalorimetry. Only restricted, nondisrupted spermatogenesis in rats was observed after chronic glyphosate treatments (0.7 and 7 mg/L). Cytostatic and antiproliferative effects of glyphosate in GC-1 and SUP-B15 cells were indicated. Meta-analysis of public health data suggested a possible effect of glyphosate use on sperm count. The in silico , in vitro , and in vivo experimental results as well as the metastatistics indicate side effects of chronic glyphosate exposure. Together, these findings indicate that glyphosate delays protein synthesis through an interaction with eEF1α1, thereby suppressing spermatogenesis and cell growth.

Chronic Dietary Exposure of Roosters to a Glyphosate-Based Herbicide Increases Seminal Plasma Glyphosate and AMPA Concentrations, Alters Sperm Parameters, and Induces Metabolic Disorders in the Progeny

“…It could be interesting to analyse the impact of this change on the next generations (F1, F2, F3), since the most important consequences appear in the F3 generation, which is indirectly exposed to GBHs [38,63]. Moreover, in rats, G had a cytostatic effect and could interact with regulators of the cell cycle, such as eEF1α1, leading to a decrease in cell proliferation and a delay in protein synthesis, with a consequent suppression of spermatogenesis [16]. In the present study, the spermatozoa concentration was not affected, whereas the sperm motility was reduced, and the body weight of the offspring increased.…”

“…In addition, AMPA can also inhibit cell growth and decrease the viability of ovarian SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cell lines [1]. Sopko et al (2021) [16] have recently tested the effects of chronic exposure to G (0.7 and 7 mg/L) for 100 days on spermatogenesis in rats and showed that G was able to interact with the cycle-specific eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 subunit alpha 1 (eEF1α1), leading to protein synthesis delay and spermatogenesis and cell growth suppression [16]. However, our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in cellular responses to G or GBHs needs to be improved.…”

Identification and characterization of molecular entities differentially expressed in bacteria genome upon treatment with glyphosate shock

“…Microbes and plants have EPSPS involved in the shikimate pathway, but vertebrates do not. As a result, glyphosate is regarded to be safe for animals [ 11 ]. There are, however, certain unidentified molecular entities that show bacterial sensitivity to glyphosate shock.…”