The aromatic hydrocarbon receptor, transcription, and endocrine aspects of dioxin action.
The widespread and persistent environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin elicits adaptive and adverse biological responses by inducing changes in gene transcription. Some of dioxin's effects reflect disruption of endocrine homeostasis. The aromatic hydrocarbon receptor protein, together with its heterodimerization partner, the aromatic hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator protein, mediates dioxin action. There are notable similarities between the mechanism of dioxin action and the mechanisms of steroid/retinoid/thyroid hormone action. Studies of dioxin action may provide insights into the regulation of hormone-responsive genes and endocrine physiology.
Okino
S T
ST
Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305, USA.
Whitlock
J P
JP
D000818:Animals; D051784:Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D018257:Helix-Loop-Helix Motifs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011634:Public Health; D051381:Rats; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000502:physiology*; D013723:Teratogens / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology
C497396:ARNT protein, human; C497398:ARNT protein, rat; C497397:Arnt protein, mouse; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; D013723:Teratogens; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051784:Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator; D019363:Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1