Mechanistic aspects--the dioxin (aryl hydrocarbon) receptor.
The Ah receptor mediates the toxicological responses of 2,3,7,8-TCDD and related compounds. Receptor-deficient animals were shown to be resistant to the toxic effects of dioxin, although there is also evidence for the existence of a receptor-independent pathway for dioxin-induced toxicity. In the cytosol the receptor is present in a non-activated ligand binding conformation. Association with Arnt in the nucleus turns the receptor complex into a ligand activated form. The physiological role of the receptor is not yet understood; however, the conservation of the receptor in a wide range of animal species (including humans) suggests a fundamental role in cellular physiology.
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Nobel Institute, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. lorenz.poellinger@cmb.ki.se
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D000818:Animals; D051784:Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004147:Dioxins / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology
C497396:ARNT protein, human; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004147:Dioxins; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; D014157:Transcription Factors; D051784:Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator