title: Subcellular localization of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor is modulated by the immunophilin homolog hepatitis B virus X-associated protein 2.
abstract: The hepatitis B virus X-associated protein 2 (XAP2) is an immunophilin homolog and core component of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Immunophilins are components of many steroid receptor complexes, serving a largely unknown function. Transiently expressed AhR.YFP (yellow fluorescent protein) localized to the nuclei of COS-1 and NIH-3T3 cells. Co-expression of AhR.YFP with XAP2 restored cytoplasmic localization, which was reversed by 2,3,7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin treatment (TCDD). The effect of XAP2 on AhR localization was specific involving a nuclear localization signal-mediated pathway. Examination of the ratio of AhR to XAP2 in the AhR complex revealed that approximately 25% of transiently expressed AhR was associated with XAP2, in contrast with approximately 100% when the AhR and XAP2 were co-expressed. Strikingly, TCDD did not influence these ratios, suggesting that ligand binding initiates nuclear translocation prior to complex dissociation. Analysis of endogenous AhR in Hepa-1 cells revealed that approximately 40% of the AhR complex was associated with XAP2, predicting observed AhR localization to cytoplasm and nuclei. This study reveals a novel functional role for the immunophilin-like component of a soluble receptor complex and provides new insight into the mechanism of AhR-mediated signal transduction, demonstrating the existence of two structurally distinct and possibly functionally unique forms of the AhR.
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis and the Department of Veterinary Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Petrulis
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Hord
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Perdew
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D019556:COS Cells; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D051379:Mice; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000378:metabolism*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013347:Subcellular Fractions / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C103265:aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein