The intersection between the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)- and retinoic acid-signaling pathways.
Data from a variety of animal and cell culture model systems have demonstrated an interaction between the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)- and retinoic acid (RA)-signaling pathways. The AhR(1) was originally identified as the receptor for the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon family of environmental contaminants; however, recent data indicate that the AhR binds to a variety of endogenous and exogenous compounds, including some synthetic retinoids. In addition, activation of the AhR pathway alters the function of nuclear hormone-signaling pathways, including the estrogen, thyroid, and RA pathways. Activation of the AhR pathway through exposure to environmental compounds results in significant changes in RA synthesis, catabolism, transport, and excretion. Some effects on retinoid homeostasis mediated by the AhR pathway may result from the interactions of these two pathways at the level of activating or repressing the expression of specific genes. This chapter will review these two pathways, the evidence demonstrating a link between them, and the data indicating the molecular basis of the interactions between these two pathways.
Murphy
Kyle A
KA
Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA.
Quadro
Loredana
L
White
Lori A
LA
D000818:Animals; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
D018336:Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon; D018168:Receptors, Retinoic Acid; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014212:Tretinoin