Aryl hydrocarbon receptor

  • OMIM: 600253
  • UniProt: P35869
  • MGI: 105043

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor ( AhR Ah receptor ) is a protein in the cytosol and nucleus of vertebrate cells, which is a transcription factor involved in the regulation of gene activity. The putative natural (endogenous ) ligand of the receptor is ITE ( Indolylcarboxythiazolcarbonsäuremethylester, see figure).

The tasks of the receptor within the control of cell growth and cellular differentiation. The binding of aromatic hydrocarbons ( hence the name), such as dioxins, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) or components of the cigarette smoke, results in the activation of the receptor. The resulting receptor -ligand complex binds to the DNA in the nucleus and activate, among other things, the production of enzymes of the cytochrome P450 family, which is mainly present in liver cells and is responsible for the degradation of xenobiotics in the liver.

The research of recent years show that the Ah receptor in cancer development ( carcinogenesis ) is involved. He is also responsible for the toxic effects of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs.

Human Genome Organisation Mouse Genome Informatics Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins Digital Object Identifier PubMed Central
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