The arylhydrocarbon receptor repressor (AhRR): structure, expression, and function

Biol Chem. 2006 Sep;387(9):1195-9. doi: 10.1515/BC.2006.147.

Abstract

The arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway is known to be critical for cellular events, especially for those evoked by several environmental chemicals such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Whereas the function of the AhR in TCDD toxicity is well analyzed, the importance of the recently cloned AhRR in the TCDD-stimulated AhR signaling cascade is still unclear. In mammalian tissues, the AhRR gene seems to be ubiquitously expressed and its expression is altered by various AhR ligands. Basal and induced AhRR mRNA levels were found to be highly cell-, tissue- and species-specific. An inhibitory activity of the AhRR on AhR signaling was proposed from overexpression studies. However, there are not sufficient data showing such functional activity of the AhRR in vivo. This short overview summarizes the present knowledge about the AhRR and should stimulate research in the AhRR field to elucidate its physiological function and its toxicological importance in dioxin toxicity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Humans
  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / pharmacology
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / drug effects
  • Polymorphism, Genetic / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / physiology
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / drug effects
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / genetics
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / physiology
  • Repressor Proteins / drug effects
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon
  • Repressor Proteins