The aryl hydrocarbon receptor system
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Robert Barouki
,
Martine Aggerbeck
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) recognizes a large number of xenobiotics, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and dioxins, and it activates several metabolic and detoxification pathways. Recent evidence suggests that this receptor also has important endogenous functions subsequent to activation by natural dietary compounds and/or endogenous metabolites. This receptor, thus, has physiological functions that extend beyond specific instances of detoxification. Understanding the roles played by this receptor might be enhanced by a systems biology approach. Indeed, the AhR “ligandome” is very complex and the different classes of ligands involved could induce widely diverse effects. The protein “interactome” of the AhR comprises several tens of proteins and it is altered by the binding of ligands to the receptor. Furthermore, large-scale studies have shown cell and tissue-specific patterns of regulated gene expression which may depend upon the type of ligand, although these aspects need further substantiation. Finally, the AhR biological effects are extensive and include detoxification, cellular proliferation and migration, immune regulation and neuronal effects. A holistic approach should provide a better understanding of the biology of this receptor in addition to providing new avenues for the identification of specific toxicity mechanisms.
©2012 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston
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- Masthead
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Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial
- Cytochrome P450 enzymes
- Reviews
- The aryl hydrocarbon receptor system
- Herb-drug interactions with Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza): a review on the role of cytochrome P450 enzymes
- Pharmacokinetic interactions of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors with other commonly prescribed drugs in the era of pharmacogenomics
- Original Articles
- Effects of CYP2D6*10, CYP3A5*3, CYP1A2*1F, and ABCB1 C3435T polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of flecainide in healthy Chinese subjects
- Analysis of the molecular interactions and complexation of chloroquine with bovine serum albumin
- The microstructure of DNA-egg yolk phosphatidylcholine-gemini surfactants complexes: effect of the spacer length
- Meeting Reports
- Report from the European Society of Pharmacogenomics and Theranostics (ESPT) Inaugural Symposium 2011 in Bled
- Pharmacogenetics in Latin American populations: regulatory aspects, application to herbal medicine, cardiovascular and psychiatric disorders
- Masthead
- Masthead
