Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Antibody – Rabbit Polyclonal

The protein encoded by this gene is a ligand-activated helix-loop-helix transcription factor involved in the regulation of biological responses to planar aromatic hydrocarbons. This receptor has been shown to regulate xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes such as cytochrome P450. Before ligand binding, the encoded protein is sequestered in the cytoplasm; upon ligand binding, this protein moves to the nucleus and stimulates transcription of target genes. Two transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2015]

AHR: a nuclear receptor for aryl hydrocarbons involved in xenobiotic metabolism, cell cycle regulation, and development in response to both endogenous and environmental signals. AhR was initially identified as a receptor for dioxins, which are environmental pollutants generated by waste incineration and other industrial processes . AhR ligands include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene and other components of cigarette smoke. Naturally occurring AhR ligands include flavonoids, which are aromatic plant secondary compounds commonly found in vegetables and fruits. Cytoplasmic aryl hydrocarbon receptors are found in protein complexes with heat shock proteins. Upon ligand binding, AhR dissociates from heat shock proteins and translocate to the nucleus where it dimerizes with AhR nuclear translocator (ARNT, HIF-1b). The AhR/ARNT heterodimer binds to nuclear xenobiotic response elements to control the expression of genes associated with xenobiotic metabolism, including several cytochrome P450 genes. AhR is ubiquitously expressed and is thought to play a role in regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, cytokine expression, and xenobiotic metabolism. Research studies link AhR activity with the control of regulatory T-cell and T-helper 17 cell differentiation, regulation of the inflammatory response, and the onset of lung cancer.

Protein type: Transcription factor; DNA-binding; Nuclear receptor

Cellular Component: cytoplasm; cytosol; nucleoplasm; nucleus; transcription factor complex

Molecular Function: aryl hydrocarbon receptor activity; DNA binding; Hsp90 protein binding; ligand-dependent nuclear receptor activity; protein binding; protein dimerization activity; protein heterodimerization activity; RNA polymerase II transcription factor activity, enhancer binding; sequence-specific DNA binding; transcription factor activity; transcription factor binding

Biological Process: B cell differentiation; B cell homeostasis; B-1 B cell homeostasis; blood circulation; blood vessel development; blood vessel morphogenesis; blood vessel remodeling; camera-type eye development; cell cycle; cell morphogenesis; circadian regulation of gene expression; embryonic hemopoiesis; gland development; immune system process; intracellular receptor-mediated signaling pathway; liver development; lymphocyte homeostasis; negative regulation of systemic arterial blood pressure; negative regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; negative regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; negative regulation of vasoconstriction; ovarian follicle development; patterning of blood vessels; positive regulation of cell size; positive regulation of growth rate; positive regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; positive regulation of transcriptional preinitiation complex assembly; post-embryonic hemopoiesis; prostate gland development; regulation of B cell proliferation; regulation of blood pressure; regulation of blood vessel size; regulation of gene expression; regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; reproductive structure development; response to organic cyclic substance; response to stress; response to toxin; response to xenobiotic stimulus; rhythmic process; smooth muscle development; spleen development; T cell homeostasis; transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; transcription, DNA-dependent; xenobiotic metabolic process