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: Nuclear receptor; DNA-binding; Transcription factor
Cellular Component: nucleoplasm; transcription factor complex; cytoplasm; nucleus; cytosol
Molecular Function: protein dimerization activity; RNA polymerase II transcription factor activity, enhancer binding; protein binding; ligand-dependent nuclear receptor activity; signal transducer activity; DNA binding; protein heterodimerization activity; sequence-specific DNA binding; Hsp90 protein binding; aryl hydrocarbon receptor activity; transcription factor binding; transcription factor activity
Biological Process: prostate gland development; transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; gland development; positive regulation of cell size; blood circulation; positive regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; response to toxin; cell morphogenesis; rhythmic process; negative regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; signal transduction; response to organic cyclic substance; smooth muscle development; ovarian follicle development; B cell homeostasis; regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; post-embryonic hemopoiesis; regulation of blood pressure; response to stress; T cell homeostasis; regulation of B cell proliferation; circadian regulation of gene expression; regulation of blood vessel size; positive regulation of transcriptional preinitiation complex assembly; positive regulation of growth; spleen development; blood vessel development; intracellular receptor-mediated signaling pathway; camera-type eye development; transcription, DNA-dependent; embryonic hemopoiesis; immune system process; negative regulation of systemic arterial blood pressure; B-1 B cell homeostasis; liver development; cell cycle; negative regulation of vasoconstriction; regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; patterning of blood vessels; response to xenobiotic stimulus; regulation of gene expression; xenobiotic metabolic process; B cell differentiation; blood vessel morphogenesis; blood vessel remodeling; negative regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; lymphocyte homeostasis; reproductive structure development
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