AHR siRNA – Receptor (Rat)

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: DNA-binding; Nuclear receptor; Transcription factor

Cellular Component: nucleoplasm; cytoplasm; cytosol; nucleus

Molecular Function: RNA polymerase II transcription factor activity, enhancer binding; protein dimerization activity; signal transducer activity; protein binding; ligand-dependent nuclear receptor 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: transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; prostate gland development; gland development; positive regulation of cell size; apoptosis; blood circulation; response to toxin; positive regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; cell morphogenesis; negative regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; response to organic cyclic substance; response to estradiol stimulus; smooth muscle development; ovarian follicle development; regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; B cell homeostasis; post-embryonic hemopoiesis; 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; camera-type eye development; intracellular receptor-mediated signaling pathway; immune system process; embryonic hemopoiesis; negative regulation of systemic arterial blood pressure; liver development; negative regulation of vasoconstriction; regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; patterning of blood vessels; response to xenobiotic stimulus; regulation of gene expression; blood vessel morphogenesis; positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; blood vessel remodeling; negative regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; reproductive structure development; lymphocyte homeostasis