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Aryl hydrocarbon receptor/dioxin receptor in human monocytes and macrophages

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Abstract

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) belongs to the bHLH/PAS transcription factor family and is activated by various polycyclic or halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g., 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC). In the present study, we showed that in U937 cells and human macrophages AhR, with its partner cofactor Arnt, is expressed and CYP1A1 mRNA expression is induced in the presence of AhR ligand 3MC. Moreover, we showed that AhR, associating with Arnt, binds to target DNA sequences and activates transcription. Since part of AhR is activated into DNA binding species in the absence of exogenous ligand and competitive AhR antagonist α-naphthoflavone inhibits this activation process with reducing CYP1A1 mRNA expression levels, the presence of endogenous ligand is indicated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Second Department of Internal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical College, Midorigaoka Higashi, Asahikawa, Japan

    Keiji Komura & Isao Makino

  2. Division of Endocrinology, Saitama Cancer Center Research Institute, Ina, Saitama, Japan

    Shin-ichi Hayashi

  3. Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Medical Nobel Institute, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden

    Lorenz Poellinger

  4. Division of Clinical Immunology, Advanced Clinical Research Center, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, [108-8639, Japan

    Hirotoshi Tanaka

Authors
  1. Keiji Komura
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  2. Shin-ichi Hayashi
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  3. Isao Makino
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  4. Lorenz Poellinger
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  5. Hirotoshi Tanaka
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Correspondence to Hirotoshi Tanaka.

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Komura, K., Hayashi, Si., Makino, I. et al. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor/dioxin receptor in human monocytes and macrophages. Mol Cell Biochem 226, 107–117 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012762519424

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