PUBLICATION

Dioxin toxicology and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor: Insights from fish and other non-traditional models

Authors
Hahn, M.E.
ID
ZDB-PUB-010918-4
Date
2001
Source
Marine biotechnology (New York, N.Y.)   3: S224-S238 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Hahn, Mark E.
Keywords
dioxins, hypoxia, evolution, gene duplication, Fundulus, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, zebrafish Danio rerio, cell-cycle control, bHLH-PAS proteins, halogenated aromatic-hydrocarbons, teleost Fundulus heteroclitus, tissue-specific expression, nuclear translocator arnt, life stage development, AH receptor
MeSH Terms
none
PubMed
none
Abstract
Fish are established models in biology. Recent Findings suggest that Fish and other nontraditional species also may serve as valuable model systems for understanding receptor-dependent signaling pathways and their interactions with environmental chemicals. Because they are highly sensitive to chlorinated dioxins and related halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, fish are being used to elucidate the role of chemical signaling pathways in the developmental and molecular toxicology of dioxin-like compounds. Much of this work is focused on the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), a ligand-activated, bHLH-PAS transcription factor through which dioxins cause altered gene expression and toxicity. In contrast to mammals, which appear to express a single dioxin-binding AHR, many fish species possess at least two AHR genes. Studies of these two fish AHRs may help to reveal the multiple functions of the single mammalian "AHR," its physiological ligand, and the molecular mechanisms involved in differential sensitivity to dioxin-like compounds. In addition, fish have great potential as models for understanding the in vivo functions and interactions of bHLH-PAS proteins, the evolutionary history of their diversification in vertebrates, and their role in human physiology and disease.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping