Role of AHR, AHRR and ARNT in response to dioxin-like PCBs in Spaurus aurata

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2014 Dec;21(24):14226-31. doi: 10.1007/s11356-014-3321-x. Epub 2014 Jul 26.

Abstract

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) mediates a variety of biological responses to ubiquitous dioxin and PCB dioxin-like. AHR together with ARNT, AHRR, represent a novel basic helix-loop-helix/PAS family of transcriptional regulators. Their interplay may affect the xenobiotic response. The aim of this study was to investigate, by histological, immunohistochemical investigations and western-blot analysis, the expression of AHR, ARNT and AHRR in liver of seabrem (Spaurus aurata) after exposure at different time to dioxin-like PCB126 in order to deep the knowledge about their specific role. The findings showed a significant increase of AHR and ARNT expression in juvenile fishes after 12 h than control group. The induction of AHR and ARNT is also significant at 24 and 72 hours compared to the control group. Furthemore, induction of AHRR expression has proved to increase both 12 h but this induction does not seem significant to 24 and 72 hours. The most important data of this work is that the induction of AHRR, when the action of the toxic persistence substances, as dioxin and PCB-126, it is not enough to reduce AHR signaling and thus its hyperactivation leads to toxic effects in seabrem (Spaurus aurata). All this confirms the importance of AHR ligands as new class of drugs that can be directed against severe disease such as cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator / genetics
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator / metabolism*
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Ligands
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / pharmacokinetics
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / toxicity*
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / genetics
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon / metabolism*
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sea Bream / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / pharmacokinetics
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity*

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • Ligands
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls
  • 3,4,5,3',4'-pentachlorobiphenyl