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Review
. 2022 Nov 29;23(23):14919.
doi: 10.3390/ijms232314919.

From Nucleus to Organs: Insights of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Molecular Mechanisms

Claudia M Rejano-Gordillo  1   2 , Beatriz Marín-Díaz  1   2 , Ana Ordiales-Talavero  1   2 , Jaime M Merino  1   2 , Francisco J González-Rico  1   2 , Pedro M Fernández-Salguero  1   2
Affiliations
Review

From Nucleus to Organs: Insights of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Molecular Mechanisms

Claudia M Rejano-Gordillo et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a markedly established regulator of a plethora of cellular and molecular processes. Its initial role in the detoxification of xenobiotic compounds has been partially overshadowed by its involvement in homeostatic and organ physiology processes. In fact, the discovery of its ability to bind specific target regulatory sequences has allowed for the understanding of how AHR modulates such processes. Thereby, AHR presents functions in transcriptional regulation, chromatin architecture modifications and participation in different key signaling pathways. Interestingly, such fields of influence end up affecting organ and tissue homeostasis, including regenerative response both to endogenous and exogenous stimuli. Therefore, from classical spheres such as canonical transcriptional regulation in embryonic development, cell migration, differentiation or tumor progression to modern approaches in epigenetics, senescence, immune system or microbiome, this review covers all aspects derived from the balance between regulation/deregulation of AHR and its physio-pathological consequences.

Keywords: aryl hydrocarbon receptor; epigenetics; organ homeostasis; signaling pathways.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the review was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Early timeline of AHR research.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Implication of AHR in organ homeostasis regulation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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