Ligand-dependent and -independent degradation of the human aryl hydrocarbon receptor (hAHR) in cell culture models.

Studies have shown that zebrafish and rodent aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHRs) are degraded following ligand exposure and that reductions in AHR protein can impact growth and development in vivo. The current study was designed to evaluate the degradation of the AHR in seven human cell lines that were derived from various carcinomas or from normal tissue. Consistent with studies in other species, the results show that the human AHR (hAHR) is degraded in a ligand dependent manner following exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin for up to 16h.