Regulation of dioxin receptor function by different beta-carboline alkaloids.

The dioxin receptor, also known as arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR), is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates the toxicity of dioxins and related environmental contaminants. In addition, there is a growing list of natural compounds, mainly plant polyphenols that can modulate AhR function and downstream signaling with quite unknown consequences for cellular function. We investigate the potential of four different beta-carboline alkaloids to stimulate AhR signaling in human hepatoma cells and keratinocytes.