Identifying human in vitro cell models to assess the ability of modulated aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression to influence functional outcomes
Year: 2006
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in xenobiotic metabolism as well as physiological and developmental processes. It is found in virtually ail vertebrate tissues, although expression and activity vary widely. Similarly, AHR levels are modulated in some tumours compared to healthy surrounding tissue. Since the relationship between AHR expression level and AHR function remains poorly understood, we sought to develop human in vitro models to clarify this interaction. Two experimental approaches were employed determining the impact of AHR levels on AHR-regulated functions: (1) Comparison of wildtype MCF-7 human breast cancer cells with their AHR-deficient variant, AH 100 cells; and (2) Creation of an inducible human AHR expression vector, pEGSH-AHR, using Statagene's Compiete ControlRTM dual-vector system. Our results show AHR level can influence induction of target genes and cell proliferation. AHR expressed from pEGSH-AHR was inducible, and able to bind ligand and drive reporter plasmid gene expression.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Carpenter, Erin
Institution: University of Toronto
Language: English
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7132873170