Chemicals and Drugs

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptors

Cytoplasmic proteins that bind certain aryl hydrocarbons, translocate to the nucleus, and activate transcription of particular DNA segments. AH receptors are identified by their high-affinity binding to several carcinogenic or teratogenic environmental chemicals including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in cigarette smoke and smog, heterocyclic amines found in cooked foods, and halogenated hydrocarbons including dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls. No endogenous ligand has been identified, but an unknown natural messenger with a role in cell differentiation and development is suspected.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Cytoplasmic proteins that bind certain aryl hydrocarbons, translocate to the nucleus, and activate transcription of particular DNA segments. AH receptors are identified by their high-affinity binding to several carcinogenic or teratogenic environmental chemicals including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found in cigarette smoke and smog, heterocyclic amines found in cooked foods, and halogenated hydrocarbons including dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls. No endogenous ligand has been identified, but an unknown natural messenger with a role in cell differentiation and development is suspected.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

20 entry terms
  • AH Receptor
  • AH Receptors
  • Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor
  • Dioxin Receptor
  • Dioxin Receptors
  • Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon Receptor
  • Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon Receptors
  • Receptors, 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
  • Receptors, AH
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon
  • Receptors, Dioxin
  • Receptors, Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon
  • Receptors, TCDD
  • TCDD Receptor
  • TCDD Receptors
  • Receptor, AH
  • Receptor, Aryl Hydrocarbon
  • Receptor, Dioxin
  • Receptor, Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon
  • Receptor, TCDD

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

19 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, chemistry, classification, deficiency, drug effects, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, physiology, radiation effects, therapeutic use, ultrastructure.

MeSH Record

History Note

94; was ARYL HYDROCARBON RECEPTOR (NM) 1981-93; 2,3,7,8-TETRACHLORODIBENZO-P-DIOXIN RECEPTOR was (NM) 1979-93

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Receptors, Drug (1979-1993)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D12.776w.260w.643w.715
  2. D12.776w.826w.209w.715
  3. D12.776w.930w.760

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptors. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D018336. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D018336
  2. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptors. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24785734