Conditional expression of a constitutively active aryl hydrocarbon receptor in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

In addition to inducing transcription of a battery of target genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes, the environmental pollutant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is known to induce antiestrogenic responses. However, the mechanisms underlying such complex biologic responses affecting growth and differentiation remain unclear. In the present study we have investigated biological effects of a constitutively active mutant of the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor (CA-AhR), in particular whether it modulates estrogen receptor function in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. To this end, the CA-AhR protein was conditionally expressed using the tet repressor. Expression of CA-AhR resulted in constitutive formation of a DNA-binding AhR-aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator heterodimeric complex and enhanced expression of the Ah receptor target gene CYP1A1 in the absence of TCDD. Moreover, expression of CA-AhR inhibited estrogen-dependent cathepsin D expression and growth of these cells. Thus, the present model system conditionally expressing the CA-AhR protein provides a novel tool for the investigation of AhR-mediated signaling pathways.