And Now for Something Completely Different: Diversity in Ligand-Dependent Activation of Ah Receptor Responses

Ligand-dependent activation of the Ah receptor (AhR) can result in an extremely diverse spectrum of biological and toxic effects that occur in a ligand-, species- and tissue-specific manner. While the classical mechanism of AhR-dependent signal transduction is directly related to its ability to modulate gene expression, the dramatic diversity in responses observed following AhR activation or inhibition is inconsistent with a single molecular mechanism of AhR action. Recent studies have revealed that key molecular events underlying the AhR signaling pathway are significantly more varied and complex than previously established, and the specificity and diversity in AhR response can be selectively modulated by a variety of factors. Here we describe new insights into the mechanistic diversity in AhR signal transduction that can contribute to ligand-, species- and tissue-specific differences in AhR reponse.