[Intracellular receptors of polyaromatic hydrocarbons]

Molecular aspects of the expression of genes responsible for coding the proteins which participate in the oxidative metabolism of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) have been discussed. Particular attention has been paid to the expression of the gene for the intracellular PAH-binding AHR protein receptor. Possible relationship between genetically-conditioned polymorphism of PAH oxidative metabolism and individual susceptibility to lung cancer has been presented. Methods for assessment of the affinity of AHR protein to PAH which make it possible to assess human susceptibility to carcinogens have been reviewed.