PUBLICATION

AHR Activation Inhibits Regenerative Growth

Authors
Mathew, L.K., Andreasen, E.A., and Tanguay, R.L.
ID
ZDB-PUB-051012-20
Date
2006
Source
Molecular pharmacology   69(1): 257-265 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Andreasen, Eric A., Mathew, Lijoy K., Tanguay, Robyn L.
Keywords
Molecular dynamics, Immunocytochemistry, In situ hybridization, Ah receptor, Toxicant-induced gene express, Antisense
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA Primers
  • Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/agonists*
  • Regeneration/drug effects*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Zebrafish/growth & development
  • Zebrafish/physiology*
PubMed
16214955 Full text @ Mol. Pharmacol.
CTD
16214955
Abstract
There is considerable literature supporting the conclusion that inappropriate activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) alters cellular signaling. We have previously established that fin regeneration is specifically inhibited by TCDD in adult zebrafish and have used this in vivo end point to evaluate interactions between AHR and growth controlling pathways. Because there are experimental limitations in studying regeneration in adult animals, we have developed a larval model to evaluate the effect of AHR activation on tissue regeneration. Two day old zebrafish regenerate their amputated caudal fins within 3 days. Here we demonstrate that TCDD specifically blocks regenerative growth in larvae. The AHR pathway in zebrafish is considerably more complex than in mammals, with at least three zebrafish AHR genes (zfAHR1a, zfAHR1b and zfAHR2), and two ARNT genes (zfARNT1 and zfARNT2). Although it was presumed that the block in regeneration was mediated by AHR activation, it had not been experimentally demonstrated. Using antisense morpholinos and mutant fish lines, we report that zfAHR2 and zfARNT1 are the in vivo dimerization partners that are required for inhibition of regeneration by TCDD. Several pathways including FGF signaling are essential for fin regeneration. Even though impaired FGF signaling and TCDD exposure both inhibit fin regeneration, their morphometric response are distinct suggesting that the mechanisms of impairment are different. With the plethora of molecular and genetic techniques that can be applied to larval stage embryos, this in vivo regeneration system can be further exploited to understand cross talk between AHR and other signaling pathways.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping