How a cell protein (AHR) responds to pollution chemicals
INVESTIGATING ARYL HYDROCARBON RECEPTOR-COFACTOR INTERACTIONS THAT MEDIATE TOXICITY
This work looks at how pollution chemicals like dioxins and PAHs change a cell protein called AHR and how that can lead to harm for people exposed to these chemicals.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11222666 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine are studying how the AHR protein teams up with other helper proteins and binds DNA when exposed to dioxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). They use laboratory experiments with cells and biochemical assays (including DNA-binding and cofactor interaction tests) to see which genes are switched on by different chemicals. The team compares different chemical “ligands” to learn how each one changes AHR’s partners and the resulting cell responses. The work aims to map pathways that could explain toxic effects like tissue atrophy and cancer risk from environmental exposures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with known or suspected high exposure to dioxins or PAHs, or those with health problems linked to such exposures, would be most relevant for related follow-up studies or sample donation.
Not a fit: People without exposure to these industrial pollutants or with unrelated medical conditions are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help predict, prevent, or guide treatments for health harms caused by exposure to dioxins and related pollutants.
How similar studies have performed: The work builds on well-established AHR biology but explores new cofactor interactions and nonstandard DNA binding, so parts are established while other aspects are novel.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gorelick, Daniel — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Gorelick, Daniel
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.