The aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor is involved in the induction of several enzymes that participate in xenobiotic metabolism. The ligand-free, cytosolic form of the Ah receptor is complexed to heat shock protein 90. Binding of ligand, which includes dioxin and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, results in translocation of the ligand-binding subunit only to the nucleus. Induction of enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolism occurs through binding of the ligand-bound Ah receptor to xenobiotic responsive elements in the promoters of genes for these enzymes. This gene encodes a protein that forms a complex with the ligand-bound Ah receptor, and is required for receptor function. The encoded protein has also been identified as the beta subunit of a heterodimeric transcription factor, hypoxia-inducible factor 1. A t(1;12)(q21;p13) translocation, which results in a TEL-ARNT fusion protein, is associated with acute myeloblastic leukemia. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants.

HUMAN

2-8°C (short-term); -20°C (long-term)