# A core transcription factor complex of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS · 2021 · $179,375

## Abstract

The objective of this project is to investigate a core transcription factor (TF) complex of the AHR (aryl
hydrocarbon receptor) that we discovered by analysis of high-content Chromatin Immunoprecipitation-DNA
Sequence (ChIP-Seq) data of the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) project, a public research project
to identify all functional elements in the human genome. In this project we will validate this complex, determine
its physical organization and function, and evaluate whether this complex is conserved across cells and
species. The AHR is best known as a ligand-activated transcription factor (TF) with important roles in the
toxicity of dioxin-like compounds (DLCs) including cancer, birth defects and immunosuppression, and the
regulation of enzymes such as the cytochrome P450 family 1 members that can activate procarcinogens.
Moreover, recent studies demonstrate key roles of the AHR in the regulation of cell homeostasis,
differentiation, aging and cancer. In this exploratory project we propose two specific aims: Aim 1. Validate the
core TF complex of the AHR and determine its function and conservation across cells and species. Aim 2.
Elucidate the regulatory mechanisms and biological functions of the core TF complex of the AHR. Together,
these proposed studies should markedly improve the fundamental knowledge of the mechanisms impacting
AHR-regulated transcription towards the long-term goal of understanding how this receptor contributes to
important cellular processes in health and disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10218975
- **Project number:** 1R21ES032038-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
- **Principal Investigator:** THOMAS R SUTTER
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $179,375
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-04-16 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10218975

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10218975, A core transcription factor complex of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (1R21ES032038-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10218975. Licensed CC0.

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