biostudies-literatureLille-Langoy RNorges Forskningsr??d15123-15135https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8600679biostudies-literatureUnknown55(22)Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most toxic and bioavailable components found in petroleum and represent a high risk to aquatic organisms. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates the toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-<i>p</i>-dioxin (TCDD) and other planar aromatic hydrocarbons, including certain PAHs. Ahr acts as a xenosensor and modulates the transcription of biotransformation genes in vertebrates, such as cytochrome P450 1A (<i>cyp1a</i>). Atlantic cod (<i>Gadus morhua</i>) possesses two Ahr proteins, Ahr1a and Ahr2a, which diverge in their primary structure, tissue-specific expression, ligand affinities, and transactivation profiles. Here, a luciferase reporter gene assay was used to assess the sensitivity oEnvironmental science & technologySubstituted Two- to Five-Ring Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds Are Potent Agonists of Atlantic Cod (<i>Gadus morhua</i>) Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptors Ahr1a and Ahr2a.PMC8600679267820244564248840229153Lille-Langoy RSydnes MOGoksoyr AJorgensen KBPampanin DMKarlsen OAfalseSubstituted Two- to Five-Ring Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds Are Potent Agonists of Atlantic Cod (<i>Gadus morhua</i>) Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptors Ahr1a and Ahr2a.Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most toxic and bioavailable components found in petroleum and represent a high risk to aquatic organisms. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates the toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-<i>p</i>-dioxin (TCDD) and other planar aromatic hydrocarbons, including certain PAHs. Ahr acts as a xenosensor and modulates the transcription of biotransformation genes in vertebrates, such as cytochrome P450 1A (<i>cyp1a</i>). Atlantic cod (<i>Gadus morhua</i>) possesses two Ahr proteins, Ahr1a and Ahr2a, which diverge in their primary structure, tissue-specific expression, ligand affinities, and transactivation profiles. Here, a luciferase reporter gene assay was used to assess the sensitivity o2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Nov2025-06-01T00:03:04.737Z2025-06-01T00:03:04.737ZS-EPMC86006793473921310.1021/acs.est.1c02946