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Eggs in the balance

Nature Genetics volume 28, pages 300–301 (2001)Cite this article

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), found in cigarette smoke and air pollution, interact with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr) to cause reproductive defects. Mice lacking either Ahr or the pro-apoptotic protein Bax have an increased number of primordial follicles, and these mutant oocytes are resistant to PAH toxicity. A new study shows that the Bax promoter contains two core Ahr response elements, which are required for PAH stimulation of Bax promoter activity in oocytes. Thus, the toxic effects of PAH in oocytes are mediated directly by Ahr induction of the Bax pathway.

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  1. Departments of Pathology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, 77030, Texas, USA

    Martin M. Matzuk

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  1. Martin M. Matzuk
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Matzuk, M. Eggs in the balance. Nat Genet 28, 300–301 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/91039

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