Abstract

Studies using transient expression systems have implicated the hepatitis B virus X-associated protein (XAP2) in the control of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) stability and subcellular location. Studies were performed in Hepa-1 cells to evaluate these functions of XAP2 on the mouse Ah^b-1 receptor under endogenous stoichiometry. The Ah^b-1 receptor is cytoplasmic, and it becomes predominantly nuclear after 30 to 60 min of ligand exposure with minimal degradation. During this time, XAP2 coprecipitates with the AHR, suggesting that it does not affect the nuclear localization of the liganded receptor. Overexpression of XAP2 in Hepa-1 cells does not result in increased association with the endogenous Ah^b-1 complex or influence the receptors cytoplasmic localization. Knockdown of endogenous XAP2 by small interfering RNA results in ≥90% reduction in the amount of XAP2 associated with the endogenous Ah^b-1 receptor complex. Despite the reduction in XAP2, the unliganded Ah^b-1 receptor complex remains cytoplasmic, although inhibition of nuclear export results in accumulation of the receptor in the nucleus. Truncation of the C-terminal 305 amino acids of the Ah^b-1 receptor (AHR₅₀₀) results in proteins that exhibit a predominantly nuclear localization and remain associated with the same level of endogenous XAP2 as full-length AHRs. Together, these results support a model in which the majority of the unliganded Ah^b-1 receptor complexes are associated with XAP2, and the association prevents dynamic nucleocytoplasmic shuttling in the unliganded state. After ligand binding, XAP2 remains associated with the Ah^b-1 receptor complex, and it does not impair nuclear translocation but may function to limit receptor “transformation”.