Question

Dioxin is a by-product of various industrial chemical processes. It is suspected of causing cancer and birth defects in both humans and other animals. Apparently, it acts by entering cells and binding to proteins, altering the pattern of gene expression. Therefore, it is reasonable to propose that dioxin acts by mimicking _____.

Answer 1

Answer:

The natural ligand of the cytosolic Aryl hydrocarbon receptor which is still not known.

Explanation:

Dioxin is formed during some industrial chemical processes. It is considered harmful because it causes cancer, weakens the immune system, results in nervous breakdown and also affects reproduction.

The mechanism of operation of Dioxins has not been fully understood. However, it is known that dioxins works through a receptor known as the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor. This receptor is useful in gene expression and also acts as a transcription factor.

Answer 2

Answer:

The answer to the given question is: dioxin acts by mimicking the role of transcription factors.

Explanation:

Dioxin acts by mimicking the action of regulatory proteins that influence the binding of RNA polymerase to a promoter.

Transcription occurs in the three steps—initiation, elongation, and termination. Transcription factors are proteins that controls the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to messenger RNA, by binding to a specific DNA sequence. Transcription factors are directly involved in regulating gene expression.

Transcription factors are a very diverse family of proteins and generally function in multi-subunit protein complexes.

Dioxins are unwanted by-products of a wide range of manufacturing processes that are harmful to health. They can cause problems with reproduction, development, and the immune system. They can also disrupt hormones and lead to cancer.

Dioxins have no common uses. They are manufactured on a small scale for chemical and toxicological research.

Dioxins are absorbed into the human body through the digestive and respiratory tracts or through skin contact. They are then distributed throughout the body. Once dioxins enter the body, they last a long time because of their chemical stability and their ability to be absorbed by fat tissue.

The highest levels of dioxins are found in some soils, consumer products such as; cigarettes, pesticides, and herbicides,  sediments and food, especially fatty foods such as meat, poultry, seafood, milk, egg and their products.