Description
6-Formylindolo(3,2-b)carbazole (FICZ) (172922-91-7) is a very potent (Kd= 0.07 nM) endogenous ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR).1,2
Uses
6-Formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole is a tryptophan photoproduct, suppresses pulmonary eosinophilia and Th2-type cytokine production in a mouse model of ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma.
Biochem/physiol Actions
FICZ is a potent high affinity ligand of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which is a ligand-activated transcription factor that activates the expression of aromatic hydrocarbon metabolizing enzyme genes such as the CYP1A1 gene and has also been shown to have multiple additional roles in cell-cycle regulation, development and maturation of many tissues, control of inflammation, and immune response. FICZ is a photoproduct of tryptophan and is believed to be an endogenous AhR ligand. It is extremely potent, with a Kd value of 0.07 nM.
References
[1] A RANNUG. Certain photooxidized derivatives of tryptophan bind with very high affinity to the Ah receptor and are likely to be endogenous signal substances.[J]. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 1987, 262 32: 15422-15427.
[2] EMMA WINCENT. The suggested physiologic aryl hydrocarbon receptor activator and cytochrome P4501 substrate 6-formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole is present in humans.[J]. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2009: 2690-2696. DOI:
10.1074/jbc.m808321200