Structure-induction versus structure-toxicity relationships for polychlorinated biphenyls and related aromatic hydrocarbons.

A comparison of the structure-induction (involving rat and mouse Ah receptor binding) and structure-toxicity (in vivo guinea pig toxicity) relationships suggests that two receptors with structurally distinct binding properties may be involved. This is supported by demonstration of potentiated toxicity through a mechanism believed to involve the Ah receptor as a site of loss with respect to toxicity. Theoretical and working models are proposed for these separate receptors to aid in the search for other relevant binding proteins. The findings suggest that polychlorinated biphenyls that are relatively low in toxicity may have modulating properties on the action of highly toxic compounds with which they are normally found in the environment.