Cell experiment:

Mouse hepatoma (H1L1.1c2) cells (1.5 × 105 cells/well) are cultured in 96-well culture plates, and samples (1,4-Chrysenequinone) dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide are added to the medium to achieve a final solvent concentration of 1%. After the plates are incubated at 37℃ in 5% CO2 for 24 h, the cell viability is confirmed under a microscope. Subsequently, the medium is removed, and the cells are lysed. Adding luciferin as the substrate, the luciferase activity is determined under a luminometer and reported as relative light units. The concentrations producing luciferase activity equal to 25% of the maximal response to TCDD are calculated and also referred to as the ECTCDD25. The ratios of the ECTCDD25 of B[a]P to the ECTCDD25 of each of the compounds are calculated and referred to as IEFs[1].

1,4-Chrysenequinone (Chrysene-1,4-dione), a polycyclic aromatic quinone, acts as an activator of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR).

1,4-Chrysenequinone shows significant AhR ligand activity, with ECTCDD25s (concentration equivalent with 25% of TCDD max) of 9.7 nM and 1.9 μM in yeast and mouse hepatoma cell systems, respectively[1].

[1]. Misaki K, et al. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand activity of polycyclic aromatic ketones and polycyclic aromatic quinones. Environ Toxicol Chem. 2007 Jul;26(7):1370-9.