ABSTRACT
This chapter presents experimental evidence for the above conclusion and results of recent work addressing the question of the possible mechanism by which treatment with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) evokes those simultaneous pleiotropic changes in the hepatocyte plasma membrane. The important question is how a single administration of TCDD causes such simultaneous changes in cell surface membrane proteins. The chapter summarizes the author's work concerning TCDD's effects on hepatic plasma membrane associated proteins. Preliminary data from this laboratory show that reduction in epidermal growth factor receptor activity by TCDD occurs only in mice strains which have the specific cytosolic receptor for TCDD. TCDD has been shown to be a promoter of both the skin and liver tumors, while TPA is known as a promoter of skin tumors only. Dermal application of TCDD does not cause necrotic skin damage such as that caused by TPA.
