Androgen Receptor: An Overview

Abstract

The action of androgens in regulating development and growth is mediated by androgen receptor (AR). AR is a member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily, a class of receptors that function through their ability to regulate the transcription of specific genes. The AR is located in various target tissues, with its levels and activity altered with the onset of various cellular events (e.g., sexual development, malignant transformation). The modulation of AR levels occurs through a number of mechanisms, including transcription, and is regulated by various factors (e.g., androgens). The ability of AR to modulate gene transcription is through its interaction with specific DNA sequences located near or within the target gene promoter. The importance of the AR in reproductive physiology has been emphasized by the finding of AR mutations, leading to a variety of disorders, including testicular feminization syndrome. In this article, we review the structure and function of AR and the role AR plays in the function of the mammalian system.

Functional Domain and Motif Analyses of Androgen Receptor Coregulator ARA70 and Its Differential Expression in Prostate Cancer

“…Although several studies have revealed how SRs can recognize and interact with their hormone response elements (3,4), the mechanism of how SRs activate target gene expression is not fully understood. Ligand-unbound SRs have been found in the cytosol associated with heat shock proteins (HSPs), including HSP90, HSP70, and HSP56 (5-7).…”

Complex regulation of human androgen receptor expression by Wnt signaling in prostate cancer cells

“…As in normal prostate cells, androgen action in PCa cells is mediated by a nuclear receptor protein, the human androgen receptor (hAR) that binds androgenic ligands, enters the nucleus and stimulates the transcription of genes having cis-acting androgen response elements within their promoter or regulatory regions (Chang et al, 1995). Androgen depletion, induced by hormonal therapies used to treat advanced PCa patients, transiently suppress disease progression.…”

Androgen Receptor Promotes the Oncogenic Function of Overexpressed Jagged1 in Prostate Cancer by Enhancing Cyclin B1 Expression via Akt Phosphorylation

“…29,30). LNCaP cells were transfected with the luciferase reporter constructs, and the Renilla luciferase expression construct was used as a control.…”