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PubMed1986

Assignment of anabolic-androgenic and antiandrogenic properties to some chlorine-substituted steroids on the basis of their binding characteristics to the androgen receptor of the rat seminal vesicle.

In this study we investigated the affinity of several 4-chlorinated and 1-ene derivatives of 17 alpha-methyltestosterone (MT) and 17 alpha-methyl-5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (MDHT) to the androgen receptor, and, additionally, the effect of a few MT-derived steroids on the activity of the 5 alpha-reductase enzyme present in the rat seminal vesicle. From our results we conclude, that delta 1 or/and delta 4 double bonds in ring A counteract the inhibition of receptor-binding caused by chlorine-substitution at C4; the dissociation of myotropic and androgenic effects [= M/A dissociation] of 4-chloro-MT (as compared to MT) is due to its inactivation by 5 alpha-reductase in androgen target organs and/or to the inhibition of the conversion of endogenous testosterone to DHT; the M/A dissociation of 1-ene-MT and 4-chloro-1-ene-MT may be explained by their inability to be activated by 5 alpha-reductase; for the same reason, M/A dissociation can be assigned to the effects of 4 alpha-chloro-1-ene-DHT. We determined the short-term and long-term competition of cyproterone acetate and chlormadinone acetate with [3H]DHT for receptor binding at 0 degrees C and showed, that the complexes formed by these antiandrogens with the androgen receptor have equally reduced stabilities compared to the DHT-receptor complex.

Anabolic Agents↗
PubMed2005

Mutations in the amino-terminal domain of the human androgen receptor may be associated with partial androgen insensitivity and impaired transactivation in vitro.

The majority of genetic variations in the androgen receptor (AR) gene are point mutations leading to impairment of the DNA- or hormone-binding domains. The N-terminus encoded by the first exon of the AR-gene usually harbors disruptive mutations associated with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) while missense mutations related with partial androgen insensitivity syndrome (PAIS) are seemingly rare. We present a 46,XY male with scrotal hypospadias in whom we detected a S432 F point mutation within the N-terminus. Transient transfections of an AR expression plasmid carrying the S432 F mutation using Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells revealed a significant partial reduction in transactivation of the co-transfected androgen responsive (ARE) (2)TATA luciferase reporter gene thus confirming PAIS. In two further 46, XY patients with slight to moderate virilization defects, we detected an S411 N mutation, and a 9 base pair deletion leading to the loss of amino acids 409 to 411 (L-A-S), respectively. These mutations did not compromise AR-function under the chosen experimental settings. The S432 F-patient supports particular significance of the AR-N-terminus for mild forms of AIS while the functional role of the two further mutations remains unclear. The N-terminus is a species-specific AR-domain possibly also involved in contributing to target tissue selectivity of AR-actions via mediating co-regulator interactions. Therefore, mild molecular defects of the AR-N-terminus may not necessarily inhibit general transactivation properties using currently established reporter gene models.

Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome↗
PubMed2002

Proteasome activity is required for androgen receptor transcriptional activity via regulation of androgen receptor nuclear translocation and interaction with coregulators in prostate cancer cells.

Upon binding to androgen, the androgen receptor (AR) can translocate into the nucleus and bind to androgen response element(s) to modulate its target genes. Here we have shown that MG132, a 26 S proteasome inhibitor, suppressed AR transactivation in an androgen-dependent manner in prostate cancer LNCaP and PC-3 cells. In contrast, MG132 showed no suppressive effect on glucocorticoid receptor transactivation. Additionally, transfection of PSMA7, a proteasome subunit, enhanced AR transactivation in a dose-dependent manner. The suppression of AR transactivation by MG132 may then result in the suppression of prostate-specific antigen, a well known marker used to monitor the progress of prostate cancer. Further mechanistic studies indicated that MG132 may suppress AR transactivation via inhibition of AR nuclear translocation and/or inhibition of interactions between AR and its coregulators, such as ARA70 or TIF2. Together, our data suggest that the proteasome system plays important roles in the regulation of AR activity in prostate cancer cells and may provide a unique target site for the development of therapeutic drugs to block androgen/AR-mediated prostate tumor growth.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗
PubMed1997

Molecular analysis of the androgen-receptor gene in a family with receptor-positive partial androgen insensitivity: an unusual type of intronic mutation.

In the coding part and the intron-exon boundaries of the androgen-receptor gene of a patient with partial androgen insensitivity, no mutation was found. The androgen receptor of this patient displayed normal ligand-binding parameters and migrated as a 110-112-kD doublet on SDS-PAGE in the absence of hormone. However, after culturing of the patient's genital skin fibroblasts in the presence of hormone, the slower-migrating 114-kD protein, which reflects hormone-dependent phosphorylation, was hardly detectable. Furthermore, receptor protein was undetectable in the nuclear fraction of the fibroblasts, after treatment with hormone, which is indicative of defective DNA binding. By sequencing part of intron 2, a T-->A mutation was found 11 bp upstream of exon 3. In our screening of 102 chromosomes from unrelated individuals, this base-pair substitution was not found, indicating that it was not a polymorphism. mRNA analysis revealed that splicing involved a cryptic splice site, located 71/70 bp upstream of exon 3, resulting in generation of mRNA with an insert of 69 nucleotides. In addition, a small amount of a transcript with a deleted exon 3 and a very low level of wild-type transcript were detected. Translation of the extended transcript resulted in an androgen-receptor protein with 23 amino acid residues inserted between the two zinc clusters, displaying defective DNA binding and defective transcription activation.

Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Androgen receptor gene mutations identified by SSCP in fourteen subjects with androgen insensitivity syndrome.

The androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is a disorder of male sexual development resulting in a wide range of clinical phenotypes. AIS is classified into two phenotypic forms: complete (CAIS) and partial (PAIS). To determine the molecular basis of the phenotypic diversity in AIS, we have studied 27 subjects (13 CAIS, 14 PAIS), spanning the full range of AIS phenotypes. We report the results of a mutation screen of the androgen receptor gene. The coding regions of the gene were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and screened for single strand conformation polymorphisms to identify mutations. This was followed by DNA sequencing of putative mutant segments. Androgen receptor gene mutations were identified in nine CAIS and five PAIS subjects. Two of the CAIS mutations in exon A resulted in frameshifts. A third CAIS mutation resulted in the deletion of a single amino acid from the ligand binding domain of the receptor. All other mutations caused single amino acid substitutions in the ligand binding domain. These results suggest that mutations affecting the ligand binding domain of the androgen receptor are the most frequent cause of AIS, although some cases of PAIS may be the result of other, as yet undefined, genetic lesions.

Androgens↗
PubMed2006

Loss of endogenous androgen receptor protein accelerates motor neuron degeneration and accentuates androgen insensitivity in a mouse model of X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy.

X-linked spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA; Kennedy's disease) is a polyglutamine (polyQ) disease in which the affected males suffer progressive motor neuron degeneration accompanied by signs of androgen insensitivity, such as gynecomastia and reduced fertility. SBMA is caused by CAG repeat expansions in the androgen receptor (AR) gene resulting in the production of AR protein with an extended glutamine tract. SBMA is one of nine polyQ diseases in which polyQ expansion is believed to impart a toxic gain-of-function effect upon the mutant protein, and initiate a cascade of events that culminate in neurodegeneration. However, whether loss of a disease protein's normal function concomitantly contributes to the neurodegeneration remains unanswered. To address this, we examined the role of normal AR function in SBMA by crossing a highly representative AR YAC transgenic mouse model with 100 glutamines (AR100) and a corresponding control (AR20) onto an AR null (testicular feminization; Tfm) background. Absence of endogenous AR protein in AR100Tfm mice had profound effects upon neuromuscular and endocrine-reproductive features of this SBMA mouse model, as AR100Tfm mice displayed accelerated neurodegeneration and severe androgen insensitivity in comparison to AR100 littermates. Reduction in size and number of androgen-sensitive motor neurons in the spinal cord of AR100Tfm mice underscored the importance of AR action for neuronal health and survival. Promoter-reporter assays confirmed that AR transactivation competence diminishes in a polyQ length-dependent fashion. Our studies indicate that SBMA disease pathogenesis, both in the nervous system and the periphery, involves two simultaneous pathways: gain-of-function misfolded protein toxicity and loss of normal protein function.

Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

A frame-shift mutation in the androgen receptor gene causes complete androgen insensitivity in the testicular-feminized mouse.

The testicular feminized (Tfm) mouse lacks completely androgen responsiveness; and therefore, is unique for studying the role of androgenic steroids in different biological processes. In order to understand the molecular basis of this mutation, 2.8 kilobases of cDNA encoding the Tfm mouse androgen receptor (AR) were amplified with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. No large deletion in the coding region of the Tfm mouse AR was detected. However, sequence analysis revealed a single base deletion in the coding region of the Tfm AR mRNA. This mutation, which is located in the amino-terminus domain of the receptor, is predicted to cause a frame-shift in translation resulting in a premature termination of AR synthesis at amino acid 412. In vitro translation studies of the recombinant wild type and Tfm AR's demonstrated that the Tfm AR cDNA failed to produce a full-length receptor. Furthermore, the Tfm AR was demonstrated to lack transcriptional activation capability by cotransfection experiments using the Tfm AR with a reporter plasmid of mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat linked to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene. These studies provide evidence of the molecular defect which causes androgen insensitivity in the Tfm mouse.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

Anti-epileptic drug phenytoin enhances androgen metabolism and androgen receptor expression in murine hippocampus.

Epilepsy is very often related to strong impairment of neuronal networks, particularly in the hippocampus. Previous studies of brain tissue have demonstrated that long-term administration of the anti-epileptic drug (AED) phenytoin leads to enhanced metabolism of testosterone mediated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms. Thus, we speculate that AEDs affect androgen signalling in the hippocampus. In the present study, we investigated how the AED phenytoin influences the levels of testosterone, 17beta-oestradiol, and androgen receptor (AR) in the hippocampus of male C57Bl/6J mice. Phenytoin administration led to a 61.24% decreased hippocampal testosterone level as compared with controls, while serum levels were slightly enhanced. 17beta-Oestradiol serum level was elevated 2.6-fold. Concomitantly, the testosterone metabolizing CYP isoforms CYP3A11 and CYP19 (aromatase) have been found to be induced 2.4- and 4.2-fold, respectively. CYP3A-mediated depletion of testosterone-forming 2beta-, and 6beta-hydroxytestosterone was significantly enhanced. Additionally, AR expression was increased 2-fold (mRNA) and 1.8-fold (protein), predominantly in the CA1 region. AR was shown to concentrate in nuclei of CA1 pyramidal neurons. We conclude that phenytoin affects testosterone metabolism via induction of CYP isoforms. The increased metabolism of testosterone leading to augmented androgen metabolite formation most likely led to enhanced expression of CYP19 and AR in hippocampus. Phenytoin obviously modulates the androgen signalling in the hippocampus.

Androgens↗
PubMed1999

Tissue prostate-specific antigen and androgen receptor immunoreactivity in prostate cancer biopsies before, during and after neo-adjuvant androgen deprivation followed by radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to examine the immunohistochemical stainability of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and androgen receptor (AR) in biopsies from localised prostate cancers before treatment, after androgen deprivation and after radiation therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Biopsies were taken from 16 men with prostate cancer (T1-3,Nx,M0) before the start (START) of androgen deprivation with LHRH analogue, during the following pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND), and twice after radiotherapy (POSTRAD and FINAL). RESULTS: Malignant cells were observed in all START, PLND and POSTRAD biopsies and in 6 of 7 FINAL specimens. During androgen suppression and subsequent radiotherapy a gradual reduction in tissue immunoreactivity for PSA and AR was observed paralleled by a reduction in serum PSA. The most striking observation was the complete lack of AR stainability after combined LHRH/radiation therapy. Of the 7 patients who had a long-term follow-up after radiotherapy, 1 patient was cancer negative on biopsy and without AR and PSA stainability. Six patients with cancer-positive FINAL biopsies had regained AR stainability. Five of these latter biopsies also stained for PSA. Five of the six patients had no elevation in serum PSA. CONCLUSION: After combined hormone/radiotherapy serum PSA is a relatively unreliable marker for the demonstration of residual cancer. This combination therapy leads to transient loss of immunohistochemically stained tissue PSA and AR in the residual cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Androgen insensitivity in forty-nine patients: classification based on clinical and androgen receptor phenotypes.

Androgen receptor binding was studied in genital skin fibroblasts from 49 patients with androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) classified as complete (CAIS) or partial (PAIS) based on the clinical phenotype. The majority (64%) of CAIS and a minority (7%) of PAIS patients were receptor negative. Only 3 receptor-positive AIS cell strains of 30 studied failed to show an increase in specific receptor binding after prolonged androgen exposure in vitro. The gene coding for the androgen receptor in such patients appears intact.

Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome↗
PubMed1999

Gender differences in hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats: role of androgens and androgen receptor.

Males are at greater risk of cardiovascular and renal disease than are females. For example, male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) have higher blood pressures than females. Androgens have been strongly implicated in the hypertension of male SHR, because castration attenuates the hypertension. This study determined whether the androgen receptor plays a role in hypertension in male SHR and whether testosterone alone can cause the hypertension or whether conversion to dihydrotestosterone is necessary. Male SHR, aged 10 weeks, were given the androgen receptor antagonist flutamide (8 mg/kg SC; n=8) or the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride (30 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) SC; n=11) daily for 5 to 6 weeks. Control rats (n=10) received vehicle (20% benzyl benzoate or ethanol in castor oil). After 5 to 6 weeks, blood pressure (mean arterial pressure) and glomerular filtration rate were measured. Long-term flutamide treatment caused a reduction in mean arterial pressure (control 178+/-5 mm Hg; flutamide 159+/-3 mm Hg; P<0.01), but finasteride had no effect (180+/-5 mm Hg). There were no differences in glomerular filtration rate among the groups. These data indicate that hypertension in male SHR is mediated via the androgen receptor and does not require conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.

Androgens↗
PubMed1996

A novel missense mutation in the amino-terminal domain of the human androgen receptor gene in a family with partial androgen insensitivity syndrome causes reduced efficiency of protein translation.

The role of the androgen receptor (AR) in male sexual differentiation is revealed in part by the analysis of naturally occurring mutations in families with androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). We have investigated a family with partial AIS affecting three generations and have identified a G to A substitution in the AR gene at the fourth position 3' from the A of the ATG initiation codon changing the second amino acid residue from glutamic acid to lysine (EK2). Transient expression of the mutant EK2-pCMVhAR expression vector in COS cells revealed decreased translation with a 20-50% reduction in mutant protein relative to wild type AR by immunoblot analysis. The rate of dissociation of [3H]methyltrienolone from the EK2 mutant (half-time [t1/2] = 1.7 +/- 0.08 SE h) was increased compared with wild type AR (t1/2 = 2.4 +/- 0.11 h). Cotransfection studies using an androgen responsive luciferase reporter vector demonstrated a 50% reduction in transcriptional activation by EK2. These functional alterations are consistent with the partial AIS phenotype in affected males, corroborate the AR amino-terminal domain effect on kinetics of androgen binding, and provide physiological evidence for earlier translation experiments identifying the nucleotide sequence for optimal translation initiation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Differential gene-expression patterns in genital fibroblasts of normal males and 46,XY females with androgen insensitivity syndrome: evidence for early programming involving the androgen receptor.

BACKGROUND: Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) comprises a range of phenotypes from male infertility to complete feminization. Most individuals with AIS carry germline mutations of the androgen receptor (AR) that interfere with or ablate its function. As genital fibroblasts retain expression of the AR in vitro, we used genital skin fibroblasts from normal males and 46,XY females with complete AIS due to known AR mutations to gain insights into the role of the AR in human genital differentiation. RESULTS: Using DNA microarrays representing 32,968 different genes, we identified 404 transcripts with significant differences in transcription levels between genital skin fibroblasts cultured from normal and AIS-affected individuals. Gene-cluster analyses uncovered coordinated expression of genes involved in key processes of morphogenesis. On the basis of animal studies and human genetic syndromes, several of these genes are known to have specific roles in genital differentiation. Remarkably, genital fibroblasts from both normal and AIS-affected individuals showed no transcriptional response to dihydrotestosterone treatment despite expression of the AR. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that in addition to differences in the anatomic origin of the cells, androgen signaling during prenatal development contributes to setting long-lasting, androgen-independent transcriptional programs in genital fibroblasts. Our findings have broad implications in understanding the establishment and the stability of sexual dimorphism in human genital development.

Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome↗
PubMed2004

Functional analysis of a novel androgen receptor mutation, Q902K, in an individual with partial androgen insensitivity.

Androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is caused by defects in the androgen receptor (AR) that render the AR partially or completely inactive. As a result, embryonic sex differentiation is impaired. Here, we describe a novel mutation in the AR found in a patient with partial AIS. The mutation results in a substitution of a glutamine (Q) by a lysine (K) residue at position 902, Q902K. The AR Q902K mutation was investigated in vitro with respect to its functional properties. The equilibrium dissociation constants (K(d)s) of AR Q902K in the presence of either the synthetic androgen R1881 or the natural ligand DHT were slightly elevated. The R1881 dissociation rate (t(1/2)) was increased 3-fold for AR Q902K compared with wild type. Transcriptional activity was decreased to 85% of wild type, and the dose-response curve revealed that the sensitivity to hormone was decreased due to the mutation. Furthermore, the 114-kDa androgen-induced phosphorylated AR protein band was not detectable in genital skin fibroblasts. However, it could be detected in transfected CHO cells expressing the mutant receptor in the presence of 10 and 100 nm R1881. Functional interaction assays and a GST pull-down assay showed that the interaction between the NH2 and COOH terminus of AR Q902K was reduced to 50% of wild type. Furthermore, the transactivation by the coactivator TIF2 (transcriptional intermediary factor 2) was decreased 2- to 3-fold. The half-maximal response in both assays was shifted to a higher hormone concentration compared with wild type. These results indicate that residue Q902 is involved in TIF2 and NH2/COOH interaction and that the Q to K mutation results in a mild impairment of AR function, which can explain the partial AIS phenotype of the patient.

Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome↗
PubMed2000

Novel point mutation in the splice donor site of exon-intron junction 6 of the androgen receptor gene in a patient with partial androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Androgen receptor (AR) gene mutations have been shown to cause androgen insensitivity syndrome with altered sexual differentiation in XY individuals, ranging from a partial insensitivity with male phenotype and azoospermia to a complete insensitivity with female phenotype and the absence of pubic and axillary sexual hair after puberty. In this study we present an 11-yr-old XY girl, with clinical manifestations peculiar for impaired androgen biological action, including female phenotype, blind-ending vagina, small degree of posterior labial fusion, and absence of uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. At the time of the diagnosis the patient had a FSH/LH ratio according to the puberal stage, undetectable 17beta-estradiol, and high levels of testosterone (80.1 ng/mL). After bilateral gonadectomy, performed at the age of 11 yr, histological examination showed small embryonic seminiferous tubules containing prevalently Sertoli cells and occasional spermatogonia together with abundant fibrous tissue. Molecular study of the patient showed a guanine to thymine transversion in position +5 of the donor splice site in the junction between exon 6 and intron 6 of the AR gene. The result of RT-PCR amplification of the AR messenger ribonucleic acid from cultured genital skin fibroblasts of the patient suggests that splicing is defective, and intron 6 is retained in most of the receptor messenger ribonucleic acid molecules. We show by immunoblotting that most of the expressed protein lacks part of the C-terminal hormone-binding domain, and a small amount of normal receptor is observed. This is probably responsible for the reduced binding capacity in genital skin fibroblasts of the patient. The molecular basis of the alteration in this case is a novel, uncommon mutation, leading to a phenotype indicative of a partial androgen insensitivity syndrome, Quigley's grade 5.

Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome↗
PubMed2003

Selective modulation of genomic and nongenomic androgen responses by androgen receptor ligands.

Steroids can induce both transcription-dependent (genomic) and independent (nongenomic) signaling. Here, several classical androgen receptor ligands were tested for their ability to modulate genomic and nongenomic responses, focusing on the role of the oocyte-expressed Xenopus classical androgen receptor (XeAR) in mediating these processes. Cellular fractionation and immunohistochemistry revealed that the XeAR was located throughout oocytes, including within the plasma membrane. RNA interference and oocyte maturation studies suggested that androgen-induced maturation was mediated in part by the XeAR in a transcription-independent fashion, perhaps by altering G protein-mediated signaling. While inducing minimal transcription in oocytes, all AR ligands promoted significant XeAR-mediated transcription in CV1 cells. In contrast, only testosterone and androstenedione potently induced oocyte maturation, whereas dihydrotestosterone and R1881 actually inhibited testosterone and human chorionic gonadotropin-induced maturation and signaling. These results suggest that the nature of a steroid-induced signal (genomic vs. nongenomic) may depend on the type of target cell, the receptor location within cells, as well as the ligand itself. The identification of molecules capable of selectively altering genomic vs. nongenomic signaling may be useful in delineating the roles of these pathways in mediating androgen responses and might lead to the development of novel compounds that specifically modulate these signals in vivo.

Androgens↗
PubMed1993

Regulation of the 5'-flanking region of the mouse androgen receptor gene by cAMP and androgen.

Both androgens and cAMP-mediated hormones are known to regulate expression of the androgen receptor (AR) gene. In order to determine whether these effects occur at the transcriptional level, transfection studies were conducted with a 1.5-kilobase fragment of the 5'-flanking region of the mouse AR gene coupled to a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene. We demonstrated that the cAMP pathway regulates expression of the mouse AR (mAR) 5'-CAT construct in mouse pituitary (alpha T3-1), rat pituitary (GC), and quail fibroblast (QT6) cell lines. Deletional analysis indicated that several areas of this clone, including a region containing a putative cAMP response element (CRE), are involved in mediating cAMP regulation of the AR gene. Oligonucleotides containing a putative CRE, linked to the thymidine kinase promoter of pBLCAT2, conferred increased forskolin induction of CAT activity. Furthermore, overexpression of a CRE binding protein up-regulated expression of the mAR 5'-CAT constructs. Bandshift data demonstrated that the putative CRE forms specific, competable complexes with nuclear proteins from alpha T3-1 and QT6 cells. Additional experiments indicated that AR can modulate both basal and forskolin-induced CAT activity in an androgen-dependent fashion. These data provide evidence that the 5'-flanking region of the mAR gene contains sequences which mediate the effects of both cAMP and androgens.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed2000

Influence of androgens and age on androgen receptor and 5 alpha-reductase II transcription.

OBJECTIVE: The regulation of the androgen receptor (AR) and 5 alpha-reductase II (5RII) gene in genital skin fibroblasts is of particular interest in understanding androgen-dependent embryonic formation of external male genitalia. DESIGN: Human genital skin fibroblasts from pre- and postpubertal male individuals (aged 5 months to 51 years) were incubated with testosterone and dihydrotestosterone under various conditions to study the regulation of AR and 5RII transcript concentrations dependent on androgen concentration and donor age. METHODS: A competitive reverse transcribed PCR (RT-PCR) protocol was designed to achieve simultaneous relative quantification (semi-quantification) of AR and 5RII mRNAs in standardized whole RNA samples from each donor. RESULTS: Concentrations of AR and 5RII mRNAs are not influenced by androgens in genital skin fibroblasts. Moreover, comparison of AR transcript concentrations in genital skin fibroblast cell lines revealed weak variations independent of donor age, while 5RII transcription exhibited clear individual differences with a declining tendency towards higher ages. CONCLUSIONS: The transcription of AR and 5RII is not directly regulated by testosterone or dihydrotestosterone in pre- or postpubertal human genital skin fibroblasts. However, donor age seems to play a role in gradual depression of 5RII transcription.

3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase↗