Nuclear import of the human androgen receptor was investigated by immunocytochemical analysis of androgen receptor deletion and substitution mutants, which were transiently expressed in COS-1 cells. The signal responsible for nuclear import is encoded by amino-acid residues 608-625 and is functionally similar to the bipartite nucleoplasmin nuclear-localization signal. Although the subcellular d...

We have examined the nature of the mutant androgen receptor in a family with a severe defect in virilization associated with a qualitative defect in receptor function. The androgen receptor gene in this family contains two structural alterations: a single nucleotide substitution at position 2444 in exon 5 (adenosine----guanosine) that converts tyrosine 761 to a cysteine residue and a shortened ...

Male sex steroids (androgens) sculpture the human embryo resulting in development of the male internal and external genitalia. At puberty, a surge of androgens leads to the initiation of spermatogenesis and growth of accessory sex organs, including the prostate gland. Sperm production is highly dependent on androgens (Zirkin et al., 1989) and it has long been suspected that suboptimal androgen ...

The androgen and glucocorticoid hormones evoke specific in vivo responses by activating different sets of responsive genes. Although the consensus sequences of the glucocorticoid and androgen response elements are very similar, this in vivo specificity can in some cases be explained by differences in DNA recognition between both receptors. This has clearly been demonstrated for the androgen res...

Background Androgen receptor (AR) mediates androgen actions such as initiation and promotion of spermatogenesis and growth of accessory sex organs. There are two trinucleotide polymorphisms (CAG and GGN repeats) in exon1 of AR gene that are vary in length in population. The CAG and GGN repeats association with infertility is still unknown and this study is planned to assess the distribution of ...

HOX (homeobox) genes encode homeodomain-containing transcription factors critical to development, differentiation, and homeostasis. Their dysregulation has been implicated in a variety of cancers. Previously, we showed that a subset of genes of the HOXC cluster is upregulated in primary prostate tumors, lymph node metastases, and malignant prostate cell lines. In the present study, we show that...

HOX (homeobox) genes encode homeodomain-containing transcription factors critical to development, differentiation, and homeostasis. Their dysregulation has been implicated in a variety of cancers. Previously, we showed that a subset of genes of the HOXC cluster is upregulated in primary prostate tumors, lymph node metastases, and malignant prostate cell lines. In the present study, we show that...

We have analyzed the entire nucleotide sequences of complementary DNAs of the androgen receptor gene in two siblings (patients 8044 and 8047) with complete androgen insensitivity. Plasma testosterone was in the normal male range, however, androgen binding capacity was undetectable as measured in skin fibroblasts in both patients. 5alpha-reductase activity was normal in both cases confirming tha...

The current understanding of the response of androgen receptor to pharmacologic inhibitors in prostate cancer is derived primarily from serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. In this study, we test whether a novel androgen receptor-specific molecular imaging system is able to detect the action of the antiandrogen flutamide on androgen receptor function in xenograft models of prostate can...