General Description
Androgens are the male sex hormones that exert biological and transcriptional effects on binding to nuclear androgen receptor (AR). Androgens in humans include androstenedione, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone. Androgen receptor is a ligand inducible nuclear receptor, expressed on brain, bone, skeletal muscles, genital organs, hair follicles and cardiovascular tissue. On binding androgen, the AR is internalized and modulates the transcriptional of target genes. Additionally, AR also exerts extra-nuclear actions wherein it rapidly induces signalling cascades of MAPK and protein kinase C. The regulation by AR results in irreversible sexual differentiation of sex organs during embryogenesis and development of sex-specific characteristics during puberty
Anti-Androgen Receptor specifically recognizes the human androgen receptor protein (110 kDa). An additional band may be observed at 45 kDa. The antibody cross-reacts with rat androgen receptor.
Biological Activity
The androgen receptor is an androgen-activated member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors. Signaling by the androgen receptor plays a key role in proper development and function of male reproductive organs. The androgen receptor gene is more than 90 kb long and codes for a protein th at has 3 major functional domains: the N-terminal domain, DNA-binding domain, and androgen-binding domain. The protein functions as a steroid-hormone activated transcription factor. Upon binding the hormone ligand, the receptor dissociates from accessory proteins, translocates into the nucleus, dimerizes, and then stimulates transcription of androgen responsive genes. This gene contains 2 polymorphic trinucleotide repe at segments th at encode polyglutamine and polyglycine tracts in the N-terminal transactivation domain of its protein. Expansion of the polyglutamine tract causes spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy disease). Mutations in this gene are also associated with complete androgen insensitivity (CAIS). Two alternatively spliced variants encoding distinct isoforms have been described. The androgen receptor (AR) has been shown to play a critical role in the development and progression of prostate cancer.
