Androgen regulation of androgen receptor messenger ribonucleic Acid differs in rat prostate and selected brain areas

Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences
S E AbdelgadirJ A Resko

Abstract

Androgens bind to specific high-affinity receptors (AR), thereby initiating gene transcription. We investigated the effects of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) on AR transcription and binding in prostate, medial basal hypothalamus (MBH), preoptic area (POA), amygdala, hippocampus, and cortex in the rat. Androgen receptor mRNA was measured by a ribonuclease protection assay. Cytosolic and nuclear AR binding (ARc and ARn, respectively) were measured by in vitro binding assays. In the prostate AR mRNA levels were low in intact animals. Castration produced a fourfold elevation of AR mRNA which was reduced to intact values by treatment with T or DHT (P < 0.05; n = 4). E(2) had no effect compared to castrate levels. In contrast to the prostate, no treatment effect was observed on the expression of AR gene in the MBH, POA, amygdala, hippocampus, or cortex. On the premise that treatment effects on AR mRNA in the brain may require longer than 48 h, we treated rats for 4 and 7 days and found no treatment effect on the expression of AR mRNA in MBH, POA, or amygdala. Next, we compared AR binding with its mRNA between prostate and various brain areas. Castration significantly increased ARc and reduced...Continue Reading

Citations

Sep 20, 1996·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·N G SimonA Cologer-Clifford
Aug 23, 2006·Journal of Veterinary Medicine. A, Physiology, Pathology, Clinical Medicine·C JacobsP Simoens
Nov 1, 1996·The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology·J V Choate, J A Resko

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Amygdala: Sensory Processes

Amygdalae, nuclei clusters located in the temporal lobe of the brain, play a role in memory, emotional responses, and decision-making. Here is the latest research on sensory processes in the amygdala.

Amygdala and Midbrain Dopamine

The midbrain dopamine system is widely studied for its involvement in emotional and motivational behavior. Some of these neurons receive information from the amygdala and project throughout the cortex. When the circuit and transmission of dopamine is disrupted symptoms may present. Here is the latest research on the amygdala and midbrain dopamine.