title: The role of androgen metabolism in the control of androgen action in the rat prostate.
abstract: Recent results from a number of laboratories have led us to re-examine the role of 3 beta-androstanediol in the rat ventral prostate. Whereas previously 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and 3-beta androstanediol were thought to have distinctly separate effects on the prostate, we suggest that 3 beta-androstanediol serves only as an intermediate in the metabolism and removal of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone from the organ. In our view the action of androgens on the prostate are exerted exclusively through the binding of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone to the androgen receptor and its subsequent translocation to the nucleus. Differences in effects are related to the amount of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone available to the gland. 3 alpha-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase may play a critical role in modulating the level of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone available to the translocatable receptor.
mesh_terms: D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology*; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008861:Microsomes / Q000378:metabolism; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol; D013739:Testosterone; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase; D000135:Acid Phosphatase