title: Human genital melanocytes as androgen target cells.
abstract: As some parts of human skin - such as genital and areolar skin - become pigmented after puberty, melanocytes in these regions are thought to be sex hormone target cells. We immunohistochemically localized androgen receptors in the nuclei of cultured human genital melanocytes by monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. When these cells were incubated with [1,2-3H]-testosterone, the major metabolite in the medium was dihydrotestosterone and 5alpha-reduction predominated over 17beta-oxidation. Androgen receptor and type I 5alpha-reductase mRNAs could be detected in genital melanocytes by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The tyrosinase activity was stimulated by the addition of androgen. This stimulation was antagonized by cyproterone acetate, whereas tyrosinase mRNA expression was not affected by androgen. These results indicate that human genital melanocytes are androgen target cells, and that androgen plays a role for pigmentation in the specific regional skin after puberty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Osaka University, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tadokoro
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Itami
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hosokawa
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Terashi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takayasu
mesh_terms: D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology*; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D042944:Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase; D015870:Gene Expression; D005835:Genitalia / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D007527:Isoenzymes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; D042944:Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase