title: Expression of mRNA for androgen receptor, 5alpha-reductase and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in human dermal papilla cells.
abstract: In order to determine whether adrenal and gonadal weak androgens are utilized to form active androgens in human hair, we studied the expression of mRNA for androgen receptor (AR), 5alpha-reductase and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) in cultured dermal papilla cells (DPCs) from various body sites. AR mRNA was expressed in beard (Be) and axillary hair (Ax) DPCs from both sexes, but only at a low level in DPCs from occipital scalp hair (OS). Type I 5alpha-reductase mRNA was expressed by all DPCs. Type II 5alpha-reductase mRNA was identified in beard DPCs, but was absent from OS and Ax DPCs. Type II 17beta-HSD mRNA was strongly expressed in outer root sheath cells (ORSCs), while DPCs except for male Ax expressed no type II 17beta-HSD mRNA. In contrast, type III 17beta-HSD mRNA was strongly expressed in Be DPCs and Ax DPCs from both sexes; ORSCs showed a low level of expression. Expression of type III 17beta-HSD mRNA was not regulated by androgen in DPCs. These results suggest that the sensitivity of hairs to androgen is partially controlled by the site-specific expression of AR, 5alpha-reductase and 17beta-HSD in DPCs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Osaka University Medical School, Yamadaoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ando
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hamada
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Itami
mesh_terms: D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D006913:Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; C035507:3(17)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase