Androgen receptor and prostate cancer: molecular aspects and gene expression profiling.
Prostate cancer represents a major health problem in the aging population of Western countries. Androgen ablation is one of the preferred treatments for this disease; unfortunately, relapse is often observed, and no therapeutic agent is available at this stage of the disease. Although numerous studies indicate that the androgen receptor (AR) remains largely involved at the late stages of the disease, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the transition from an androgen-dependent to an androgen-independent state are still poorly understood. Newly discovered aspects of the mode of action of AR, such as cross-talk with other signaling pathways, post-translational modifications, interaction with co-factors and allosteric modulation by DNA response elements have helped to broaden our knowledge on how target gene transcription is regulated. In addition, the gene expression profiles recently determined on prostate-derived cell lines and on normal and diseased prostate tissues should help to decipher the mechanisms leading to uncontrolled growth and metastasis.
Schering AG, Research Laboratories, Müllerstrasse 178, 13342 Berlin, Germany.
Anette
A
Sommer
Bernard
B
Haendler
D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009376:Neoplasms, Hormone-Dependent / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology
D000728:Androgens; D011944:Receptors, Androgen