title: Rapid actions of androgens.
abstract: The biological activity of androgens is thought to occur predominantly through binding to intracellular androgen-receptors, a member of the nuclear receptor family, that interact with specific nucleotide sequences to alter gene expression. This genomic-androgen effect typically takes at least more than half an hour. In contrast, the rapid or non-genomic actions of androgens are manifested within in seconds to few minutes. This rapid effect of androgens are manifold, ranging from activation of G-protein coupled membrane androgen-receptors or sex hormone-binding globulin receptors, stimulation of different protein kinases, to direct modulation of voltage- and ligand gated ion-channels and transporters. The physiological relevance of these non-genomic androgen actions has not yet been determined in detail. However, it may contribute to modulate several second messenger systems or transcription factors, which suggests a cross-talk between the fast non-genomic and the slow genomic pathway of androgens. This review will focus on the rapid effects of androgens on cell surface and cytoplasmic level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine III and Center for Molecular Medicine (CMMC), University of Cologne, Kerpener Street 62, D-50937 Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Michels
authors.forename: Uta C
authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Hoppe
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000502:physiology; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D008954:Models, Biological; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000502:physiology; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000502:physiology; D015290:Second Messenger Systems / Q000187:drug effects; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000502:physiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D007473:Ion Channels; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D014157:Transcription Factors; D013739:Testosterone; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D011493:Protein Kinase C; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D020962:Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins; D002118:Calcium