title: A physiological role for androgen actions in the absence of androgen receptor DNA binding activity.
abstract: We tested the hypothesis that androgens have physiological actions via non-DNA binding-dependent androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathways in males, using our genetically modified mice that express a mutant AR with deletion of the 2nd zinc finger of the DNA binding domain (AR(ΔZF2)) that cannot bind DNA. In cultured genital skin fibroblasts, the mutant AR(ΔZF2) has normal ligand binding ability, phosphorylates ERK-1/2 in response to 1 min DHT treatment (blocked by the AR antagonist bicalutamide), but has reduced androgen-dependent nuclear localization compared to wildtype (WT). AR(ΔZF2) males have normal baseline ERK-1/2 phosphorylation, with a 1.5-fold increase in Akt phosphorylation in AR(ΔZF2) muscle vs WT. To identify physiological actions of non-DNA binding-dependent AR signaling, AR(ΔZF2) males were treated for 6 weeks with dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Cortical bone growth was suppressed by DHT in AR(ΔZF2) mice (6% decrease in periosteal and 7% decrease in medullary circumference vs untreated AR(ΔZF2) males). In conclusion, these data suggest that non-DNA binding dependent AR actions suppress cortical bone growth, which may provide a mechanism to fine-tune the response to androgens in bone.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Vic. 3084, Australia.
authors.forename: Tammy P S
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Michele V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghasem-Zadeh
authors.forename: Nicole K L
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Rachel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.forename: Helen E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: MacLean
mesh_terms: D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005269:Femur / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008954:Models, Biological; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011485:Protein Binding; D021381:Protein Transport; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020218:Response Elements; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D004247:DNA