Absolute measurement of androgen receptor mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear, preputial skin and urethral mucosa cells of control individuals with phimosis using qRT-PCR.
BACKGROUND
Androgen actions are exerted upon the androgen receptor (AR), and complete genital virilization of normal 46,XY individuals depends on adequate function and expression of the AR gene in a tissue-specific manner.


OBJECTIVE
Standardization of normal ARmRNA in androgen-sensitive tissues.


METHODS
In this study, we determined the quantitative amounts of ARmRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear, urethral mucosa and preputial skin cells of control subjects with phimosis by using RT-PCR.


RESULTS
The mean (SD) values of AR expression in blood, urethra and prepuce were: 0.01 (0.01); 0.43 (0.32); 0.31 (0.36), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The AR expression is low in blood and equivalent in urethral mucosa and preputial skin, which may be useful in the diagnosis of individuals with abnormal external genitalia.
Molecular Medicine Laboratory, Physiology Department, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Santa Casa de São Paulo, Brazil.
Tatiane Sousa e
TS
Silva
Flavio
F
Richetti
Daniela Patricia Palmeira Santos
DP
Cunha
Antonio Carlos Moreira
AC
Amarante
Jovelino Quintino de Souza
JQ
Leão
Carlos Alberto
CA
Longui
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007021:Hypospadias / Q000175:diagnosis; D007223:Infant; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D010413:Penis / Q000737:chemistry*; D010688:Phimosis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D012016:Reference Values; D014521:Urethra / Q000737:chemistry*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011944:Receptors, Androgen