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Androgen receptor gene expression in the rat central nervous system: Evidence for two mRNA transcripts
R I McLachlan1, B L Tempel, M A Miller
1Medical Service and Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, USA; VA Medical Center, USA; Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology, and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98108, USA.
Two androgen receptor (AR) RNA species exist in male rats, differing in their 5' untranslated region. Their proportions vary across brain regions, unlike prostate AR gene expression, which is not short-term regulated by androgen withdrawal.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Androgen receptor (AR) plays a crucial role in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral tissues.
- Understanding AR gene expression is vital for comprehending androgenic effects in various organs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and distribution of AR gene expression in the CNS and peripheral tissues of male rats.
- To characterize different AR mRNA species and their regulation.
Main Methods:
- RNA (Northern) blot analysis and in situ hybridization were employed to detect AR mRNA.
- Specific cDNA probes targeting different regions of the AR gene were used.
Main Results:
- Two AR mRNA species (11 kb and 9.3 kb) were identified, with the 9.3 kb transcript being novel and predominant in specific brain regions.
- AR mRNA levels in the prostate increased post-castration, while CNS AR transcripts showed no significant short-term change.
- AR mRNA distribution in the brain correlated with known androgen-binding sites.
Conclusions:
- Adult male rats possess two AR RNA species with distinct 5' untranslated regions, varying in proportion across brain regions.
- CNS AR gene expression, particularly in the cerebral cortex, is not acutely regulated by androgen withdrawal, contrasting with peripheral tissues like the prostate.
