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Published on: February 28, 2013
Transcriptome analysis to identify the downstream genes of androgen receptor in dermal papilla cells
Kai Furuya1, So Fujibayashi1, Tao Wu1
1Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Iwate University, 4-3-5 Ueda, Morioka, Iwate, 020-8551, Japan.
Background:
Testosterone signaling mediates various diseases, such as androgenetic alopecia and prostate cancer. Testosterone signaling is mediated by the androgen receptor (AR). In this study, we fortuitously found that primary and immortalized dermal papilla cells suppressed AR expression, although dermal papilla cells express AR in vivo. To analyze the AR signaling pathway, we exogenously introduced the AR gene via a retrovirus into immortalized dermal papilla cells and comprehensively compared their expression profiles with and without AR expression.
Results:
Whole-transcriptome profiling revealed that the focal adhesion pathway was mainly affected by the activation of AR signaling. In particular, we found that caveolin-1 gene expression was downregulated in AR-expressing cells, suggesting that caveolin-1 is controlled by AR.
Conclusion:
Our whole transcriptome data is critical resources for discovery of new therapeutic targets for testosterone-related diseases.
Insights
Androgen receptor (AR) signaling impacts diseases like hair loss and prostate cancer. This study found AR activation affects focal adhesion pathways and downregulates caveolin-1, offering new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Testosterone signaling, mediated by the androgen receptor (AR), is implicated in diseases such as androgenetic alopecia and prostate cancer.
- Dermal papilla cells were observed to suppress AR expression in vitro, despite expressing AR in vivo.
- This discrepancy prompted an investigation into the AR signaling pathway within these cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway in dermal papilla cells.
- To identify molecular changes associated with AR activation.
- To explore potential therapeutic targets for testosterone-related diseases.
Main Methods:
- Exogenous introduction of the AR gene into immortalized dermal papilla cells via retrovirus.
- Comprehensive comparison of gene expression profiles with and without AR expression.
- Whole-transcriptome profiling to analyze affected pathways.
Main Results:
- AR signaling activation primarily affected the focal adhesion pathway.
- Caveolin-1 gene expression was found to be downregulated in AR-expressing cells.
- This suggests that caveolin-1 is under the control of the androgen receptor (AR).
Conclusions:
- Whole transcriptome data provides valuable resources for identifying new therapeutic targets.
- Findings are critical for developing treatments for testosterone-related diseases.
- Understanding AR signaling in dermal papilla cells can inform therapeutic strategies.
