Cytosolic androgen receptor in skeletal muscle from normal and dystrophic mice

The cytosolic androgen receptor was studied in skeletal muscle of normal mice and of mice with hereditary muscular dystrophy (129/ReJ-dy). Mouse muscle contains a cytosolic androgen receptor with high affinity (KD 0.6 nM) and low capacity (Bmax 3fmol/mg protein). Dystrophic muscle contains a receptor with similar binding properties. The receptors from muscle of dystrophic and normal mice bind to DNA-cellulose affinity columns and are eluted with similar patterns. The reported failure of androgens to alleviate the clinical signs of murine muscular dystrophy is probably not due to decreased androgen responsiveness of the affected muscles.