Immunohistochemical localization of androgen receptors with mono- and polyclonal antibodies to androgen receptor

Abstract

Rat, human, and mouse tissues were stained immunohistochemically using mono- and polyclonal androgen receptor antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies were raised in rats and used to stain human and mouse tissues; polyclonal antibodies were raised in rabbits and used to stain rat tissues. Frozen tissue sections were incubated with the appropriate androgen receptor antibody and staining was completed by the indirect avidin-biotin peroxidase method. A comprehensive survey of rat and mouse tissues was performed. Antibody staining was found exclusively in the nucleus of certain specific cell types, suggesting that the androgen receptor is a nuclear protein. All male sexual organs in the rat showed strong positive nuclear staining for androgen receptor. Weaker positive reactions were seen in kidney, liver, adrenal cortex and pituitary gland. Furthermore, positive staining for androgen receptor was exhibited in skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle cells, and central nervous tissue. Female reproductive organs also contained androgen receptor-positive cells. The spleen was found to be the only organ examined which did not stain for androgen receptor. The monoclonal antibody could also demonstrate androgen receptor-positive cells in a human prostatic cancer and in a prostate with benign hyperplasia. These data demonstrate the use of antibodies in revealing cellular/subcellular distribution of androgen receptor in target tissues.

Regulation of gene transcription in the epididymis

“…Steroid hormone receptors that have been localized to different regions of the epididymis include the androgen receptor (AR; Takeda et al, 1990;Bentvelsen et al, 1995;You and Sar, 1998), oestrogen receptor α (ERα; Cooke et al, 1991;Hess et al, 1997;Nielsen et al, 2000) and the retinoic acid receptor (RAR; Akmal et al, 1996). Moreover, the expression of these receptors has been shown to be critical for epididymal development.…”

Immunohistochemical localization of androgen receptors in the urogenital tracts of human embryos

“…Ligand binding is essential for the activation of the receptor which then binds to specific targets on DNA resulting in modulation of the level of gene expression (Rundlett et al 1990). These receptors are present in both the epithelium and stroma of juvenile and adult reproductive organs (Stumpf & Sar 1976, Takeda et al 1990). …”

Trinucleotide repeats in the human androgen receptor: a molecular basis for disease

“…This difference may provide clues to the pathophysiology of the neurological disease, for although females express AR (Takeda et al 1990, Ruizeveld de Winter et al 1991, MacLean et al 1995b, the symptoms and signs of SBMA are limited to males (Amato et al 1993). Random X chromosome inactivation (Lyon 1972, Gartler & Riggs 1983 or lower androgen levels (Bardin & Lipsett 1967, Kirshner & Bardin 1972) may account for lack of disease expression in females.…”

“…Mild electromyographic abnormalities have, however, been reported in the absence of neurological and biochemical abnormality in female heterozygote carriers (Sobue et al 1993). AR is widely expressed in many tissues (Sar et al 1990) including the central nervous and muscular system (Sar et al 1990, Takeda et al 1990, Doyu et al 1994, Doumit et al 1996. The absence of any neuromuscular deficit or degeneration in patients with complete androgen insensitivity (Quigley et al 1995) suggests one hypothesis that a neurotoxic gain of function by the CAG expansion mutation may be triggered by the presence of androgens.…”