[Expression of androgen receptor isoforms in normal human prostate].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of androgen receptor (AR) isoforms in normal human prostate. METHODS: Fourteen normal prostatic specimens from donors, aged 25 on average (21-28 yr), were analyzed by high resolution isoelectric focusing (IEF). The expression of AR isoforms was demonstrated in all 14 normal human prostatic tissues. RESULTS: Four types of AR isoforms were detected with isoelectric point value at 6.5, 6.0, 5.8 and 5.3 in 14 prostatic specimens. Binding of 3H-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to these four AR isoforms was inhibited by the addition of 100-fold excess of DHT and testosterone. No effect of progesterone, estradiol and diethylstilbestrol on tritiated hormone binding was observed. CONCLUSIONS: There are four AR isoforms in normal human prostate. The expression of AR isoforms is different from one another.