A novel androgen signalling pathway uses dihydrotestosterone, but not testosterone, to activate the EGF receptor signalling cascade in prostate stromal cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Human prostate growth and function are tightly controlled by androgens that are generally thought to exert their effects by regulating gene transcription. However, a rapid, non-genomic steroid action, often involving an elevation of intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+) ]i ), has also been described in a number of cell types. In this study we investigate whether androgens acutely regulate [Ca(2+) ]i in stromal cells derived from the human prostate.

Experimental approach

Human-cultured prostatic stromal cells (HCPSCs) were loaded with the calcium-sensitive fluorophore, fura-2-acetoxymethyl ester (FURA-2AM) (10 μM). Changes in [Ca(2+) ]i in response to the androgens, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone, as well as EGF were measured by fluorescence micros

SUBMITTER: Oliver VL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3791997 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature