This Article Accepted Manuscript (PDF) Supplementary Data All Versions of this Article: 136/2/225    most recent REP-08-0055v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Google Scholar Articles by de Waal, P. Articles by Bogerd, J. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by de Waal, P. Articles by Bogerd, J.

Functional characterization and expression analysis of the androgen receptor in zebrafish (Danio rerio) testis

P de Waal, Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
D Wang, School of Life Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
W Nijenhuis, Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
R Schulz, Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
J Bogerd, Biology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CH, Netherlands

Correspondence: Jan Bogerd, Email: j.bogerd{at}uu.nl

Abstract

The biological activity of androgens, important for male sexual differentiation and development, is mediated by the androgen receptor that binds to specific DNA recognition sites regulating the transcription of androgen target genes. We investigated androgen production by adult zebrafish testis tissue, and identified 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione, 11-ketoandrostenedione and 11-ketotestosterone as main products, and hence potential ligands, for the zebrafish androgen receptor (Ar). These androgens were then included in the pharmacological characterization of the zebrafish Ar. The zebrafish Ar responded well in terms of binding and transactivation to synthetic androgens as well as to testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone, and reasonably well to 11-ketoandrostenedione and androstenedione. In situ hybridization analysis of zebrafish testis revealed that ar mRNA expression was detected in the subpopulation of Sertoli cells contacting early spermatogonia.