Invitrogen™ Androgen Receptor Polyclonal Antibody

Description

PA1-110 detects androgen receptor (AR) from human, primate, rat, and mouse tissues. This antibody does not detect estrogen, progesterone, or glucocorticoid receptors. PA1-110 has been successfully used in Western blot, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry and immunoprecipitation procedures. By Western blot, this antibody detects an ~110 kDa protein representing AR from rat brain homogenate. Immunohistochemical staining of AR in rat brain with PA1-110 results in intense nuclear staining. For fixation of frozen sections, 2% paraformaldehyde + 15% picric acid solution in phosphate buffer, pH 7.4 is recommended. The PA1-110 immunogen is a fusion protein containing residues 331-572 of human androgen receptor.

The androgen receptor (AR) is a member of the steroid-hormone receptor superfamily of nuclear receptors. The receptor is more than 90 kDa and has three major functional domains: the N-terminal domain, DNA-binding domain, and the androgen-binding domain. The androgen receptor is a ligand-activated transcription factor that binds active testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Upon binding the hormone ligand, the receptor dissociates from accessory proteins, translocates into the nucleus, dimerizes, and then stimulates transcription of androgen responsive genes. The AR signaling pathway plays a key role in development and function of male reproductive organs, including the prostate and epididymis.AR also plays a role in nonreproductive organs, such as muscle, hair follicles, and brain.Androgen Receptor is a phosphoprotein, and also regulates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase). The inhibition of the MEK1/2 pathway correlates directly with a change in phosphorylation state of the androgen receptor. Abnormalities in the AR signaling pathway have been linked to a number of diseases, including prostate cancer, Kennedy's disease, and male infertility. Mutations in this gene are associated with complete androgen insensitivity (CAIS).