P10275

AR is more than 90 kb long and codes for a protein that has 3 major functional domains: the N-terminal domain, DNA-binding domain, and androgen-binding domain. AR plays a crucial role in mediating the effects of androgens, such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, which are vital for the development and maintenance of male reproductive physiology and phenotype. Located primarily in the cytoplasm and nucleus of target cells, AR undergoes a conformational change upon binding to ligands, allowing translocation to the nucleus where AR regulates gene expression. Nuclear localization is essential for function as a transcription factor, influencing biological processes, including cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. AR′s ability to rapidly degrade in the absence of ligand underscores the importance of androgen binding for stability and function, as binding leads to a significant increase in receptor stability that is specific to the type of androgen bound.