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

摘要

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEHuman 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 ([Ca²⁺]i), has also been described in a number of cell types. In this study we investigate whether androgens acutely regulate [Ca²⁺]i in stromal cells derived from the human prostate.