Androgens have a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of the male reproductive system, the normal prostate, as well as the initiation and progression of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-cutaneous cancer and se cond leading cause of cancer death in men. Despite this high incidence rate and mortality, there is at present very limited information on the cellular and molecular alterations in prostate cancer. Despite the recognition of the importance of androgens fo r normal prostate and prostate cancer for over 60 years, the molecular mechanisms by which androgens influence the prostate cancer cell is not known. The goal of this research prosject is to uncover some of the molecular details of androgen action as it r elates to prostate cancer. The focus is on the androgen receptor, a ligand modulated transcription factor, that transduces the effect of androgens in the cell. In addition to structure/function studies on the androgen receptor.
