Androgen regulation of gene expression in epididymis

Gene expression and its regulation by androgens in epididymis is briefly reviewed from the literature. It appears that region specific expression is the main characteristic for this organ although molecular mechanisms are poorly documented. Here, androgen control at the transcriptional level is analyzed for the glutathione peroxidase 5 gene, a gene expressed in the mouse caput epididymis. An Androgen Response Element is described and some consensus sequences for other transcription factors are mapped. The involvement of a member of the Ets family of trans-acting factors is discussed. Abbreviations: ABP: androgen binding protein; AEG: acidic epididymal glycoprotein; AR: androgen receptor; ARE: androgen response element; CRBP: cellular retinol binding protein; DHT: dihydrotestosterone; EAP1: integrin like ligand; GGT: gamma glutamyltranspeptidase; GPX5: glutathione peroxidase type 5; GRE: glucocorticoid response element; HE1 to 5: human epididymal protein type 1 to 5; POMC: proopiomelanocortin; SBP: sex steroid binding plasma protein; SOD: superoxyde dismutase; tk: thymidine kinase gene.