Testosterone signaling through internalizable surface receptors in androgen receptor-free macrophages

WPM Benten, M Lieberherr, O Stamm… - Molecular biology of …, 1999 - Am Soc Cell Biol
WPM Benten, M Lieberherr, O Stamm, C Wrehlke, Z Guo, F Wunderlich
Molecular biology of the cell, 1999Am Soc Cell Biol
Testosterone acts on cells through intracellular transcription-regulating androgen receptors
(ARs). Here, we show that mouse IC-21 macrophages lack the classical AR yet exhibit
specific nongenomic responses to testosterone. These manifest themselves as testosterone-
induced rapid increase in intracellular free [Ca2+], which is due to release of Ca2+ from
intracellular Ca2+ stores. This Ca2+ mobilization is also inducible by plasma membrane-
impermeable testosterone-BSA. It is not affected by the AR blockers cyproterone and …
Testosterone acts on cells through intracellular transcription-regulating androgen receptors (ARs). Here, we show that mouse IC-21 macrophages lack the classical AR yet exhibit specific nongenomic responses to testosterone. These manifest themselves as testosterone-induced rapid increase in intracellular free [Ca2+], which is due to release of Ca2+ from intracellular Ca2+ stores. This Ca2+mobilization is also inducible by plasma membrane-impermeable testosterone-BSA. It is not affected by the AR blockers cyproterone and flutamide, whereas it is completely inhibited by the phospholipase C inhibitor U-73122 and pertussis toxin. Binding sites for testosterone are detectable on the surface of intact IC-21 cells, which become selectively internalized independent on caveolae and clathrin-coated vesicles upon agonist stimulation. Internalization is dependent on temperature, ATP, cytoskeletal elements, phospholipase C, and G-proteins. Collectively, our data provide evidence for the existence of G-protein-coupled, agonist-sequestrable receptors for testosterone in plasma membranes, which initiate a transcription-independent signaling pathway of testosterone.
Am Soc Cell Biol