The AR gene provides instructions for making a protein called an androgen receptor. Androgens are hormones (such as testosterone) that are important for normal male sexual development before birth and during puberty. Androgen receptors allow the body to respond appropriately to these hormones.
The receptors are present in many of the body’s tissues, where they attach (bind) to androgens. The resulting androgen-receptor complex then binds to DNA and regulates the activity of certain genes that play a role in male sexual development. By turning the genes on or off as necessary, the androgen receptor complex helps direct the development of male sex characteristics. Androgens and androgen receptors also have other important functions in both males and females, such as regulating hair growth and sex drive.
In one region of the AR gene, a DNA segment known as CAG is repeated multiple times. This CAG segment is called a triplet or trinucleotide repeat. In most people, the number of CAG repeats in the AR gene ranges from fewer than 10 to about 36.
Other Names
AIS; ANDR_HUMAN; DHTR; NR3C4; TFM
Related Genetics Topics
- Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy — MedlinePlus Genetics
- Androgen insensitivity syndrome — MedlinePlus Genetics
- Androgenetic alopecia — MedlinePlus Genetics
- Prostate cancer — MedlinePlus Genetics
- Polycystic ovary syndrome — MedlinePlus Genetics
Identifiers
- NCBI Gene: 367
- OMIM: 313700
Source: MedlinePlus Genetics, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
