Intronic androgen response elements of prostatic binding protein genes.

Transcription of the genes that code for the different components of Prostatic Binding Protein is dependent on androgens. DNA-cellulose competition assays have demonstrated the presence of regions with affinity for the androgen receptor located immediately upstream and in the first intron of these genes. DNase I footprinting in vitro now reveals the exact binding site of a receptor dimer in the first intron of the C3(1), C3(2) and C1 genes. Gene transfer experiments resulted in the description of functional androgen response elements in the C3 genes. The C1 intronic binding site, however, has a much weaker affinity for the DNA-binding domain of the androgen receptor, a characteristic that might explain its inability to function as an androgen response element in chimeric gene constructs.