Androgen

Androgens are steroid hormones that regulate the development and maintenance of male traits in vertebrates by binding to the androgen receptor. The most prominent androgen is testosterone; others include dihydrotestosterone (DHT), androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which are produced mainly in the testes, ovary, and adrenal glands. Androgens function through the androgen receptor, a nuclear receptor/transcription factor. Androgens play critical roles in sexual differentiation, secondary sex characteristic development, and serve as precursors for the synthesis of estrogens. Therapeutically, drug interventions often target their synthesis or receptor interaction due to their involvement in diseases such as prostate cancer and hormonal imbalances. For retrieval of structured therapeutic target data (drug interactions, mechanisms, etc.), queries should focus on the androgen receptor rather than “androgens,” as the receptor is the pharmacological target.

Other names

Male hormonesteroid hormonetestosteronedihydrotestosterone (DHT)androstenedionedehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS)androstenediolandrosterone

Activation or inhibition of androgen receptor, modulation of androgen synthesis, antagonism of receptor binding