Androgen Receptor Function Links Human Sexual Dimorphism to DNA Methylation
Figure 3
Model of establishment of DNA methylation patterns by AR activity.
(A) Unmutated inactive androgen receptor (AR) binds testosterone (T) activating the receptor. Activated AR binds directly (large arrow) to AR response elements on the DNA inducing gene expression which subsequently prevents DNA methylation (“gene1”). Additionally either the activated AR itself or AR induced genes act on suppressor complexes (S; dotted arrow) which repress particular sets of genes (“gene2”) leading finally to DNA methylation of silenced genes. (B) In AIS missing AR activity prevents activation of AR target genes which might subsequently result to (stochastic de novo) DNA methylation of affected genes. In contrast, genes usually silenced by AR (directly or by additional AR-dependent pathways) become expressed preventing DNA methylation. white lollipops: unmethylated DNA, filled lollipops: methylated DNA.