Androgen-Induced Neurite Outgrowth Is Mediated By Neuritin In Motor Neurons

The study investigated the role of androgens in neurite outgrowth in motor neurons, focusing on the protein neuritin. Researchers used a model of immortalized motor neuronal cells expressing the mouse androgen receptor (mAR) to analyze androgen effects. They found that androgens, particularly 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), up-regulated the neuritin gene, promoting neurite elongation. This effect was counteracted by the anti-androgen Casodex and the 5α-reductase type 2 enzyme inhibitor finasteride. Silencing neuritin with siRNA abolished the androgenic effect on neurite outgrowth, suggesting that androgens promote motor neuron development and regeneration through neuritin regulation.