Fig. 3

Androgen receptor activation pathways. AR transcription can occur either through canonical AR-FL signaling or through cross-talk between alternative signaling pathways. Ligand-independent AR transcription likely occurs through a number of mechanisms and may involve the formation of AR homodimers (as is the case with the AR-FL canonical signaling pathway) or heterodimerization between AR-FL, AR-Vs, and AR-mutants. Cross-talk between signaling pathways likely augment AR transcriptional activity in several ways, including through N-terminal phosphorylation, or by promoting AR nuclear translocation. Key nodes affected by several pathways are highlighted in red. RTK receptor tyrosine kinases, T testosterone, HSP heat-shock proteins, IL6-R IL-6 receptor, CoReg co-regulators