FIG. 2. Androgen action in the prostate. Free testosterone diffuses into the prostatic cell and is converted to DHT by 5-alpha reductase. DHT binds with androgen receptor which in turn is translocated into the nucleus, where it binds to the androgen responsive element (ARE). Binding to the ARE induces transcription of mRNA which leads to translation of proteins in the cytoplasm. (From: Aumuller G. Morphologic and endocrine aspects of prostate function. The Prostate 1983;4:195-214. Reprinted by permission of John Wiley and Sons Inc.)