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Gene & Protein in Disease Testosterone as a biomarker of colorectal cancer

Figure 3. Testosterone signaling in colon epithelial cell: Testosterone is synthesized in the tissue of Leydig cells, where it is then transported by steroid
hormone binding globin (SHBG) via the bloodstream to different target sites. One of these sites is within colon epithelial cells. Once the SHBG complex with
testosterone reaches this site, testosterone is released. Due to its lipophilic nature, it readily passes through the cell membrane. Once inside the cytoplasm,
it binds to its receptor, known as the androgen receptor (AR), a DNA-binding protein complexed with heat shock protein. The testosterone-AR complex
is subsequently transported to the nucleus, where it forms a dimer and binds to the androgen response element site, thereby regulating the expression of
genes critical for cell proliferation regulation, as well as cell death. In colon cancer, the disruption of this signaling is attributed to low testosterone levels.

its receptor, the androgen receptor (AR), which is a DNA- the colorectal cancer mysteries in South India. Mohd
binding protein complexed with heat-shock protein [38,41,42] . Younis and Vijaya Anand thank Bharathiar University and
The testosterone-AR complex is then transported to the DST PURSE-II for constant support, and encouragement.
nucleus, where it forms a dimer and binds to the androgen
response element site, regulating the expression of genes Funding
critical for cell proliferation, regulation, and cell death . This study was supported by DST-PURSE-II, Bharathiar
[43]
The gender disparity in CRC risk can be attributed to University, Government of India. The fellowship was
both genetic and environmental variables, both of which provided by DST New Delhi and Bharathiar University
have the potential to affect sex hormone levels [16,44,45] . Low India.
testosterone levels result in the disruption of this signaling
cascade, as illustrated in Figure 3. Conflict of interest

5. Conclusion The authors affirm that they do not have any competing
interests.
The present study supports the notion that a decreased
level of testosterone serves as a critical risk biomarker for Author contributions
CRC pathogenesis. The examination of such biomarkers Conceptualization: Mohd Younis, Vijaya Anand
contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the Formal Analysis: Parvinder Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar Digra
relevance of efficient diagnosis and early screening. Investigation: Mohd Younis, Vijaya Anand
Therefore, further molecular and genetic investigations are Methodology: Ashma Gupta, Arun Meyyazhagan
needed to determine the specific role of testosterone in the Writing – original draft: Mohd Younis
human colonic mucosa. Writing – review & editing: Sevgi Gezici, Amrit Sudershan

Acknowledgments Ethics approval and consent to participate
The authors are very grateful to all the patients, family The study procedure and institutional human ethical
members, and patient support groups for their active clearance were obtained from the Bharathiar University
participation and cooperation during the course of the Human Ethical Committee (Ethical Reference No.
research study. The authors also thank the hospitals, clinical, BUHEC-006/2018), and the Helsinki Declaration was
and research fraternity for joining hands together to solve followed throughout the study.

Volume 2 Issue 3 (2023) 7 https://doi.org/10.36922/gpd.1082