Testosterone acts through membrane protein GPRC6A to cause cardiac edema in zebrafish embryos
Androgen actions are classically thought to be mediated by nuclear androgen receptors, but they can also exert non-genomic effects via binding to integral membrane proteins. Here, Vahid found 3 androgens that cause developmental phenotypes in zebrafish embryos. Using genetic approaches (a wicked cool CRISPR F0 screen), Vahid found that testosterone causes cardiac phenotypes not through the canonical nuclear androgen receptor, but rather through GPRC6A, a G protein-coupled receptor. These results provide evidence that GPRC6A acts as an androgen receptor in vivo. We are so proud of Vahid for taking on this project and leading it to success!
Gorelick Lab 