The androgen receptor (AR) is a ligand-responsive transcription factor, belonging to the class of steroid receptors. AR mutations have been associated with various X-linked diseases, characterized by complete or partial resistance to androgens. To further analyse the molecular mechanism of action of the AR, we have produced the human AR in HeLa cells with a Vaccinia virus expression system. Binding studies on infected HeLa cells demonstrate that the recombinant AR interacts specifically and with high affinity with natural and synthetic androgens. In a gel retardation assay the partially purified AR specifically recognizes an androgen response element of the rat prostatic binding protein gene. Moreover, the recombinant AR activates transcription in vitro from a synthetic promoter construct containing glucocorticoid response elements (GRE).