The androgen receptor facilitates inhibition of human dopamine transporter (DAT1) reporter gene expression by HESR1 and HESR2 via the variable number of tandem repeats

► Deletion of the VNTR in the DAT reporter gene increase its expression. ► HESR1 and HESR2 inhibit the reporter gene expression via the VNTR. ► The androgen receptor facilitates the inhibition of the DAT reporter by HESRs.