Unfaithfulness and promiscuity of a mutant androgen receptor in a hormone-refractory prostate cancer

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2006 Feb;63(4):487-97. doi: 10.1007/s00018-005-5471-y.

Abstract

Missense mutations in the androgen receptor (AR) contribute to the failure of hormonal therapy for prostate cancer (PCa), but the underlying molecular bases remain uncharacterized. Here, we describe a new AR variant found in a hormone-refractory metastatic PCa, in which threonine 575 in the DNA binding domain, and threonine 877 in the ligand-binding domain, were both replaced by an alanine. Using gene reporter assays, we demonstrate that the T575A mutation weakened transcriptional activity from promoters containing AR-specific responsive elements, while activity from promoters with AR-non-specific elements was enhanced. Data from gel shift experiments revealed a preferential binding of the T575A mutant to AR-non-specific motifs. We demonstrate that the two mutations T575A and T877A cooperate to confer new functional properties on the AR, and that the mutant AR functions simultaneously as a promiscuous AR due to the T877A mutation, and an unfaithful AR due to the T575A mutation.

MeSH terms

  • Androgen Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Flutamide / pharmacology
  • Genes, Reporter / genetics
  • Humans
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mutation
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Receptors, Androgen / genetics*
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism
  • Response Elements / genetics
  • Steroids / pharmacology
  • Threonine / genetics*

Substances

  • Androgen Antagonists
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Steroids
  • Threonine
  • Flutamide
  • Luciferases