A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
The androgen receptor depends on ligand-binding domain dimerization for transcriptional activation
Authors: El Kharraz Sarah, Dubois Vanessa, van Royen Martin E, Houtsmuller Adriaan B, Pavlova Ekaterina, Atanassova Nina, Nguyen Tien, Voet Arnout, Eerlings Roy, Handle Florian, Prekovic Stefan, Smeets Elien, Moris Lisa, Devlies Wout, Ohlsson Claes, Poutanen Matti, Verstrepen Kevin J, Carmeliet Geert, Launonen Kaisa-Mari, Helminen Laura, Palvimo Jorma J, Libert Claude, Vanderschueren Dirk, Helsen Christine, Claessens Frank
Publisher: WILEY
Publication year: 2021
Journal: EMBO Reports
Journal name in source: EMBO REPORTS
Journal acronym: EMBO REP
Article number: ARTN e52764
Number of pages: 19
ISSN: 1469-221X
eISSN: 1469-3178
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15252/embr.202152764
Web address : https://doi.org/10.15252/embr.202152764
Whereas dimerization of the DNA-binding domain of the androgen receptor (AR) plays an evident role in recognizing bipartite response elements, the contribution of the dimerization of the ligand-binding domain (LBD) to the correct functioning of the AR remains unclear. Here, we describe a mouse model with disrupted dimerization of the AR LBD (AR(Lmon/Y)). The disruptive effect of the mutation is demonstrated by the feminized phenotype, absence of male accessory sex glands, and strongly affected spermatogenesis, despite high circulating levels of testosterone. Testosterone replacement studies in orchidectomized mice demonstrate that androgen-regulated transcriptomes in AR(Lmon/Y) mice are completely lost. The mutated AR still translocates to the nucleus and binds chromatin, but does not bind to specific AR binding sites. In vitro studies reveal that the mutation in the LBD dimer interface also affects other AR functions such as DNA binding, ligand binding, and co-regulator binding. In conclusion, LBD dimerization is crucial for the development of AR-dependent tissues through its role in transcriptional regulation in vivo. Our findings identify AR LBD dimerization as a possible target for AR inhibition.
