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AR

Domain

Composed of three domains: a modulating N-terminal domain, a DNA-binding domain and a C-terminal ligand-binding domain. In the presence of bound steroid the ligand-binding domain interacts with the N-terminal modulating domain, and thereby activates AR transcription factor activity. Agonist binding is required for dimerization and binding to target DNA. The transcription factor activity of the complex formed by ligand-activated AR and DNA is modulated by interactions with coactivator and corepressor proteins (PubMed:25091737). Interaction with RANBP9 is mediated by both the N-terminal domain and the DNA-binding domain. Interaction with EFCAB6/DJBP is mediated by the DNA-binding domain.

Function

Steroid hormone receptors are ligand-activated transcription factors that regulate eukaryotic gene expression and affect cellular proliferation and differentiation in target tissues (PubMed:19022849). Transcription factor activity is modulated by bound coactivator and corepressor proteins like ZBTB7A that recruits NCOR1 and NCOR2 to the androgen response elements/ARE on target genes, negatively regulating androgen receptor signaling and androgen-induced cell proliferation (PubMed:20812024). Transcription activation is also down-regulated by NR0B2. Activated, but not phosphorylated, by HIPK3 and ZIPK/DAPK3.

Isoform 3

Lacks the C-terminal ligand-binding domain and may therefore constitutively activate the transcription of a specific set of genes independently of steroid hormones.

Isoform 4

Lacks the C-terminal ligand-binding domain and may therefore constitutively activate the transcription of a specific set of genes independently of steroid hormones.

Involvement in disease

Androgen insensitivity syndrome

AIS

An X-linked recessive form of pseudohermaphroditism due end-organ resistance to androgen. Affected males have female external genitalia, female breast development, blind vagina, absent uterus and female adnexa, and abdominal or inguinal testes, despite a normal 46,XY karyotype.

None

The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry.

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy X-linked 1

SMAX1

An X-linked recessive form of spinal muscular atrophy. Spinal muscular atrophy refers to a group of neuromuscular disorders characterized by degeneration of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord, leading to symmetrical muscle weakness and atrophy. SMAX1 occurs only in men. Age at onset is usually in the third to fifth decade of life, but earlier involvement has been reported. It is characterized by slowly progressive limb and bulbar muscle weakness with fasciculations, muscle atrophy, and gynecomastia. The disorder is clinically similar to classic forms of autosomal spinal muscular atrophy.

None

The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Caused by trinucleotide CAG repeat expansion. In SMAX1 patients the number of Gln ranges from 38 to 62. Longer expansions result in earlier onset and more severe clinical manifestations of the disease.

Defects in AR may play a role in metastatic prostate cancer. The mutated receptor stimulates prostate growth and metastases development despite of androgen ablation. This treatment can reduce primary and metastatic lesions probably by inducing apoptosis of tumor cells when they express the wild-type receptor.

Androgen insensitivity, partial

PAIS

A disorder that is characterized by hypospadias, hypogonadism, gynecomastia, genital ambiguity, normal XY karyotype, and a pedigree pattern consistent with X-linked recessive inheritance. Some patients present azoospermia or severe oligospermia without other clinical manifestations.

None

The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry.

Hypospadias 1, X-linked

HYSP1

A common malformation in which the urethra opens on the ventral side of the penis, due to developmental arrest of urethral fusion. The opening can be located glandular, penile, or even more posterior in the scrotum or perineum. Hypospadias is a feature of several syndromic disorders, including the androgen insensitivity syndrome and Opitz syndrome.

None

The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry.

Post-translational modifications

Sumoylated on Lys-388 (major) and Lys-521. Ubiquitinated. Deubiquitinated by USP26. 'Lys-6' and 'Lys-27'-linked polyubiquitination by RNF6 modulates AR transcriptional activity and specificity.

Phosphorylated in prostate cancer cells in response to several growth factors including EGF. Phosphorylation is induced by c-Src kinase (CSK). Tyr-535 is one of the major phosphorylation sites and an increase in phosphorylation and Src kinase activity is associated with prostate cancer progression. Phosphorylation by TNK2 enhances the DNA-binding and transcriptional activity and may be responsible for androgen-independent progression of prostate cancer. Phosphorylation at Ser-83 by CDK9 regulates AR promoter selectivity and cell growth. Phosphorylation by PAK6 leads to AR-mediated transcription inhibition.

Palmitoylated by ZDHHC7 and ZDHHC21. Palmitoylation is required for plasma membrane targeting and for rapid intracellular signaling via ERK and AKT kinases and cAMP generation.

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the nuclear hormone receptor family. NR3 subfamily.

Tissue specificity

Isoform 2

Mainly expressed in heart and skeletal muscle.

Isoform 3

Expressed in basal and stromal cells of the prostate (at protein level).

Cellular localization

  • Nucleus
  • Cytoplasm
  • Detected at the promoter of target genes (PubMed:25091737). Predominantly cytoplasmic in unligated form but translocates to the nucleus upon ligand-binding. Can also translocate to the nucleus in unligated form in the presence of RACK1.

Alternative names

  • Androgen receptor
  • Dihydrotestosterone receptor
  • Nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 4
  • AR
  • DHTR
  • NR3C4

Target type

Proteins

Primary research area

Epigenetics

Other research areas

  • Oncology

Molecular weight

99188Da