Interplay between two hormone-independent activation domains in the androgen receptor

The androgen receptor (AR) plays a key role in prostate cancer development, as well as its treatments, even for the hormone-refractory state. Here, we report that an earlier described lysine-to-arginine mutation at position 179 in AR leads to a more potent AR. We show that two activation domains (Tau-1 and Tau-5) are necessary and sufficient for the full activity of AR and the intrinsic activity of the AR-NTD. Two alpha-helices surrounding the Lys179 define the core of Tau-1, which can act as an autonomous activation function, independent of p160 coactivators. Furthermore, we show that although the recruitment of p160 coactivators is mediated through Tau-5, this event is attenuated by core Tau-1. This better definition of the mechanisms of action of both Tau-1 and Tau-5 is instrumental for the design of alternative therapeutic strategies against prostate cancer.