Five novel androgen receptor gene mutations associated with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome

Mutations in the androgen receptor (AR) gene result in androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). We have identified five novel mutations that result in a complete loss in AR function and are associated with complete AIS. The mutations span all three AR major functional domains. In two cases, the loss of AR function could be explained on the basis of the current knowledge of AR molecular structure and function. N-terminal mutation c.256C>T (p.Gln86X) leads to an early stop codon and abolishes all DNA and ligand binding. The DNA-binding domain mutation c.1685G>A (p.Cys562Tyr) is located in the N-terminal part of the first zinc finger; a mutation in this position is likely to impair the association of the mutated AR with the androgen response element of target genes. The splice site mutation at intron 2/exon 3 junction (c.1766-1G>A) is shown to lead to c.1765_1766 ins69 (p.[Gly589_Lys590ins23;Gly589Glu]). The two novel ligand-binding domain mutations identified were recreated by site-directed mutagenesis. Both mutations c.2171G>T (p.Gly724Val) and c.2435T>C (p.Leu812Pro) abolished AR ligand binding and severely impaired AR mediated transactivation. Residue p.Gly724 is located in the ligand binding domain, between helices 3 and 4. This region is known to be involved not only in ligand binding but also in AR N/C-terminal interactions. The mutation p.Leu812Pro is located in the C-terminal end of helix 8. This domain is highly conserved and critical for ligand binding. This study extends current understanding of AR mutations associated with CAIS.     

完全型雄激素不敏感综合征雄激素受体基因突变分析

目的 对完全型雄激素不敏感综合征一家系雄激素受体(androgen receptor,AR)基因进行突变检测;并对发现突变的基因进行分析.方法 应用PCR扩增、DNA序列测定等技术分析所有AR基因外显子及其邻近DNA序列片段;应用核苷酸内切酶诊断方法观察其是否存在于正常人群;应用跨物种比对方法探讨突变所在位置的保守性.结果 3例患者AR基因第4外显子均发生E681D(GAG→GAT)错义突变,患者母亲为此突变杂合子携带者;患者父亲未见异常;正常人群未发现AR基因E681D突变;681位谷氨酸在不同物种间高度保守.结论 AR基因E681D(GAG→GAT)突变可能是导致完全型雄激素不敏感综合征新的突变方式.     

DNA linkage analysis and studies of the androgen receptor gene in a large kindred with complete androgen insensitivity

DNA linkage analysis of the X chromosome and studies with cDNA probes specific for the androgen receptor gene were performed on the largest known kindred with the syndrome of complete androgen insensitivity. The affected subjects (XY) have absent binding of dihydrotestosterone to the androgen receptor (the receptor negative form of androgen insensitivity). In this kindred there was maternal transmission of the gene, with all affected males expressing complete genital feminization. Linkage analysis studies were conducted with two DNA probes, DXS1 and PGK1, localized to the Xq11-Xq13 region of the long arm of the X chromosome near the centromere. The results demonstrate linkage to the markers in the order of DXS1-(AR; PGK1), thus localizing the AR gene to an area between Xq11 and Xq13. Three cDNA probes that span various parts of the androgen receptor gene, including the DNA and steroid binding domain, were used to evaluate the androgen receptor gene in normal individuals, carrier mothers, and affected subjects. Identical restriction fragment patterns were found in all three groups studied. Thus the androgen receptor gene was present in affected subjects without detectable DNA polymorphism at the androgen binding domain. Therefore, despite complete absence of binding to the androgen receptor, the defect in the androgen receptor gene in this kindred is not the result of a gene deletion. The results point to a mutation or a small insertion/deletion as the probable cause of the syndrome.     

Extreme androgen resistance in a kindred with a novel insertion/deletion mutation in exon 5 of the androgen receptor gene

Androgen insensitivy syndrome (AIS) is the most frequent cause of male pseudohermaphroditism resulting from target-organ resistance to androgen action. Individuals bearing the complete form of the disease (CAIS) present a female phenotype and a lack of pubic and axillary hair. In the present study, four 46,XY patients born in two generations from a kindred with a history of AIS were examined for genetic abnormalities in the androgen receptor gene (AR). All eight exons encoding the AR protein were individually amplified from genomic DNA followed by a mutation screening with single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis. Sequencing of the mutant AR revealed a novel insertion/deletion mutation in exon 5. A deletion of 7 bp is replaced by an insertion of 11 nucleotides, which represents a duplication of the adjacent downstream sequence. The mutation g.2640_2646delAGGATGC/2652_2662insTTCGCCCCTGA, results in a frameshift that introduces a premature termination signal TGA, nine codons downstream. Such a rearrangement predicts a truncation of the AR, thereby deleting a large portion of the ligand-binding domain (amino acid position 768–919). Furthermore, although this mutation breaks the translational reading frame starting from codon 760, examination of the complementary DNA suggested that it does not disturb mRNA splicing. These changes have been found in all the patients and appear to account for the observed absence of detectable androgen binding to the AR in cultured fibroblasts and for the CAIS phenotype in the kindred. This disorder represents the first insertion/deletion mutation of the AR that probably arose by a slipped-strand mispairing mechanism.     

雄激素受体基因新突变引起的完全型雄激素不敏感综合征

目的 对1例完全型雄激素不敏感综合征(complete androgen insensitivity syndrom,CAIS)的雄激素受体(androgen receptor,AR)基因进行分析,寻找致病突变.方法 提取外周血全基因组DNA,扩增位于X染色体上的AR基因所有8个外显子及邻近外显子与内含子之间的剪切位点DNA序列,对扩增片段直接进行DNA序列测定,与基因库中的序列进行比对.结果 该病例AR基因第1外显子的441位密码子发生无义突变(GAA→TAA),由编码谷氨酸(Glu)变为终止密码,导致雄激素受体蛋白翻译至441位时终止,产生没有功能的氨基酸多肽残段.结论 Glu441stop(GAA→TAA)是一种导致CAIS的AR基因新的突变方式,之前在世界范围内均未见报道,丰富了AR基因突变谱,增加对CAIS发病机制的了解.     

雄激素受体基因新突变引起的完全型雄激素不敏感综合征

目的 对1例完全型雄激素不敏感综合征(complete androgen insensitivity syndrom,CAIS)的雄激素受体(androgen receptor,AR)基因进行分析,寻找致病突变.方法 提取外周血全基因组DNA,扩增位于X染色体上的AR基因所有8个外显子及邻近外显子与内含子之间的剪切位点DNA序列,对扩增片段直接进行DNA序列测定,与基因库中的序列进行比对.结果 该病例AR基因第1外显子的441位密码子发生无义突变(GAA→TAA),由编码谷氨酸(Glu)变为终止密码,导致雄激素受体蛋白翻译至441位时终止,产生没有功能的氨基酸多肽残段.结论 Glu441stop(GAA→TAA)是一种导致CAIS的AR基因新的突变方式,之前在世界范围内均未见报道,丰富了AR基因突变谱,增加对CAIS发病机制的了解.

Abstract：

Objective To identify the mutation of human androgen receptor gene(AR) in a patient with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS). Methods DNA sequences of 8 exons and their exon/intron boundaries of the AR gene in the patient were amplified by PCR and directly sequenced. Results DNA sequencing revealed a nonsense mutation in exon 1, resulting in a change of codon 441 GAA (glutamic acid) to a stop codon (TAA). Conclusion A novel mutation Glu441stop (GAA to TAA) of the androgen receptor gene leading to complete androgen insensitivity syndrome was identified in this study in a Chinese patient. It may help us further understanding the pathogenesis of CAIS.     

雄激素受体基因新突变引起的完全型雄激素不敏感综合征

目的 对1例完全型雄激素不敏感综合征(complete androgen insensitivity syndrom,CAIS)的雄激素受体(androgen receptor,AR)基因进行分析,寻找致病突变.方法 提取外周血全基因组DNA,扩增位于X染色体上的AR基因所有8个外显子及邻近外显子与内含子之间的剪切位点DNA序列,对扩增片段直接进行DNA序列测定,与基因库中的序列进行比对.结果 该病例AR基因第1外显子的441位密码子发生无义突变(GAA→TAA),由编码谷氨酸(Glu)变为终止密码,导致雄激素受体蛋白翻译至441位时终止,产生没有功能的氨基酸多肽残段.结论 Glu441stop(GAA→TAA)是一种导致CAIS的AR基因新的突变方式,之前在世界范围内均未见报道,丰富了AR基因突变谱,增加对CAIS发病机制的了解.     

一种导致完全性雄激素不敏感综合征的AR基因移码突变的鉴定

目的 对1个男性假两性畸形完全性雄激素不敏感综合征的家系雄激素受体(androgen receptor,AR)基因进行突变检测,并分析其致病原因.方法 用PCR扩增及DNA测序等技术分析男性假两性畸形先证者候选基因AR的外显子及外显子内含子接头序列,根据检测到的突变位点情况,检测患者及其家系其他成员的相应DNA区段的碱基序列.结果 先证者及其家庭成员共3例患者均为AR基因1910delA的移码突变.其母亲为AR基因突变杂合子,是此疾病的携带者.该突变导致AR基因的N637I(AAU→AUC)、L638*(CTG→TGA)改变,导致AR蛋白283个氨基酸的截短.正常人群未发现该移码突变,该突变尚未见文献报道.结论 基因水平确定了该家系为AR基因突变引起的完全性雄激素不敏感综合征男性假两性畸形家系,同时发现了1种AR基因病理性新突变.     

Novel molecular defects in the androgen receptor gene of Mexican patients with androgen insensitivity

The androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) is an X-linked form of male pseudohermaphroditism caused by mutations in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. In the present study, we analyzed the AR gene in 8 patients, 4 sporadic and 2 familial cases with the syndrome, using exon-specific polymerase chain reaction, single-stranded conformational polymorphism and sequencing analysis and identified six new single base mutations, including one nonsense mutation at the hinge region of the receptor. These molecular lesions occurred in the steroid-binding domain (SBD) and all but one affected the first nucleotide of their respective codons. A nonsense mutation in exon 4, which converts a glutamine into a premature termination signal (Q657stop), a missense mutation changing arginine instead of glycine (G743R) and a conservative substitution of leucine with valine at amino acid 830 (L830V) were detected in patients with CAIS. Three other missense mutations located in exons 4 (L701I), 5 (A765S), and 6 (Q802R) were present in individuals bearing a partial form of AIS. These data allow us to reaffirm the view that nonsense mutations in the AR results almost invariably in a CAIS phenotype and underly the importance of the SBD for the AR functional activity.     

Novel androgen receptor gene mutations in Australian patients with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome

We have identified androgen receptor (AR) gene mutations in eight Australian subjects with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS). Four individuals, from three families, have novel mutations that introduce premature termination codons. Two siblings have the nonsense mutation Glu681X, and another subject has the nonsense mutation p.Ser884X. The other subject has a CA insertion at codon 829 (c.2847_2848insCA), causing a frameshift mutation that introduces four nonsense amino acids prior to a Stop codon. All the termination codons occur in the ligand binding domain, and cause reduced androgen binding in patient genital skin fibroblasts. Four further patients have missense mutations. One subject has two different mutations, p.Ala645Asp in the hinge region of the receptor, and p.Arg752Gln in the ligand binding domain. Both these mutations have previously been reported in patients with AIS, but the combination of these two mutations in one subject is unique. Another subject has a novel c.2533G>C transversion at the first nucleotide in exon 5, introducing the amino acid change p.Gly724Ala at a highly conserved residue in the ligand binding domain. Androgen binding is normal in fibroblasts from this subject, although other point mutations at this amino acid totally abolish binding. Two other subjects have mutations previously described as causing AIS, namely p.Arg779Trp and p.Val889Met substitutions in the ligand binding domain of the receptor. The p.Arg779Trp mutation is associated with the detection of a truncated AR protein in this patient's fibroblasts, suggesting the mutation renders the receptor susceptible to proteolysis.     

Decrease in androgen binding and effect of androgen treatment in a case of X-linked bulbospinal neuronopathy

X-linked recessive bulbospinal neuronopathy is a motoneuron disorder to be distinguished from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Effective treatment is not known. Patients with X-linked recessive bulbospinal neuronopathy may show gynecomastia and testicular atrophy, and a mutation in the androgen receptor gene has been found associated with the disease. Intermediate steps leading from the androgen receptor abnormality to the clinical syndrome have not yet been elucidated. Therefore, binding of androgen ([³H]dihydrotestosterone) to its specific receptor by genital skin fibroblasts cultured from a patient with X-linked recessive bulbospinal neuronopathy and confirmed androgen receptor mutation was studied. Markedly decreased binding capacity was found. We treated the patient for 6 months with nandrolone-decanoate. No effect on his neuromuscular status was observed during 2 years of follow-up.Abbreviations AR androgen receptor - BSN X-linked recessive bulbospinal neuronopathy     

Molecular analysis of familial androgen insensitivity syndrome due to replacement of glutamic acid 802 by lysine

We studied a Japanese family presenting at least two cases of complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) and negative androgen receptor binding. The index subject showed a 46, XY karyotype and a complete female phenotype. For the purpose of further diagnosis and genetic counseling, molecular analysis of the androgen receptor (AR) gene was performed. Direct sequencing of the AR gene identified a mutation at nucleotide 2935 (A → G). This replacement was a novel missense mutation, resulting in the substitution of glutamic acid 802 by lysine which deleted a recognition site for EcoRI in exon 6 of the AR gene. We identified another affected individual, using chromosome and molecular analysis of the AR gene at exon 6. Furthermore, although heterozygote carriers could not be identified on clinical grounds, molecular identification of healthy individuals and heterozygote carriers in the family members provided definitive information for genetic counseling. We believe that the molecular analysis of familial CAIS is very informative for both the affected individuals and other family members. Received: July 31, 2000 / Accepted: August 31, 2000     

雄激素受体基因剪接受点突变G3346→T引起一例完全型雄激素不敏感综合征

目的－探讨完全型雄素不敏感综合征（complete androgen insensitivity syndrome,cAIS)发病的分子机理,并研究雄激素受体（androgen receptor,AR)结构,功能及其与临床表现的关系。方法 用银染聚合酶链反应－单链构象多态性（polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism,PCR-SSCP)及PCR产物直接测序的方法,对1例完全型AIS患者AR基因外显子B－H分别进行了研究。结果 外显子F片段在SSCP分析时有泳动变位,经测序,突变发生在内含子5与外显子F交界处G^3346→T,结论 为首例发现的AR基因剪接受点突变,GU－AG的高度保守对于维持AR的正常功能非常重要。     

Analysis of exon 1 mutations in the androgen receptor gene

Eleven mutations in exon 1 of the androgen receptor gene (AR) have been identified in 15 individuals with Androgen Insensitivity syndrome (AIS). Nine of the mutations yield a stop codon directly, or due to a frameshift, in individuals with complete AIS (CAIS). One individual with CAIS had three different mutations in exon 1: one is nominally silent (Glu 211; GAG 995 GAA); two are missense (Pro 390 Arg and Glu 443 Arg). Five unrelated individuals with either CAIS, partial AIS (PAIS) or mild AIS (MAIS) had GAG 995 GAA as their only alteration. This report almost doubles the number of exon 1 mutations stored in the AR Mutation Database, reinforces their highly predominant nonsense character, and identifies Pro 390 and/or Gln 443 as residues that are probably necessary for one or more specific functions of the AR's N-terminal transactivation domain.     

雄激素及其受体与多囊卵巢综合征

多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)是育龄期妇女常见的一种内分泌代谢性疾病,发病率为5%~10%,其发病机制尚未完全阐明。高雄激素血症是PCOS的突出特点,尤其是卵巢局部的高雄激素环境是导致PCOS的关键原因,因此对高雄激素形成这一特征性改变的研究成为阐明PCOS病因的重点所在。雄激素主要通过激活雄激素受体(AR)来发挥作用,故AR的作用不容忽视,我们着重就雄激素和AR在PCOS发病中的作用作一综述。     

A novel point mutation (R840S) in the androgen receptor in a Brazilian family with partial androgen insensitivity syndrome

Mutations of the androgen receptor gene causing androgen insensitivity syndrome in 46, XY individuals, result in phenotypes ranging from complete female to ambiguous genitalia to males with minor degrees of undervirilization. We studied two Brazilian brothers with partial androgen insensitivity syndrome. They were born with perineal hypospadias, bifid scrotum, small penis and cryptorchidism, and developed gynecomastia at puberty. Genomic DNA was extracted and denaturinggradient gel electrophoresis of exon 7 of the androgen receptor gene followed by sequence analysis revealed a new mutation, a C A transversion, altering codon 840 from arginine (CGT) to serine (AGT). R840 is located in the androgen binding domain, in a “hot spot” region, important for the formation and function of the hormone receptor‐complex and within the region that is involved in androgen receptor dimerization. Replacement of arginine (basic) by serine (neutral and polar) is a nonconservative substitution. Three mutations in this residue (R840C, R840G nonconservative and R840H, conservative) were previously reported in patients with partial androgen insensitivity syndrome and when expressed “in vitro” lead to a subnormal transactivation of a reporter gene. We conclude that the novel R840 mutation in the androgen receptor is the cause of partial androgen insensitivity syndrome in this Brazilian family. Hum Mutat 14:353, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Rapid detection of a mutation hot-spot in the human androgen receptor

Mutations of the human androgen receptor gene may disturb sexual development in males, and are inherited as an X-linked recessive trait. The vast majority of the mutations are familial. We have identified a large kindred with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) without detectable androgen-binding in genital skin fibroblasts. A single nucleotide substitution (C-to-T transition) was identified, resulting in an Arg⁸⁵⁵ to Cys in the androgen binding domain. To date, four independent CAIS families have been reported with this specific mutation that coincides with the propensity of cytosines at CpG dinucleotides to methylate. An allele-specific oligo-nucleotide assay was developed that allowed for the rapid and specific identification of this mutation hot-spot in individuals with androgen receptor incensitivity syndromes.