Structural Perspectives on the Androgen Receptor, the Elusive Shape-Shifter
August 2024
in “
Steroids
”
Studysummary This review summarizes structural insights into androgen receptor dynamics, highlighting its flexibility in binding numerous partners, which may explain adaptive resistance mutations in cancer and loss of function in androgen insensitivity syndrome. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The androgen receptor (AR) is a nuclear receptor involved in male secondary sex characteristics and various diseases, including prostate cancer and androgenic alopecia. AR's structure includes two intrinsically disordered regions and two ordered domains, allowing it to bind a wide range of ligands and partners. Mutations in AR can lead to drug resistance in prostate cancer by widening the ligand binding domain, enabling promiscuous binding. AR's structural plasticity is crucial for its function and adaptability, but can also contribute to disease states. Further structural and biochemical studies are needed to fully understand AR's complex regulation.
