Functional characterisation of a natural androgen receptor missense mutation (N771H) causing human androgen insensitivity syndrome

Discovery of an AKT Degrader with Prolonged Inhibition of Downstream Signaling

The PI3K/AKT signaling cascade is one of the most commonly dysregulated pathways in cancer, with over half of tumors exhibiting aberrant AKT activation. Although potent small-molecule AKT inhibitors have entered clinical trials, robust and durable therapeutic responses have not been observed. As an alternative strategy to target AKT, we report the development of INY-03-041, a pan-AKT degrader consisting of the ATP-competitive AKT inhibitor GDC-0068 conjugated to lenalidomide, a recruiter of the E3 ubiquitin ligase substrate adaptor Cereblon (CRBN). INY-03-041 induced potent degradation of all three AKT isoforms and displayed enhanced anti-proliferative effects relative to GDC-0068. Notably, INY-03-041 promoted sustained AKT degradation and inhibition of downstream signaling effects for up to 96 h, even after compound washout. Our findings suggest that AKT degradation may confer prolonged pharmacological effects compared with inhibition, and highlight the potential advantages of AKT-targeted degradation.

Genetic diagnosis and genetic counseling for androgen-insensitivity syndrome: a report of three cases

AIM

In order to verify androgen-insensitivity syndrome (AIS) for three individuals and their mothers, genetic diagnosis was performed after genetic counseling.

METHODS

Polymerase chain reaction analysis was used for each exon of the androgen receptor (AR Xq11-q12) gene. The amplified DNA fragments were detected by gel electrophoresis. The DNA fragments were sequenced and their sequences were compared with those in a database (The Androgen Receptor Gene Mutations Database World Wide Web Server).

RESULTS

A missense mutation was identified in exon 7 in case 1, deletions of exons 1 and 2 were identified in case 2, and a nonsense mutation was identified in the triplet repeat region of exon 1 in case 3. The mothers of the patients were also verified to be carriers of the mutations.

CONCLUSION

Genetic diagnosis is a very useful method for diagnosing AIS. However, genetic counseling, including emotional support for the mother, is an essential component of genetic diagnosis.

Analyzing effects of naturally occurring missense mutations

Single-point mutation in genome, for example, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) or rare genetic mutation, is the change of a single nucleotide for another in the genome sequence. Some of them will produce an amino acid substitution in the corresponding protein sequence (missense mutations); others will not. This paper focuses on genetic mutations resulting in a change in the amino acid sequence of the corresponding protein and how to assess their effects on protein wild-type characteristics. The existing methods and approaches for predicting the effects of mutation on protein stability, structure, and dynamics are outlined and discussed with respect to their underlying principles. Available resources, either as stand-alone applications or webservers, are pointed out as well. It is emphasized that understanding the molecular mechanisms behind these effects due to these missense mutations is of critical importance for detecting disease-causing mutations. The paper provides several examples of the application of 3D structure-based methods to model the effects of protein stability and protein-protein interactions caused by missense mutations as well.