[Mutation analysis of the androgen receptor gene in a complete androgen insensitivity syndrome family]

Abstract

Objective: To study the mutation of the androgen receptor gene in a family with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome and to explore the pathogenicity of the mutation.

Methods: PCR and DNA sequencing were performed to study the AR gene mutation; Mbo I restriction endonuclease was used to detect existence of the mutation in normal controls; conservation of the mutation site was analyzed by comparison of the sequence of amino acid among different species.

Results: The DNA sequence of the three patients contained the same substitution of a single nucleotide on codon 681 GAG to GAT of exon 4, which located in the ligand binding domain of the AR receptor and led to substitution of glutamic acid to aspartic acid in the AR receptor. Their mother was heterozygote of E681D. E681D was not observed in the normal controls. The E681 site was extremely conservative in different species.

Conclusion: The E681D mutation of the AR gene is a novel mutation of leading to complete androgen insensitivity syndrome.