ABI1 regulates transcriptional activity of Androgen Receptor by novel DNA and AR binding mechanism

Transcription regulates key functions of living organisms in normal and disease states, including cell growth and development, embryonic and adult tissue organization, and tumor progression. Here we identify a novel mechanism of transcriptional regulation by an actin regulatory and signaling protein, Abelson Interactor 1 (ABI1). Using prostate cancer models, we uncover a reciprocal regulation between ABI1 and the Androgen Receptor (AR). ABI1 is a direct, androgen-regulated target; in turn, ABI1 interacts with AR and its splice variant ARv7, and co-regulates a subset of specific transcriptional targets. ABI1 directs transcription through transient yet well-defined interaction of its intrinsically disordered region with DNA. Clinical evaluation shows that the ABI1-DNA binding (through Exon 4 splicing) and ABI1-AR interaction are regulated during androgen deprivation therapy and prostate cancer progression, thus controlling tumor plasticity through connecting actin cytoskeleton and cellular signaling to transcriptional regulation. We propose ABI1 as epigenetic regulator of transcriptional homeostasis in AR-driven cancers. Statement of importanceThis study describes fundamental discovery in prostate cancer identifying novel mechanism of transcription by unique DNA binding mechanism involving actin cytoskeleton regulatory protein ABI1. ABI1-DNA binding activity predicts survival of prostate cancer patients. Moreover, we discover ABI1-AR reciprocal regulation that has far reaching implications for tumor plasticity and androgen-sensitive pathogenesis.