Androgen receptor gene mutations in 46,XY females with germ cell tumours

We present clinical findings and molecular characterization in two patients previously diagnosed as 46,XY female gonadal dysgenesis with germ cell tum our. Both patients showed a female general phenotype with unambiguously fem ale external genitalia and primary amenorrhoea compatible with complete and rogen insensitivity syndrome. The first patient, at the age of 31 years, de veloped a dysgerminoma measuring 8 x 13 x 10 cm in one abdominal testis, Ge netic analysis revealed a single nucleotide substitution on exon 4 in the h ormone-binding domain of the androgen receptor (AR) gene, resulting in a ch ange of codon 681 GAG (glutamic acid) to AAG (lysine), The second patient, at the age of 17 years, developed a dysgerminoma measuring 12 x 10 x 7 cm i n one abdominal testis and gonadoblastoma in the other testis, Genetic anal ysis showed a point mutation on exon 3 in the DNA-binding domain of the AR gene resulting in a change of codon 607 CGA (arginine) to CAA (glutamine). Arg607-Gln and Arg608-Lys point mutations in the DNA-binding domain of the AR gene have been associated with male breast cancer in partial androgen in sensitivity syndrome. A codon 607 mutation in the DNA-binding domain of the AR gene in our patient 2 is associated with early development of germ cell tumour. We suggest regular molecular genetic analysis of the AR gene in 46 ,XY females with germ cell tumour and androgen insensitivity syndrome to de tect differences in the specific regions of AR gene involved in early progr ession toward oncogenesis of the dysgenetic gonads.