Gli2, a transcription factor in the Hedgehog pathway, is overexpressed in castrate-resistant prostate cancer (PCa). Previously we showed that Gli2 overexpression increased transcriptional activity of androgen receptor (AR) and conferred androgen growth-independence to normally growth-dependent PCa cells. Here we localized the regions of AR-Gli2 protein interaction and determined the domains within Gli2 needed for AR co-activation.

Co-immunoprecipitation and GST-pulldown assays were used to define AR-Gli binding domains. Co-activation assays using androgen-responsive promoter reporters were used to define Gli2 regions needed for AR co-activation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were used to confirm nuclear interactions of Gli2 with AR in PCa cells.

The Gli2 C-terminal domain (CTD) is sufficient for AR co-activation. Two elements within the CTD were required: (1) an AR binding domain within aa628-897; and (2) at least part of the Gli2 transactivation domain within aa1252-1586. In turn, Gli2 binds the tau5/AF5 ligand-independent activation domain in the AR N-terminus. Mutations in the WxxLF motif in tau5/AF5 greatly diminished binding to Gli2-CTD. Gli2 interaction with AR tau5/AF5 was further substantiated by the ability of Gli2/Gli2-CTD to co-activate truncated AR splice variants (AR-V7/ARV567es). ChIP assays confirmed that Gli2 associates with chromatin at androgen response elements found near androgen-responsive genes in LNCaP cells. These assays also showed that AR associates with chromatin containing a Gli-response element near a Gli-responsive gene.

Our findings indicate that Gli2 overexpression in PCa cells might support development of castration resistant PCa through AR co-activation and suggests that AR might modulate transcription from Gli2.