Highlights d SLNCR-AR complexes drive melanoma growth and invasion d SLNCR-AR complexes are recruited to EGR1-bound loci d SLCNR-AR-EGR1 complexes regulate transcription of proliferative genes d EGR1 normally activates p21; SLNCR-AR-EGR1 complexes repress p21

Highlights d The N-terminal region of AR binds unstructured RNA in a sequence-specific manner d An unstructured lncRNA region scaffolds an invasionpromoting transcription complex d An identified AR RNA-binding motif is predictive of other lncRNA-AR interactions d Sterically blocking the SLNCR-AR interaction blocks melanoma invasion