1
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Vázquez-Domínguez I, Anido AA, Duijkers L, Hoppenbrouwers T, Hoogendoorn AM, Koster C, Collin RJ, Garanto A. Efficacy, biodistribution and safety comparison of chemically modified antisense oligonucleotides in the retina. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:10447-10463. [PMID: 39119918 PMCID: PMC11417397 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) are a versatile tool for treating inherited retinal diseases. However, little is known about how different chemical modifications of AONs can affect their biodistribution, toxicity, and uptake in the retina. Here, we addressed this question by comparing splice-switching AONs with three different chemical modifications commonly used in a clinical setting (2'O-methyl-phosphorothioate (2-OMe/PS), 2'O-methoxyethyl-phosphoriate (2-MOE/PS), and phosphorodiamidite morpholino oligomers (PMO)). These AONs targeted genes exclusively expressed in certain types of retinal cells. Overall, studies in vitro and in vivo in C57BL/6J wild-type mouse retinas showed that 2-OMe/PS and 2-MOE/PS AONs have comparable efficacy and safety profiles. In contrast, octa-guanidine-dendrimer-conjugated in vivo PMO-oligonucleotides (ivPMO) caused toxicity. This was evidenced by externally visible ocular phenotypes in 88.5% of all ivPMO-treated animals, accompanied by severe alterations at the morphological level. However, delivery of unmodified PMO-AONs did not cause any toxicity, although it clearly reduced the efficacy. We conducted the first systematic comparison of different chemical modifications of AONs in the retina. Our results showed that the same AON sequence with different chemical modifications displayed different splicing modulation efficacies, suggesting the 2'MOE/PS modification as the most efficacious in these conditions. Thereby, our work provides important insights for future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alejandro Allo Anido
- Radboud university medical center, Department of Human Genetics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lonneke Duijkers
- Radboud university medical center, Department of Human Genetics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tamara Hoppenbrouwers
- Radboud university medical center, Department of Human Genetics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anita D M Hoogendoorn
- Radboud university medical center, Amalia Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Céline Koster
- Departments of Human Genetics and Ophthalmology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rob W J Collin
- Radboud university medical center, Department of Human Genetics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Garanto
- Radboud university medical center, Department of Human Genetics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Radboud university medical center, Amalia Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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2
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Lin TC, Tsai CH, Shiau CK, Huang JH, Tsai HK. Predicting splicing patterns from the transcription factor binding sites in the promoter with deep learning. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:830. [PMID: 39227799 PMCID: PMC11373144 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10667-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alternative splicing is a pivotal mechanism of post-transcriptional modification that contributes to the transcriptome plasticity and proteome diversity in metazoan cells. Although many splicing regulations around the exon/intron regions are known, the relationship between promoter-bound transcription factors and the downstream alternative splicing largely remains unexplored. RESULTS In this study, we present computational approaches to unravel the regulatory relationship between promoter-bound transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) and the splicing patterns. We curated a fine dataset that includes DNase I hypersensitive site sequencing and transcriptomes across fifteen human tissues from ENCODE. Specifically, we proposed different representations of TF binding context and splicing patterns to examine the associations between the promoter and downstream splicing events. While machine learning models demonstrated potential in predicting splicing patterns based on TFBS occupancies, the limitations in the generalization of predicting the splicing forms of singleton genes across diverse tissues was observed with carefully examination using different cross-validation methods. We further investigated the association between alterations in individual TFBS at promoters and shifts in exon splicing efficiency. Our results demonstrate that the convolutional neural network (CNN) models, trained on TF binding changes in the promoters, can predict the changes in splicing patterns. Furthermore, a systemic in silico substitutions analysis on the CNN models highlighted several potential splicing regulators. Notably, using empirical validation using K562 CTCFL shRNA knock-down data, we showed the significant role of CTCFL in splicing regulation. CONCLUSION In conclusion, our finding highlights the potential role of promoter-bound TFBSs in influencing the regulation of downstream splicing patterns and provides insights for discovering alternative splicing regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Chieh Lin
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hung Tsai
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Kai Shiau
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Hsin Huang
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
- Taiwan AI Labs & Foundation, Taipei, 10351, Taiwan.
| | - Huai-Kuang Tsai
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
- Taiwan AI Labs & Foundation, Taipei, 10351, Taiwan.
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3
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Kong C, Yin G, Wang X, Sun Y. In Utero Gene Therapy and its Application in Genetic Hearing Loss. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2024:e2400193. [PMID: 39007241 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202400193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
For monogenic genetic diseases, in utero gene therapy (IUGT) shows the potential for early prevention against irreversible and lethal pathological changes. Moreover, animal models have also demonstrated the effectiveness of IUGT in the treatment of coagulation disorders, hemoglobinopathies, neurogenetic disorders, and metabolic and pulmonary diseases. For major alpha thalassemia and severe osteogenesis imperfecta, in utero stem cell transplantation has entered the phase I clinical trial stage. Within the realm of the inner ear, genetic hearing loss significantly hampers speech, cognitive, and intellectual development in children. Nowadays, gene therapies offer substantial promise for deafness, with the success of clinical trials in autosomal recessive deafness 9 using AAV-OTOF gene therapy. However, the majority of genetic mutations that cause deafness affect the development of cochlear structures before the birth of fetuses. Thus, gene therapy before alterations in cochlear structure leading to hearing loss has promising applications. In this review, addressing advances in various fields of IUGT, the progress, and application of IUGT in the treatment of genetic hearing loss are focused, in particular its implementation methods and unique advantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyang Kong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Ge Yin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
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4
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Duarte DM, da Silva Lima MB, Sepodes B. Trends from two decades of orphan designations in paediatric rare neuromuscular diseases. J Neurol Sci 2024; 460:122989. [PMID: 38581740 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.122989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Rare diseases are characterized by substantial unmet need mostly because the majority have limited, or no treatment options and a large number also affect children. Since the inception of EU orphan regulation in 2000 the European Medicines Agency Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products has received several applications for paediatric rare neuromuscular diseases (PERAN) however treatment options remain limited. Here we discuss the results form an observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study to characterize the currently authorised orphan medicinal products (OMP) and orphan designations (OD) given to products for PERAN in the last two decades. In the EU about half of PERAN diseases have at least one active OD approved since 2000, and about half of these are for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The large majority of PERAN diseases do not have an authorised medicine with only 6 OMP currently authorised for Spinal muscular atrophy (3); DMD (1) and Myasthenia gravis (2). One in five products have inactive or discontinued regulatory development but clinical trials are ongoing for the vast majority of PERAN diseases, and more than half are in the final stage of clinical research with significantly more products with medical plausibility based in clinical data reaching advanced stages in clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinah M Duarte
- INFARMED, National Authority of Medicines and Health Products, I.P.Lisboa, Portugal.
| | | | - Bruno Sepodes
- Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia, Lisbon, Portugal
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5
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Nguyen L. RNA therapeutics for neurological disease. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 203:165-180. [PMID: 38359997 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Neurological disorders are the group of diseases that primarily affect the center nervous system, which could lead to a significant negative impact on the ability of learning new skills, speaking, breathing, walking, judging, making decision, and other essential living skills. In the last decade, neurological disorders have significantly increased their impact to our community and become the one of leading causes of disability and death. The World Health Organization has identified neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease and other dementia as the health crisis for the modern life. Tremendous ongoing research efforts focus on understanding of disease genetics, molecular mechanisms and developing therapeutic interventions. Because of the urgent need of the effective therapeutics and the recent advances in the toolkits and understanding for developing more drug-like RNA molecules, there is a growing interest for developing RNA therapeutics for neurological disorders. This article will discuss genetics and mechanisms of neurological disorders and how RNA-based molecules have been used to develop therapeutics for this group of diseases, challenges of RNA therapeutics and future perspectives on this rising therapeutic intervention tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Nguyen
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Cancer Genetics Research Complex (CGRC), Gainesville, FL, United States.
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6
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Hainzl S, Trattner L, Liemberger B, Bischof J, Kocher T, Ablinger M, Nyström A, Obermayer A, Klausegger A, Guttmann-Gruber C, Wally V, Bauer JW, Hofbauer JP, Koller U. Splicing Modulation via Antisense Oligonucleotides in Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:761. [PMID: 38255836 PMCID: PMC10815346 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25020761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) represent an emerging therapeutic platform for targeting genetic diseases by influencing various aspects of (pre-)mRNA biology, such as splicing, stability, and translation. In this study, we investigated the potential of modulating the splicing pattern in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) patient cells carrying a frequent genomic variant (c.425A > G) that disrupts splicing in the COL7A1 gene by using short 2'-O-(2-Methoxyethyl) oligoribo-nucleotides (2'-MOE ASOs). COL7A1-encoded type VII collagen (C7) forms the anchoring fibrils within the skin that are essential for the attachment of the epidermis to the underlying dermis. As such, gene variants of COL7A1 leading to functionally impaired or absent C7 manifest in the form of extensive blistering and wounding. The severity of the disease pattern warrants the development of novel therapies for patients. The c.425A > G variant at the COL7A1 exon 3/intron 3 junction lowers the efficiency of splicing at this junction, resulting in non-functional C7 transcripts. However, we found that correct splicing still occurs, albeit at a very low level, highlighting an opportunity for intervention by modulating the splicing reaction. We therefore screened 2'-MOE ASOs that bind along the COL7A1 target region ranging from exon 3 to the intron 3/exon 4 junction for their ability to modulate splicing. We identified ASOs capable of increasing the relative levels of correctly spliced COL7A1 transcripts by RT-PCR, sqRT-PCR, and ddPCR. Furthermore, RDEB-derived skin equivalents treated with one of the most promising ASOs exhibited an increase in full-length C7 expression and its accurate deposition along the basement membrane zone (BMZ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Hainzl
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Lisa Trattner
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Bernadette Liemberger
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Johannes Bischof
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Thomas Kocher
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Michael Ablinger
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Alexander Nyström
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany;
| | - Astrid Obermayer
- Core Facility of Electron Microscopy, Department of Environment & Biodiversity, Paris Lodron University Salzburg (PLUS Salzburg), 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Alfred Klausegger
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Christina Guttmann-Gruber
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Verena Wally
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Johann W. Bauer
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria;
| | - Josefina Piñón Hofbauer
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
| | - Ulrich Koller
- EB House Austria, Research Program for Molecular Therapy of Genodermatoses, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; (S.H.); (L.T.); (B.L.); (J.B.); (T.K.); (M.A.); (A.K.); (C.G.-G.); (V.W.); (J.P.H.)
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7
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Collotta D, Bertocchi I, Chiapello E, Collino M. Antisense oligonucleotides: a novel Frontier in pharmacological strategy. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1304342. [PMID: 38044945 PMCID: PMC10690781 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1304342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are short single stranded synthetic RNA or DNA molecules, whereas double-stranded RNA nucleotide sequences are called small interfering RNA (siRNA). ASOs bind to complementary nucleic acid sequences impacting the associated functions of the targeted nucleic acids. They represent an emerging class of drugs that, through a revolutionary mechanism of action, aim to directly regulate disease-causing genes and their variants, providing an alternative tool to traditional "protein-specific" therapies. The majority of the ASOs are designed to treat orphan genetic disorders that in most of the cases are seriously disabling and still lacking an adequate therapy. In order to translate ASOs into clinical success, constant technological advances have been instrumental in overcoming several pharmacological, toxicological and formulation limitations. Accordingly, chemical structures have been recently implemented and new bio-conjugation and nanocarriers formulation strategies explored. The aim of this work is to offer an overview of the antisense technology with a comparative analysis of the oligonucleotides approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Collotta
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - I. Bertocchi
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - E. Chiapello
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - M. Collino
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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8
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Li A, Bouhss A, Clément MJ, Bauvais C, Taylor JP, Bollot G, Pastré D. Using the structural diversity of RNA: protein interfaces to selectively target RNA with small molecules in cells: methods and perspectives. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1298441. [PMID: 38033386 PMCID: PMC10687564 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1298441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, RNA has gained traction both as a therapeutic molecule and as a therapeutic target in several human pathologies. In this review, we consider the approach of targeting RNA using small molecules for both research and therapeutic purposes. Given the primary challenge presented by the low structural diversity of RNA, we discuss the potential for targeting RNA: protein interactions to enhance the structural and sequence specificity of drug candidates. We review available tools and inherent challenges in this approach, ranging from adapted bioinformatics tools to in vitro and cellular high-throughput screening and functional analysis. We further consider two critical steps in targeting RNA/protein interactions: first, the integration of in silico and structural analyses to improve the efficacy of molecules by identifying scaffolds with high affinity, and second, increasing the likelihood of identifying on-target compounds in cells through a combination of high-throughput approaches and functional assays. We anticipate that the development of a new class of molecules targeting RNA: protein interactions to prevent physio-pathological mechanisms could significantly expand the arsenal of effective therapeutic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aixiao Li
- Synsight, Genopole Entreprises, Evry, France
| | - Ahmed Bouhss
- Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM U1204, Université d’Évry, Structure-Activité des Biomolécules Normales et Pathologiques (SABNP), Evry, France
| | - Marie-Jeanne Clément
- Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM U1204, Université d’Évry, Structure-Activité des Biomolécules Normales et Pathologiques (SABNP), Evry, France
| | | | - J. Paul Taylor
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
| | | | - David Pastré
- Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM U1204, Université d’Évry, Structure-Activité des Biomolécules Normales et Pathologiques (SABNP), Evry, France
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9
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Khalifah BA, Alghamdi SA, Alhasan AH. Unleashing the potential of catalytic RNAs to combat mis-spliced transcripts. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1244377. [PMID: 38047291 PMCID: PMC10690607 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1244377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human transcriptome can undergo RNA mis-splicing due to spliceopathies contributing to the increasing number of genetic diseases including muscular dystrophy (MD), Alzheimer disease (AD), Huntington disease (HD), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Intron retention (IR) is a major inducer of spliceopathies where two or more introns remain in the final mature mRNA and account for many intronic expansion diseases. Potential removal of such introns for therapeutic purposes can be feasible when utilizing bioinformatics, catalytic RNAs, and nano-drug delivery systems. Overcoming delivery challenges of catalytic RNAs was discussed in this review as a future perspective highlighting the significance of utilizing synthetic biology in addition to high throughput deep sequencing and computational approaches for the treatment of mis-spliced transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashayer A. Khalifah
- Institute for Bioengineering, Health Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Faculty of Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Ali H. Alhasan
- Institute for Bioengineering, Health Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Science and General Studies, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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10
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Pino MG, Rich KA, Hall NJ, Jones ML, Fox A, Musier-Forsyth K, Kolb SJ. Heterogeneous splicing patterns resulting from KIF5A variants associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:3166-3180. [PMID: 37593923 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the gene encoding Kinesin Family Member 5A (KIF5A), a neuronal motor protein involved in anterograde transport along microtubules, have been associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a rapidly progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects the motor neurons. Numerous ALS-associated KIF5A SNVs are clustered near the splice-site junctions of the penultimate exon 27 and are predicted to alter the carboxy-terminal (C-term) cargo-binding domain of KIF5A. Mis-splicing of exon 27, resulting in exon exclusion, is proposed to be the mechanism by which these SNVs cause ALS. Whether all SNVs proximal to exon 27 result in exon exclusion is unclear. To address this question, we designed an in vitro minigene splicing assay in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, which revealed heterogeneous site-specific effects on splicing: only 5' splice-site (5'ss) SNVs resulted in exon skipping. We also quantified splicing in select clustered, regularly interspaced, short palindromic repeats-edited human stem cells, differentiated to motor neurons, and in neuronal tissues from a 5'ss SNV knock-in mouse, which showed the same result. Moreover, the survival of representative 3' splice site, 5'ss, and truncated C-term variant KIF5A (v-KIF5A) motor neurons was severely reduced compared with wild-type motor neurons, and overt morphological changes were apparent. While the total KIF5A mRNA levels were comparable across the cell lines, the total KIF5A protein levels were decreased for v-KIF5A lines, suggesting an impairment of protein synthesis or stability. Thus, despite the heterogeneous effect on ribonucleic acid splicing, KIF5A SNVs similarly reduce the availability of the KIF5A protein, leading to axonal transport defects and motor neuron pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan G Pino
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Kelly A Rich
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Nicholas J Hall
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Meredith L Jones
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Ashley Fox
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Karin Musier-Forsyth
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Stephen J Kolb
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
- Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
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11
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Luo Z, Zhang Y, Saleh QW, Zhang J, Zhu Z, Tepel M. Metabolic regulation of forkhead box P3 alternative splicing isoforms and their impact on health and disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1278560. [PMID: 37868998 PMCID: PMC10588449 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1278560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Forkhead Box P3 (FOXP3) is crucial for the development and suppressive function of human regulatory T cells (Tregs). There are two predominant FOXP3 splicing isoforms in healthy humans, the full-length isoform and the isoform lacking exon 2, with different functions and regulation mechanisms. FOXP3 splicing isoforms show distinct abilities in the cofactor interaction and the nuclear translocation, resulting in different effects on the differentiation, cytokine secretion, suppressive function, linage stability, and environmental adaptation of Tregs. The balance of FOXP3 splicing isoforms is related to autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancers. In response to environmental challenges, FOXP3 transcription and splicing can be finely regulated by T cell antigen receptor stimulation, glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, and reactive oxygen species, with various signaling pathways involved. Strategies targeting energy metabolism and FOXP3 splicing isoforms in Tregs may provide potential new approaches for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and cancers. In this review, we summarize recent discoveries about the FOXP3 splicing isoforms and address the metabolic regulation and specific functions of FOXP3 splicing isoforms in Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhidan Luo
- Department of Geriatrics, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Yihua Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Chongqing Fifth People’s Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Qais Waleed Saleh
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Nephrology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Chongqing General Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhiming Zhu
- Department of Hypertension and Endocrinology, Daping Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Martin Tepel
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Nephrology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
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12
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Lui A, Patel RS, Krause-Hauch M, Sparks RP, Patel NA. Regulation of Human Sortilin Alternative Splicing by Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP1) in Adipocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14324. [PMID: 37762628 PMCID: PMC10531797 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease with no cure. Adipose tissue is a major site of systemic insulin resistance. Sortilin is a central component of the glucose transporter -Glut4 storage vesicles (GSV) which translocate to the plasma membrane to uptake glucose from circulation. Here, using human adipocytes we demonstrate the presence of the alternatively spliced, truncated sortilin variant (Sort_T) whose expression is significantly increased in diabetic adipose tissue. Artificial-intelligence-based modeling, molecular dynamics, intrinsically disordered region analysis, and co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated association of Sort_T with Glut4 and decreased glucose uptake in adipocytes. The results show that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) hormone decreases Sort_T. We deciphered the molecular mechanism underlying GLP1 regulation of alternative splicing of human sortilin. Using splicing minigenes and RNA-immunoprecipitation assays, the results show that GLP1 regulates Sort_T alternative splicing via the splice factor, TRA2B. We demonstrate that targeted antisense oligonucleotide morpholinos reduces Sort_T levels and improves glucose uptake in diabetic adipocytes. Thus, we demonstrate that GLP1 regulates alternative splicing of sortilin in human diabetic adipocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Lui
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (A.L.); (M.K.-H.)
| | - Rekha S. Patel
- Research Service, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (R.S.P.); (R.P.S.)
| | - Meredith Krause-Hauch
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (A.L.); (M.K.-H.)
| | - Robert P. Sparks
- Research Service, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (R.S.P.); (R.P.S.)
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Niketa A. Patel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (A.L.); (M.K.-H.)
- Research Service, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; (R.S.P.); (R.P.S.)
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13
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Nagasawa CK, Garcia-Blanco MA. Early Splicing Complexes and Human Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11412. [PMID: 37511171 PMCID: PMC10379813 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, our understanding of spliceosome structure and function has significantly improved, refining the study of the impact of dysregulated splicing on human disease. As a result, targeted splicing therapeutics have been developed, treating various diseases including spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. These advancements are very promising and emphasize the critical role of proper splicing in maintaining human health. Herein, we provide an overview of the current information on the composition and assembly of early splicing complexes-commitment complex and pre-spliceosome-and their association with human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe K. Nagasawa
- Human Pathophysiology and Translational Medicine Program, Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-5302, USA;
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-5302, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903-2628, USA
| | - Mariano A. Garcia-Blanco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-5302, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903-2628, USA
- Institute of Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-5302, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-5302, USA
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14
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Wang H, Su Y, Chen D, Li Q, Shi S, Huang X, Fang M, Yang M. Advances in the mechanisms and applications of inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotides against immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1119431. [PMID: 36825156 PMCID: PMC9941346 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1119431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) are short single-stranded DNA, which capable of folding into complex structures, enabling them to bind to a large variety of targets. With appropriate modifications, the inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotides exhibited many features of long half-life time, simple production, low toxicity and immunogenicity. In recent years, inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotides have received considerable attention for their potential therapeutic applications in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). Inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotides could be divided into three categories according to its mechanisms and targets, including antisense ODNs (AS-ODNs), DNA aptamers and immunosuppressive ODNs (iSup ODNs). As a synthetic tool with immunomodulatory activity, it can target RNAs or proteins in a specific way, resulting in the reduction, increase or recovery of protein expression, and then regulate the state of immune activation. More importantly, inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotides have been used to treat immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases. Several inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotide drugs have been developed and approved on the market already. These drugs vary in their chemical structures, action mechanisms and cellular targets, but all of them could be capable of inhibiting excessive inflammatory responses. This review summarized their chemical modifications, action mechanisms and applications of the three kinds of inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotidesin the precise treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongrui Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yingying Su
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Duoduo Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Shuyou Shi
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Mingli Fang
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China,*Correspondence: Mingli Fang, ; Ming Yang,
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China,*Correspondence: Mingli Fang, ; Ming Yang,
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15
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Qin J, Huang T, Wang Z, Zhang X, Wang J, Dang Q, Cui D, Wang X, Zhai Y, Zhao L, Lu G, Shao C, Li S, Liu H, Liu Z. Bud31-mediated alternative splicing is required for spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:184-194. [PMID: 36114296 PMCID: PMC9883385 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-01057-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is tightly regulated during cell differentiation and development. AS events are prevalent in the testis, but the splicing regulation in spermatogenesis remains unclear. Here we report that the spliceosome component Bud31 plays a crucial role during spermatogenesis in mice. Germ cell-specific knockout of Bud31 led to loss of spermatogonia and to male infertility. We further demonstrate that Bud31 is required for both spermatogonial stem cell pool maintenance and the initiation of spermatogenesis. SMART-seq revealed that deletion of Bud31 in germ cells causes widespread exon-skipping and intron retention. Particularly, we identified Cdk2 as one of the direct splicing targets of Bud31, knockout of Bud31 resulted in retention of the first intron of Cdk2, which led to a decrease in Cdk2 expression. Our findings suggest that Bud31-mediated AS within spermatogonial stem cells regulates the self-renewal and differentiation of male germ cells in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junchao Qin
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tao Huang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zixiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qianli Dang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Donghai Cui
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yunjiao Zhai
- Advanced Medical Research Institute, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Gang Lu
- CUHK-SDU Joint Laboratory on Reproductive Genetics, School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Changshun Shao
- Institutes for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Shiyang Li
- Advanced Medical Research Institute, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongbin Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
| | - Zhaojian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
- Advanced Medical Research Institute, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
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16
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Lee SH, Ng CX, Wong SR, Chong PP. MiRNAs Overexpression and Their Role in Breast Cancer: Implications for Cancer Therapeutics. Curr Drug Targets 2023; 24:484-508. [PMID: 36999414 DOI: 10.2174/1389450124666230329123409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs have a plethora of roles in various biological processes in the cells and most human cancers have been shown to be associated with dysregulation of the expression of miRNA genes. MiRNA biogenesis involves two alternative pathways, the canonical pathway which requires the successful cooperation of various proteins forming the miRNA-inducing silencing complex (miRISC), and the non-canonical pathway, such as the mirtrons, simtrons, or agotrons pathway, which bypasses and deviates from specific steps in the canonical pathway. Mature miRNAs are secreted from cells and circulated in the body bound to argonaute 2 (AGO2) and miRISC or transported in vesicles. These miRNAs may regulate their downstream target genes via positive or negative regulation through different molecular mechanisms. This review focuses on the role and mechanisms of miRNAs in different stages of breast cancer progression, including breast cancer stem cell formation, breast cancer initiation, invasion, and metastasis as well as angiogenesis. The design, chemical modifications, and therapeutic applications of synthetic anti-sense miRNA oligonucleotides and RNA mimics are also discussed in detail. The strategies for systemic delivery and local targeted delivery of the antisense miRNAs encompass the use of polymeric and liposomal nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles, as well as viral vectors and viruslike particles (VLPs). Although several miRNAs have been identified as good candidates for the design of antisense and other synthetic modified oligonucleotides in targeting breast cancer, further efforts are still needed to study the most optimal delivery method in order to drive the research beyond preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sau Har Lee
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- Centre for Drug Discovery and Molecular Pharmacology (CDDMP), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chu Xin Ng
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sharon Rachel Wong
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Pei Pei Chong
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
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17
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Karagyaur M, Primak A, Efimenko A, Skryabina M, Tkachuk V. The Power of Gene Technologies: 1001 Ways to Create a Cell Model. Cells 2022; 11:cells11203235. [PMID: 36291103 PMCID: PMC9599997 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern society faces many biomedical challenges that require urgent solutions. Two of the most important include the elucidation of mechanisms of socially significant diseases and the development of prospective drug treatments for these diseases. Experimental cell models are a convenient tool for addressing many of these problems. The power of cell models is further enhanced when combined with gene technologies, which allows the examination of even more subtle changes within the structure of the genome and permits testing of proteins in a native environment. The list and possibilities of these recently emerging technologies are truly colossal, which requires a rethink of a number of approaches for obtaining experimental cell models. In this review, we analyze the possibilities and limitations of promising gene technologies for obtaining cell models, and also give recommendations on the development and creation of relevant models. In our opinion, this review will be useful for novice cell biologists, as it provides some reference points in the rapidly growing universe of gene and cell technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Karagyaur
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27/10, Lomonosovsky Ave., 119192 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27/1, Lomonosovsky Ave., 119192 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence:
| | - Alexandra Primak
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27/1, Lomonosovsky Ave., 119192 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia Efimenko
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27/10, Lomonosovsky Ave., 119192 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27/1, Lomonosovsky Ave., 119192 Moscow, Russia
| | - Mariya Skryabina
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27/1, Lomonosovsky Ave., 119192 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vsevolod Tkachuk
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27/10, Lomonosovsky Ave., 119192 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27/1, Lomonosovsky Ave., 119192 Moscow, Russia
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18
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Hatch ST, Smargon AA, Yeo GW. Engineered U1 snRNAs to modulate alternatively spliced exons. Methods 2022; 205:140-148. [PMID: 35764245 PMCID: PMC11185844 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing accounts for a considerable portion of transcriptomic diversity, as most protein-coding genes are spliced into multiple mRNA isoforms. However, errors in splicing patterns can give rise to mis-splicing with pathological consequences, such as the congenital diseases familial dysautonomia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and spinal muscular atrophy. Small nuclear RNA (snRNA) components of the U snRNP family have been proposed as a therapeutic modality for the treatment of mis-splicing. U1 snRNAs offer great promise, with prior studies demonstrating in vivo efficacy, suggesting additional preclinical development is merited. Improvements in enabling technologies, including screening methodologies, gene delivery vectors, and relevant considerations from gene editing approaches justify further advancement of U1 snRNA as a therapeutic and research tool. With the goal of providing a user-friendly protocol, we compile and demonstrate a methodological toolkit for sequence-specific targeted perturbation of alternatively spliced pre-mRNA with engineered U1 snRNAs. We observe robust modulation of endogenous pre-mRNA transcripts targeted in two contrasting splicing contexts, SMN2 exon 7 and FAS exon 6, exhibiting the utility and applicability of engineered U1 snRNA to both inclusion and exclusion of targeted exons. We anticipate that these demonstrations will contribute to the usability of U1 snRNA in investigating splicing modulation in eukaryotic cells, increasing accessibility to the broader research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel T Hatch
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, USA; Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Aaron A Smargon
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, USA; Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gene W Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, USA; Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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19
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Vázquez-Domínguez I, Li CHZ, Fadaie Z, Haer-Wigman L, Cremers FPM, Garanto A, Hoyng CB, Roosing S. Identification of a Complex Allele in IMPG2 as a Cause of Adult-Onset Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:27. [PMID: 35608844 PMCID: PMC9150824 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.5.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Inherited retinal diseases are a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders with approximately 270 genes involved. IMPG2 is associated with adult-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy. Here, we investigated two unrelated patients with vitelliform macular dystrophy to identify the underlying genetic cause. Methods Whole-exome sequencing identified a putative causal complex allele consisting of c.3023-15T>A and c.3023G>A (p.(Gly1008Asp)) in IMPG2 in both individuals. To assess its effect, in vitro splice assays in HEK293T and further characterization in patient-derived photoreceptor precursor cells (PPCs) were conducted. Results The results of the midigene splice assays in HEK293T showed that the complex allele causes a variety of splicing defects ranging from a small deletion to (multiple-)exon skipping. This finding was further validated using patient-derived PPCs that showed a significant increase of out-of-frame transcripts lacking one or multiple exons compared to control-derived PPCs. Overall, control PPCs consistently showed low levels of aberrantly spliced IMPG2 transcripts that were highly elevated in patient-derived PPCs. These differences were even more obvious upon inhibition of nonsense-mediated decay with cycloheximide. Conclusions We report a heterozygous complex allele in IMPG2 causative for adult-onset vitelliform macular dystrophy in two unrelated individuals with mild visual loss and bilateral vitelliform lesions. The predicted causal missense mutation c.3023G>A, located in the consensus splice acceptor site, enhances the splicing effect of the upstream variant c.3023-15T>A, leading to the generation of aberrant transcripts that decrease the full-length IMPG2 levels. These results suggest a haploinsufficiency mechanism of action and highlight the complementarity of using different models to functionally assesses splicing defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Vázquez-Domínguez
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Catherina H. Z. Li
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Zeinab Fadaie
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Lonneke Haer-Wigman
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Frans P. M. Cremers
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Garanto
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Amalia Children's Hospital and Radboud Institute of Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Carel B. Hoyng
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Susanne Roosing
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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20
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Yu L, Majerciak V, Zheng ZM. HPV16 and HPV18 Genome Structure, Expression, and Post-Transcriptional Regulation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094943. [PMID: 35563334 PMCID: PMC9105396 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a group of small non-enveloped DNA viruses whose infection causes benign tumors or cancers. HPV16 and HPV18, the two most common high-risk HPVs, are responsible for ~70% of all HPV-related cervical cancers and head and neck cancers. The expression of the HPV genome is highly dependent on cell differentiation and is strictly regulated at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Both HPV early and late transcripts differentially expressed in the infected cells are intron-containing bicistronic or polycistronic RNAs bearing more than one open reading frame (ORF), because of usage of alternative viral promoters and two alternative viral RNA polyadenylation signals. Papillomaviruses proficiently engage alternative RNA splicing to express individual ORFs from the bicistronic or polycistronic RNA transcripts. In this review, we discuss the genome structures and the updated transcription maps of HPV16 and HPV18, and the latest research advances in understanding RNA cis-elements, intron branch point sequences, and RNA-binding proteins in the regulation of viral RNA processing. Moreover, we briefly discuss the epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and possible APOBEC-mediated genome editing in HPV infections and carcinogenesis.
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21
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Yépez VA, Gusic M, Kopajtich R, Mertes C, Smith NH, Alston CL, Ban R, Beblo S, Berutti R, Blessing H, Ciara E, Distelmaier F, Freisinger P, Häberle J, Hayflick SJ, Hempel M, Itkis YS, Kishita Y, Klopstock T, Krylova TD, Lamperti C, Lenz D, Makowski C, Mosegaard S, Müller MF, Muñoz-Pujol G, Nadel A, Ohtake A, Okazaki Y, Procopio E, Schwarzmayr T, Smet J, Staufner C, Stenton SL, Strom TM, Terrile C, Tort F, Van Coster R, Vanlander A, Wagner M, Xu M, Fang F, Ghezzi D, Mayr JA, Piekutowska-Abramczuk D, Ribes A, Rötig A, Taylor RW, Wortmann SB, Murayama K, Meitinger T, Gagneur J, Prokisch H. Clinical implementation of RNA sequencing for Mendelian disease diagnostics. Genome Med 2022; 14:38. [PMID: 35379322 PMCID: PMC8981716 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-022-01019-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lack of functional evidence hampers variant interpretation, leaving a large proportion of individuals with a suspected Mendelian disorder without genetic diagnosis after whole genome or whole exome sequencing (WES). Research studies advocate to further sequence transcriptomes to directly and systematically probe gene expression defects. However, collection of additional biopsies and establishment of lab workflows, analytical pipelines, and defined concepts in clinical interpretation of aberrant gene expression are still needed for adopting RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in routine diagnostics. METHODS We implemented an automated RNA-seq protocol and a computational workflow with which we analyzed skin fibroblasts of 303 individuals with a suspected mitochondrial disease that previously underwent WES. We also assessed through simulations how aberrant expression and mono-allelic expression tests depend on RNA-seq coverage. RESULTS We detected on average 12,500 genes per sample including around 60% of all disease genes-a coverage substantially higher than with whole blood, supporting the use of skin biopsies. We prioritized genes demonstrating aberrant expression, aberrant splicing, or mono-allelic expression. The pipeline required less than 1 week from sample preparation to result reporting and provided a median of eight disease-associated genes per patient for inspection. A genetic diagnosis was established for 16% of the 205 WES-inconclusive cases. Detection of aberrant expression was a major contributor to diagnosis including instances of 50% reduction, which, together with mono-allelic expression, allowed for the diagnosis of dominant disorders caused by haploinsufficiency. Moreover, calling aberrant splicing and variants from RNA-seq data enabled detecting and validating splice-disrupting variants, of which the majority fell outside WES-covered regions. CONCLUSION Together, these results show that streamlined experimental and computational processes can accelerate the implementation of RNA-seq in routine diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente A. Yépez
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Informatics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
- Quantitative Biosciences Munich, Department of Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
| | - Mirjana Gusic
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Robert Kopajtich
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Christian Mertes
- Department of Informatics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Nicholas H. Smith
- Department of Informatics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Charlotte L. Alston
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH UK
- NHS Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP UK
| | - Rui Ban
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing, China
| | - Skadi Beblo
- Department of Women and Child Health, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Center for Pediatric Research Leipzig (CPL), Center for Rare Diseases, University Hospitals, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Riccardo Berutti
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Holger Blessing
- Department for Inborn Metabolic Diseases, Children’s and Adolescents’ Hospital, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Elżbieta Ciara
- Department of Medical Genetics, Children’s Memorial Health Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Felix Distelmaier
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Peter Freisinger
- Department of Pediatrics, Klinikum Reutlingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Häberle
- University Children’s Hospital Zurich and Children’s Research Centre, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Susan J. Hayflick
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, USA
| | - Maja Hempel
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Yoshihito Kishita
- Diagnostics and Therapeutics of Intractable Diseases, Intractable Disease Research Center, Juntendo University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Thomas Klopstock
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | | | - Costanza Lamperti
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Dominic Lenz
- Division of Neuropediatrics and Pediatric Metabolic Medicine, Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christine Makowski
- Department of Pediatrics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Signe Mosegaard
- Research Unit for Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Michaela F. Müller
- Department of Informatics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Gerard Muñoz-Pujol
- Section of Inborn Errors of Metabolism-IBC, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, CIBERER, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Agnieszka Nadel
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Akira Ohtake
- Department of Pediatrics & Clinical Genomics, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Saitama, Japan
- Center for Intractable Diseases, Saitama Medical University Hospital, Saitama, Japan
| | - Yasushi Okazaki
- Diagnostics and Therapeutics of Intractable Diseases, Intractable Disease Research Center, Juntendo University, Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Elena Procopio
- Inborn Metabolic and Muscular Disorders Unit, Anna Meyer Children Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Thomas Schwarzmayr
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Joél Smet
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolism, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christian Staufner
- Division of Neuropediatrics and Pediatric Metabolic Medicine, Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sarah L. Stenton
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Tim M. Strom
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Caterina Terrile
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Frederic Tort
- Section of Inborn Errors of Metabolism-IBC, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, CIBERER, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rudy Van Coster
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolism, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Arnaud Vanlander
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolism, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Matias Wagner
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Manting Xu
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing, China
| | - Daniele Ghezzi
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Johannes A. Mayr
- University Children’s Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Antonia Ribes
- Section of Inborn Errors of Metabolism-IBC, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS, CIBERER, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Agnès Rötig
- Université de Paris, Institut Imagine, INSERM UMR 1163, Paris, France
| | - Robert W. Taylor
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH UK
- NHS Highly Specialised Services for Rare Mitochondrial Disorders, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP UK
| | - Saskia B. Wortmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- University Children’s Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Amalia Children’s Hospital, Radboudumc Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kei Murayama
- Department of Metabolism, Chiba Children’s Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Thomas Meitinger
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julien Gagneur
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Informatics, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Holger Prokisch
- Institute of Human Genetics, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing, China
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22
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Halloy F, Biscans A, Bujold KE, Debacker A, Hill AC, Lacroix A, Luige O, Strömberg R, Sundstrom L, Vogel J, Ghidini A. Innovative developments and emerging technologies in RNA therapeutics. RNA Biol 2022; 19:313-332. [PMID: 35188077 PMCID: PMC8865321 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2022.2027150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-based therapeutics are emerging as a powerful platform for the treatment of multiple diseases. Currently, the two main categories of nucleic acid therapeutics, antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), achieve their therapeutic effect through either gene silencing, splicing modulation or microRNA binding, giving rise to versatile options to target pathogenic gene expression patterns. Moreover, ongoing research seeks to expand the scope of RNA-based drugs to include more complex nucleic acid templates, such as messenger RNA, as exemplified by the first approved mRNA-based vaccine in 2020. The increasing number of approved sequences and ongoing clinical trials has attracted considerable interest in the chemical development of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids as drugs, especially since the FDA approval of the first siRNA drug in 2018. As a result, a variety of innovative approaches is emerging, highlighting the potential of RNA as one of the most prominent therapeutic tools in the drug design and development pipeline. This review seeks to provide a comprehensive summary of current efforts in academia and industry aimed at fully realizing the potential of RNA-based therapeutics. Towards this, we introduce established and emerging RNA-based technologies, with a focus on their potential as biosensors and therapeutics. We then describe their mechanisms of action and their application in different disease contexts, along with the strengths and limitations of each strategy. Since the nucleic acid toolbox is rapidly expanding, we also introduce RNA minimal architectures, RNA/protein cleavers and viral RNA as promising modalities for new therapeutics and discuss future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Halloy
- Department of Paediatrics, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Annabelle Biscans
- Oligonucleotide Chemistry, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&d, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Katherine E. Bujold
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University, (Ontario), Canada
| | | | - Alyssa C. Hill
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Eth Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Lacroix
- Sixfold Bioscience, Translation & Innovation Hub, London, UK
| | - Olivia Luige
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Roger Strömberg
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Linda Sundstrom
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&d, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jörg Vogel
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (Hiri), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (Hzi), Würzburg, Germany
- RNA Biology Group, Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alice Ghidini
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&d, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
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23
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Gurnari C, Pagliuca S, Visconte V. Alternative Splicing in Myeloid Malignancies. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9121844. [PMID: 34944660 PMCID: PMC8698609 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative RNA splicing (AS) is an essential physiologic function that diversifies the human proteome. AS also has a crucial role during cellular development. In fact, perturbations in RNA-splicing have been implicated in the development of several cancers, including myeloid malignancies. Splicing dysfunction can be independent of genetic lesions or appear as a direct consequence of mutations in components of the RNA-splicing machinery, such as in the case of mutations occurring in splicing factor genes (i.e., SF3B1, SRSF2, U2AF1) and their regulators. In addition, cancer cells exhibit marked gene expression alterations, including different usage of AS isoforms, possibly causing tissue-specific effects and perturbations of downstream pathways. This review summarizes several modalities leading to splicing diversity in myeloid malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmelo Gurnari
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (C.G.); (S.P.)
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Pagliuca
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (C.G.); (S.P.)
| | - Valeria Visconte
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; (C.G.); (S.P.)
- Correspondence:
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24
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Schneider N, Sundaresan Y, Gopalakrishnan P, Beryozkin A, Hanany M, Levanon EY, Banin E, Ben-Aroya S, Sharon D. Inherited retinal diseases: Linking genes, disease-causing variants, and relevant therapeutic modalities. Prog Retin Eye Res 2021; 89:101029. [PMID: 34839010 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.101029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are a clinically complex and heterogenous group of visual impairment phenotypes caused by pathogenic variants in at least 277 nuclear and mitochondrial genes, affecting different retinal regions, and depleting the vision of affected individuals. Genes that cause IRDs when mutated are unique by possessing differing genotype-phenotype correlations, varying inheritance patterns, hypomorphic alleles, and modifier genes thus complicating genetic interpretation. Next-generation sequencing has greatly advanced the identification of novel IRD-related genes and pathogenic variants in the last decade. For this review, we performed an in-depth literature search which allowed for compilation of the Global Retinal Inherited Disease (GRID) dataset containing 4,798 discrete variants and 17,299 alleles published in 31 papers, showing a wide range of frequencies and complexities among the 194 genes reported in GRID, with 65% of pathogenic variants being unique to a single individual. A better understanding of IRD-related gene distribution, gene complexity, and variant types allow for improved genetic testing and therapies. Current genetic therapeutic methods are also quite diverse and rely on variant identification, and range from whole gene replacement to single nucleotide editing at the DNA or RNA levels. IRDs and their suitable therapies thus require a range of effective disease modelling in human cells, granting insight into disease mechanisms and testing of possible treatments. This review summarizes genetic and therapeutic modalities of IRDs, provides new analyses of IRD-related genes (GRID and complexity scores), and provides information to match genetic-based therapies such as gene-specific and variant-specific therapies to the appropriate individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Schneider
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Yogapriya Sundaresan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Prakadeeswari Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Avigail Beryozkin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Mor Hanany
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Erez Y Levanon
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Eyal Banin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel
| | - Shay Ben-Aroya
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, 5290002, Israel
| | - Dror Sharon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91120, Israel.
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25
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A deep learning approach to identify gene targets of a therapeutic for human splicing disorders. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3332. [PMID: 34099697 PMCID: PMC8185002 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23663-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing is a key controller of human gene expression. Disturbances in splicing due to mutation lead to dysregulated protein expression and contribute to a substantial fraction of human disease. Several classes of splicing modulator compounds (SMCs) have been recently identified and establish that pre-mRNA splicing represents a target for therapy. We describe herein the identification of BPN-15477, a SMC that restores correct splicing of ELP1 exon 20. Using transcriptome sequencing from treated fibroblast cells and a machine learning approach, we identify BPN-15477 responsive sequence signatures. We then leverage this model to discover 155 human disease genes harboring ClinVar mutations predicted to alter pre-mRNA splicing as targets for BPN-15477. Splicing assays confirm successful correction of splicing defects caused by mutations in CFTR, LIPA, MLH1 and MAPT. Subsequent validations in two disease-relevant cellular models demonstrate that BPN-15477 increases functional protein, confirming the clinical potential of our predictions.
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26
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Dutta A, Singh KK, Anand A. SpliceViNCI: Visualizing the splicing of non-canonical introns through recurrent neural networks. J Bioinform Comput Biol 2021; 19:2150014. [PMID: 34088258 DOI: 10.1142/s0219720021500141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Most of the current computational models for splice junction prediction are based on the identification of canonical splice junctions. However, it is observed that the junctions lacking the consensus dimers GT and AG also undergo splicing. Identification of such splice junctions, called the non-canonical splice junctions, is also essential for a comprehensive understanding of the splicing phenomenon. This work focuses on the identification of non-canonical splice junctions through the application of a bidirectional long short-term memory (BLSTM) network. Furthermore, we apply a back-propagation-based (integrated gradient) and a perturbation-based (occlusion) visualization techniques to extract the non-canonical splicing features learned by the model. The features obtained are validated with the existing knowledge from the literature. Integrated gradient extracts features that comprise contiguous nucleotides, whereas occlusion extracts features that are individual nucleotides distributed across the sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparajita Dutta
- Department of CSE, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India
| | | | - Ashish Anand
- Department of CSE, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India
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27
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Role of RNA in Molecular Diagnosis of MADD Patients. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9050507. [PMID: 34064479 PMCID: PMC8147995 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The electron-transfer flavoprotein dehydrogenase gene (ETFDH) encodes the ETF-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (ETF-QO) and has been reported to be the major cause of multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD). In this study, we present the clinical and molecular diagnostic challenges, at the DNA and RNA levels, involved in establishing the genotype of four MADD patients with novel ETFDH variants: a missense variant, two deep intronic variants and a gross deletion. RNA sequencing allowed the identification of the second causative allele in all studied patients. Simultaneous DNA and RNA investigation can increase the number of MADD patients that can be confirmed following the suggestive data results of an expanded newborn screening program. In clinical practice, accurate identification of pathogenic mutations is fundamental, particularly with regard to diagnostic, prognostic, therapeutic and ethical issues. Our study highlights the importance of RNA studies for a definitive molecular diagnosis of MADD patients, expands the background of ETFDH mutations and will be important in providing an accurate genetic counseling and a prenatal diagnosis for the affected families.
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28
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Falese JP, Donlic A, Hargrove AE. Targeting RNA with small molecules: from fundamental principles towards the clinic. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:2224-2243. [PMID: 33458725 PMCID: PMC8018613 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01261k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in our understanding of RNA biology have uncovered crucial roles for RNA in multiple disease states, ranging from viral and bacterial infections to cancer and neurological disorders. As a result, multiple laboratories have become interested in developing drug-like small molecules to target RNA. However, this development comes with multiple unique challenges. For example, RNA is inherently dynamic and has limited chemical diversity. In addition, promiscuous RNA-binding ligands are often identified during screening campaigns. This Tutorial Review overviews important considerations and advancements for generating RNA-targeted small molecules, ranging from fundamental chemistry to promising small molecule examples with demonstrated clinical efficacy. Specifically, we begin by exploring RNA functional classes, structural hierarchy, and dynamics. We then discuss fundamental RNA recognition principles along with methods for small molecule screening and RNA structure determination. Finally, we review unique challenges and emerging solutions from both the RNA and small molecule perspectives for generating RNA-targeted ligands before highlighting a selection of the "Greatest Hits" to date. These molecules target RNA in a variety of diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and viral infection, in cellular and animal model systems. Additionally, we explore the recently FDA-approved small molecule regulator of RNA splicing, risdiplam, for treatment of spinal muscular atrophy. Together, this Tutorial Review showcases the fundamental role of chemical and molecular recognition principles in enhancing our understanding of RNA biology and contributing to the rapidly growing number of RNA-targeted probes and therapeutics. In particular, we hope this widely accessible review will serve as inspiration for aspiring small molecule and/or RNA researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Falese
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
| | - Anita Donlic
- Princeton University, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Amanda E Hargrove
- Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, Durham, North Carolina, USA. and Duke University, Department of Chemistry, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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29
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Brahmaiah D, Kanaka Durga Bhavani A, Aparna P, Sampath Kumar N, Solhi H, Le Guevel R, Baratte B, Ruchaud S, Bach S, Singh Jadav S, Raji Reddy C, Roisnel T, Mosset P, Levoin N, Grée R. Discovery of DB18, a potent inhibitor of CLK kinases with a high selectivity against DYRK1A kinase. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 31:115962. [PMID: 33422908 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2020.115962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
We describe in this paper the synthesis of a novel series of anilino-2-quinazoline derivatives. These compounds have been screened against a panel of eight mammalian kinases and in parallel they were tested for cytotoxicity on a representative panel of seven cancer cell lines. One of them (DB18) has been found to be a very potent inhibitor of human "CDC2-like kinases" CLK1, CLK2 and CLK4, with IC50 values in the 10-30 nM range. Interestingly, this molecule is inactive at 100 μM on the closely related "dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase 1A" (DYRK1A). Extensive molecular simulation studies have been performed on the relevant kinases to explain the strong affinity of this molecule on CLKs, as well as its selectivity against DYRK1A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dabbugoddu Brahmaiah
- Chemveda Life Sciences India Pvt. Ltd., #B-11/1, IDA Uppal, Hyderabad 500039, Telangana, India; Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, Kukatpally, Hyderabad 500 085, Telangana, India
| | | | - Pasula Aparna
- Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, Kukatpally, Hyderabad 500 085, Telangana, India
| | | | - Hélène Solhi
- Univ Rennes, Plateform ImPACcell, BIOSIT, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Rémy Le Guevel
- Univ Rennes, Plateform ImPACcell, BIOSIT, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Blandine Baratte
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, FR 2424, Plateforme de criblage KISSf (Kinase Inhibitor Specialized Screening Facility), Station Biologique de Roscoff, CS 90074, 29688 Roscoff Cedex, France; Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR 8227, Integrative Biology of Marine Models Laboratory (LBI2M), Station Biologique de Roscoff, CS 90074, 29688 Roscoff Cedex, France
| | - Sandrine Ruchaud
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR 8227, Integrative Biology of Marine Models Laboratory (LBI2M), Station Biologique de Roscoff, CS 90074, 29688 Roscoff Cedex, France
| | - Stéphane Bach
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, FR 2424, Plateforme de criblage KISSf (Kinase Inhibitor Specialized Screening Facility), Station Biologique de Roscoff, CS 90074, 29688 Roscoff Cedex, France; Sorbonne Université, CNRS, UMR 8227, Integrative Biology of Marine Models Laboratory (LBI2M), Station Biologique de Roscoff, CS 90074, 29688 Roscoff Cedex, France
| | - Surender Singh Jadav
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad 500007, TS, India
| | - Chada Raji Reddy
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad 500007, TS, India
| | - Thierry Roisnel
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes), UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Paul Mosset
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes), UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Nicolas Levoin
- Bioprojet-Biotech, 4 rue du Chesnay Beauregard, BP 96205, 35762 Saint Grégoire, France
| | - René Grée
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes), UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France.
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Abstract
Objective Alternative splicing can generate various structural and functional protein isoforms. Recently, accumulating evidence shows a relationship between alternative splicing and cancer. Cancer is a complex and chronic disease that involves malignant transformation. In this review, we consider alternative splicing events in relation to the hallmarks of cancer cells, and discuss current therapies to treat cancer-related to alternative splicing. Data sources Data cited in this article are from the PubMed and Embase database, primarily focusing on research published from 2000 to 2018. Study selection Articles were selected with the search terms “alternative splicing,” “cancer cell,” “tumor microenvironment,” and “therapy.” Results Alternative splicing plays an important role in tumorigenesis, development, and escape from cell death. Taking this trait of cancer cells into consideration will allow more definite diagnoses of cancer, and allow the development of more effective medicines to intervene in cancer that could focus on controlling alternative splicing or competitively binding to the final products. Conclusions Alternative splicing is common in cancer cells. Consideration of alternative splicing may allow different strategies for cancer therapy or the identification of novel biomarkers for cancer diagnosis.
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Jaudon F, Baldassari S, Musante I, Thalhammer A, Zara F, Cingolani LA. Targeting Alternative Splicing as a Potential Therapy for Episodic Ataxia Type 2. Biomedicines 2020; 8:E332. [PMID: 32899500 PMCID: PMC7555146 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8090332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2) is an autosomal dominant neurological disorder characterized by paroxysmal attacks of ataxia, vertigo, and nausea that usually last hours to days. It is caused by loss-of-function mutations in CACNA1A, the gene encoding the pore-forming α1 subunit of P/Q-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Although pharmacological treatments, such as acetazolamide and 4-aminopyridine, exist for EA2, they do not reduce or control the symptoms in all patients. CACNA1A is heavily spliced and some of the identified EA2 mutations are predicted to disrupt selective isoforms of this gene. Modulating splicing of CACNA1A may therefore represent a promising new strategy to develop improved EA2 therapies. Because RNA splicing is dysregulated in many other genetic diseases, several tools, such as antisense oligonucleotides, trans-splicing, and CRISPR-based strategies, have been developed for medical purposes. Here, we review splicing-based strategies used for genetic disorders, including those for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular dystrophy, and frontotemporal dementia with Parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17, and discuss their potential applicability to EA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Jaudon
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Simona Baldassari
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (S.B.); (I.M.); (F.Z.)
| | - Ilaria Musante
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (S.B.); (I.M.); (F.Z.)
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - Agnes Thalhammer
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Federico Zara
- Unit of Medical Genetics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, 16147 Genoa, Italy; (S.B.); (I.M.); (F.Z.)
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo A. Cingolani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16132 Genoa, Italy;
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32
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Antisense drug discovery and development technology considered in a pharmacological context. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 189:114196. [PMID: 32800852 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
When coined, the term "antisense" included oligonucleotides of any structure, with any chemical modification and designed to work through any post-RNA hybridization mechanism. However, in practice the term "antisense" has been used to describe single stranded oligonucleotides (ss ASOs) designed to hybridize to RNAswhile the term "siRNA" has come to mean double stranded oligonucleotides designed to activate Ago2. However, the two approaches share many common features. The medicinal chemistry developed for ASOs greatly facilitated the development of siRNA technology and remains the chemical basis for both approaches. Many of challenges faced and solutions achieved share many common features. In fact, because ss ASOs can be designed to activate Ago2, the two approaches intersect at this remarkably important protein. There are also meaningful differences. The pharmacokinetic properties are quite different and thus potential routes of delivery differ. ASOs may be designedto use a variety of post-RNA binding mechanismswhile siRNAs depend solely on the robust activity of Ago2. However, siRNAs and ASOs are both used for therapeutic purposes and both must be and can be understood in a pharmacological context. Thus, the goals of this review are to put ASOs in pharmacological context and compare their behavior as pharmacological agents to the those of siRNAs.
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33
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Suñé-Pou M, Limeres MJ, Moreno-Castro C, Hernández-Munain C, Suñé-Negre JM, Cuestas ML, Suñé C. Innovative Therapeutic and Delivery Approaches Using Nanotechnology to Correct Splicing Defects Underlying Disease. Front Genet 2020; 11:731. [PMID: 32760425 PMCID: PMC7373156 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing of pre-mRNA contributes strongly to the diversity of cell- and tissue-specific protein expression patterns. Global transcriptome analyses have suggested that >90% of human multiexon genes are alternatively spliced. Alterations in the splicing process cause missplicing events that lead to genetic diseases and pathologies, including various neurological disorders, cancers, and muscular dystrophies. In recent decades, research has helped to elucidate the mechanisms regulating alternative splicing and, in some cases, to reveal how dysregulation of these mechanisms leads to disease. The resulting knowledge has enabled the design of novel therapeutic strategies for correction of splicing-derived pathologies. In this review, we focus primarily on therapeutic approaches targeting splicing, and we highlight nanotechnology-based gene delivery applications that address the challenges and barriers facing nucleic acid-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Suñé-Pou
- Drug Development Service (SDM), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María J Limeres
- Institute of Research in Microbiology and Medical Parasitology (IMPaM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cristina Moreno-Castro
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine "López-Neyra" (IPBLN-CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Cristina Hernández-Munain
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine "López-Neyra" (IPBLN-CSIC), Granada, Spain
| | - Josep M Suñé-Negre
- Drug Development Service (SDM), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - María L Cuestas
- Institute of Research in Microbiology and Medical Parasitology (IMPaM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos Suñé
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine "López-Neyra" (IPBLN-CSIC), Granada, Spain
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34
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French LS, Mellough CB, Chen FK, Carvalho LS. A Review of Gene, Drug and Cell-Based Therapies for Usher Syndrome. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:183. [PMID: 32733204 PMCID: PMC7363968 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Usher syndrome is a genetic disorder causing neurosensory hearing loss and blindness from retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Adaptive techniques such as braille, digital and optical magnifiers, mobility training, cochlear implants, or other assistive listening devices are indispensable for reducing disability. However, there is currently no treatment to reduce or arrest sensory cell degeneration. There are several classes of treatments for Usher syndrome being investigated. The present article reviews the progress this research has made towards delivering commercial options for patients with Usher syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy S French
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (incorporating Lions Eye Institute), The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Carla B Mellough
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (incorporating Lions Eye Institute), The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Fred K Chen
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (incorporating Lions Eye Institute), The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Livia S Carvalho
- Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (incorporating Lions Eye Institute), The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
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35
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Dhuri K, Bechtold C, Quijano E, Pham H, Gupta A, Vikram A, Bahal R. Antisense Oligonucleotides: An Emerging Area in Drug Discovery and Development. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9062004. [PMID: 32604776 PMCID: PMC7355792 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9062004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) bind sequence specifically to the target RNA and modulate protein expression through several different mechanisms. The ASO field is an emerging area of drug development that targets the disease source at the RNA level and offers a promising alternative to therapies targeting downstream processes. To translate ASO-based therapies into a clinical success, it is crucial to overcome the challenges associated with off-target side effects and insufficient biological activity. In this regard, several chemical modifications and diverse delivery strategies have been explored. In this review, we systematically discuss the chemical modifications, mechanism of action, and optimized delivery strategies of several different classes of ASOs. Further, we highlight the recent advances made in development of ASO-based drugs with a focus on drugs that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for clinical applications. We also discuss various promising ASO-based drug candidates in the clinical trials, and the outstanding opportunity of emerging microRNA as a viable therapeutic target for future ASO-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karishma Dhuri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (K.D.); (C.B.)
| | - Clara Bechtold
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (K.D.); (C.B.)
| | - Elias Quijano
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA;
| | - Ha Pham
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-5671, USA;
| | - Anisha Gupta
- Department of Chemistry, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, USA;
| | - Ajit Vikram
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA;
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (K.D.); (C.B.)
- Correspondence:
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36
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Tessaro F, Scapozza L. How 'Protein-Docking' Translates into the New Emerging Field of Docking Small Molecules to Nucleic Acids? Molecules 2020; 25:E2749. [PMID: 32545835 PMCID: PMC7355999 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25122749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we retraced the '40-year evolution' of molecular docking algorithms. Over the course of the years, their development allowed to progress from the so-called 'rigid-docking' searching methods to the more sophisticated 'semi-flexible' and 'flexible docking' algorithms. Together with the advancement of computing architecture and power, molecular docking's applications also exponentially increased, from a single-ligand binding calculation to large screening and polypharmacology profiles. Recently targeting nucleic acids with small molecules has emerged as a valuable therapeutic strategy especially for cancer treatment, along with bacterial and viral infections. For example, therapeutic intervention at the mRNA level allows to overcome the problematic of undruggable proteins without modifying the genome. Despite the promising therapeutic potential of nucleic acids, molecular docking programs have been optimized mostly for proteins. Here, we have analyzed literature data on nucleic acid to benchmark some of the widely used docking programs. Finally, the comparison between proteins and nucleic acid targets docking highlighted similarity and differences, which are intrinsically related to their chemical and structural nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Tessaro
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva CMU, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland;
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Leonardo Scapozza
- Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva CMU, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland;
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
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37
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Alternative splicing of ACE2 possibly generates variants that may limit the entry of SARS-CoV-2: a potential therapeutic approach using SSOs. Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 134:1143-1150. [PMID: 32442315 DOI: 10.1042/cs20200419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) plays an essential role in maintaining the balance of the renin-angiotensin system and also serves as a receptor for the SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and HCoV-NL63. Following the recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection, there has been an urgent need to develop therapeutic interventions. ACE2 is a potential target for many treatment approaches for the SARS-CoV-2. With the help of bioinformatics, we have predicted several novel exons of the human ACE2 gene. The inclusion of novel exons located in the 5'UTR/intronic region in the mature transcript may remove the critical ACE2 residues responsible for the interaction with the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, thus preventing their binding and entry into the cell. Additionally, inclusion of a novel predicted exons located in the 3'UTR by alternative splicing may remove the C-terminal transmembrane domain of ACE2 and generate soluble ACE2 isoforms. Splice-switching antisense oligonucleotides (SSOs) have been employed effectively as a therapeutic strategy in several disease conditions. Alternative splicing of the ACE2 gene could similarly be modulated using SSOs to exclude critical domains required for the entry of SARS-CoV-2. Strategies can also be designed to deliver these SSOs directly to the lungs in order to minimize the damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis.
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38
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Giacalone VD, Dobosh BS, Gaggar A, Tirouvanziam R, Margaroli C. Immunomodulation in Cystic Fibrosis: Why and How? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21093331. [PMID: 32397175 PMCID: PMC7247557 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21093331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is characterized by unconventional mechanisms of inflammation, implicating a chronic immune response dominated by innate immune cells. Historically, therapeutic development has focused on the mutated cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), leading to the discovery of small molecules aiming at modulating and potentiating the presence and activity of CFTR at the plasma membrane. However, treatment burden sustained by CF patients, side effects of current medications, and recent advances in other therapeutic areas have highlighted the need to develop novel disease targeting of the inflammatory component driving CF lung damage. Furthermore, current issues with standard treatment emphasize the need for directed lung therapies that could minimize systemic side effects. Here, we summarize current treatment used to target immune cells in the lungs, and highlight potential benefits and caveats of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent D. Giacalone
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (V.D.G.); (B.S.D.)
- Center for CF & Airways Disease Research, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Brian S. Dobosh
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (V.D.G.); (B.S.D.)
- Center for CF & Airways Disease Research, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Amit Gaggar
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.G.); (C.M.)
- Pulmonary Section, Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
| | - Rabindra Tirouvanziam
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (V.D.G.); (B.S.D.)
- Center for CF & Airways Disease Research, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Camilla Margaroli
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA; (A.G.); (C.M.)
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39
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Boer RE, Torrey ZR, Schneekloth JS. Chemical Modulation of Pre-mRNA Splicing in Mammalian Systems. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:808-818. [PMID: 32191432 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
RNA splicing is a key component of gene expression and proteomic diversity in humans. The spliceosome assembles on and processes individual nascent pre-mRNA transcripts into distinct mature mRNAs that can code for different proteins. Splicing programs can be affected by somatic mutations and changes in response to exogenous stimuli. Importantly, alterations in splicing can be direct drivers of diseases including cancers. This Review describes recent advances and the potential for targeting and controlling pre-mRNA splicing in humans with small molecules, ranging from targeting spliceosomal proteins to direct targeting of individual RNA transcripts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E. Boer
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Zachary R. Torrey
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick Maryland 21702, United States
| | - John S. Schneekloth
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick Maryland 21702, United States
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40
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Jeffery N, Richardson S, Chambers D, Morgan NG, Harries LW. Cellular stressors may alter islet hormone cell proportions by moderation of alternative splicing patterns. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:2763-2774. [PMID: 31098640 PMCID: PMC6687954 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes to islet cell identity in response to type 2 diabetes (T2D) have been reported in rodent models, but are less well characterized in humans. We assessed the effects of aspects of the diabetic microenvironment on hormone staining, total gene expression, splicing regulation and the alternative splicing patterns of key genes in EndoC-βH1 human beta cells. Genes encoding islet hormones [somatostatin (SST), insulin (INS), Glucagon (GCG)], differentiation markers [Forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), Paired box 6, SRY box 9, NK6 Homeobox 1, NK6 Homeobox 2] and cell stress markers (DNA damage inducible transcript 3, FOXO1) were dysregulated in stressed EndoC-βH1 cells, as were some serine arginine rich splicing factor splicing activator and heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein particle inhibitor genes. Whole transcriptome analysis of primary T2D islets and matched controls demonstrated dysregulated splicing for ~25% of splicing events, of which genes themselves involved in messenger ribonucleic acid processing and regulation of gene expression comprised the largest group. Approximately 5% of EndoC-βH1 cells exposed to these factors gained SST positivity in vitro. An increased area of SST staining was also observed ex vivo in pancreas sections recovered at autopsy from donors with type 1 diabetes (T1D) or T2D (9.3% for T1D and 3% for T2D, respectively compared with 1% in controls). Removal of the stressful stimulus or treatment with the AKT Serine/Threonine kinase inhibitor SH-6 restored splicing factor expression and reversed both hormone staining effects and patterns of gene expression. This suggests that reversible changes in hormone expression may occur during exposure to diabetomimetic cellular stressors, which may be mediated by changes in splicing regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Jeffery
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK
| | - Sarah Richardson
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK
| | - David Chambers
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, London WC2R 2LS, UK
| | - Noel G Morgan
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK
| | - Lorna W Harries
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK
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41
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Tambuyzer E, Vandendriessche B, Austin CP, Brooks PJ, Larsson K, Miller Needleman KI, Valentine J, Davies K, Groft SC, Preti R, Oprea TI, Prunotto M. Therapies for rare diseases: therapeutic modalities, progress and challenges ahead. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2019; 19:93-111. [PMID: 31836861 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-019-0049-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Most rare diseases still lack approved treatments despite major advances in research providing the tools to understand their molecular basis, as well as legislation providing regulatory and economic incentives to catalyse the development of specific therapies. Addressing this translational gap is a multifaceted challenge, for which a key aspect is the selection of the optimal therapeutic modality for translating advances in rare disease knowledge into potential medicines, known as orphan drugs. With this in mind, we discuss here the technological basis and rare disease applicability of the main therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, protein replacement therapies, oligonucleotides and gene and cell therapies, as well as drug repurposing. For each modality, we consider its strengths and limitations as a platform for rare disease therapy development and describe clinical progress so far in developing drugs based on it. We also discuss selected overarching topics in the development of therapies for rare diseases, such as approval statistics, engagement of patients in the process, regulatory pathways and digital tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Tambuyzer
- BioPontis Alliance for Rare Diseases Foundation fup/son, Brussels, Belgium. .,BioPontis Alliance Rare Disease Foundation, Inc, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Benjamin Vandendriessche
- Byteflies, Antwerp, Belgium.,Department of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering (ECSE), Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Christopher P Austin
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Philip J Brooks
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kristina Larsson
- Orphan Medicines Office, European Medicines Agency, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Kay Davies
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Stephen C Groft
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Robert Preti
- Hitachi Chemical Regenerative Medicine Business Sector, Allendale, NJ, USA
| | - Tudor I Oprea
- Translational Informatics Division, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Albuquerque, Albuquerque, NM, USA.,UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of New Mexico Health Science Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Marco Prunotto
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
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42
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Latorre E, Mesonero JE, Harries LW. Alternative splicing in serotonergic system: Implications in neuropsychiatric disorders. J Psychopharmacol 2019; 33:1352-1363. [PMID: 31210090 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119856546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The serotonergic system is a key component of physiological brain function and is essential for proper neurological activity. Numerous neuropsychiatric disorders are associated with deregulation of the serotonergic system. Accordingly, many pharmacological treatments are focused on modulation of this system. While providing a promising line of therapeutic moderation, these approaches may be complicated due to the presence of alternative splicing events for key genes in this pathway. Alternative splicing is a co-transcriptional process by which different mRNA transcripts can be produced from the same gene. These different isoforms may have diverse activities and functions, and their relative balance is often critical for the maintenance of homeostasis. Alternative splicing greatly increases the production of proteins, augmenting cell plasticity, and provides an important control point for regulation of gene expression. AIM The objective of this narrative review is to discuss the potential impact of alternative splicing of different components of the serotonergic system and speculate on their involvement in several neuropsychiatric disorders. CONCLUSIONS The specific role of each isoform in disease and their relative activities in the signalling pathways involved are yet to be determined. We need to gain a better understanding of the basis of alternative isoforms of the serotonergic system in order to fully understand their impact and be able to develop new effective pharmacological isoform-specific targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Latorre
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón - IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza - CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jose Emilio Mesonero
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón - IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza - CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
- Departamento Farmacología y Fisiología, Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragón), Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Lorna W Harries
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
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Affiliation(s)
- Barla Thirupathi
- Department of Chemical ScienceIndian Institute of Science Education and Research BerhampurTransit Campus, Govt. ITI Building, NH 59 Engineering School Road, Ganjam Berhampur 760 010, Odisha India
| | - Mahesh Kumar Zilla
- Department of Chemical ScienceIndian Institute of Science Education and Research BerhampurTransit Campus, Govt. ITI Building, NH 59 Engineering School Road, Ganjam Berhampur 760 010, Odisha India
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Ma D, Tan J, Zhou J, Zhang J, Cheng J, Luo C, Liu G, Wang Y, Xu Z. A novel splice site mutation in the UBE2A gene leads to aberrant mRNA splicing in a Chinese patient with X-linked intellectual disability type Nascimento. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2019; 7:e976. [PMID: 31566921 PMCID: PMC6825863 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background X‐linked intellectual disability type Nascimento (XIDTN), caused by mutations in ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme E2A (UBE2A) gene, is characterized by moderate to severe intellectual disability, impaired speech, urogenital anomalies, skin abnormalities, and dysmorphic facial features. Methods Whole‐exome sequence was carried out in the patients, and the variant of disease‐associated gene in the patient and his parents was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. RNA transcript analysis by reverse transcription (RT)‐PCR was performed to assess the potential effects of the splice site mutation. Results A novel splicing mutation (c.331‐2A>G) in UBE2A gene, inherited from his mother, was identified in a Chinese boy with intellectual disability and impaired speech. Furthermore, brain magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple patchy hyperintensity in bilateral centrum ovale. RT‐PCR demonstrated that this variant generated a novel transcript with a deletion of 29 nucleotides in exon 6 (r.331_359del), resulting in a frameshift mutation (p.L112SfsX17). Conclusion Ultimately, he was diagnosed with XIDTN by genetic analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of this syndrome in China with a confirmed molecular diagnosis. Our case not only expands the mutation spectrum of UBE2A, but also provides additional insights into the genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of XIDTN as well as phenotype–genotype correlations in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingyuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianxin Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyu Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuguo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengfeng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
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Ong AAL, Tan J, Bhadra M, Dezanet C, Patil KM, Chong MS, Kierzek R, Decout JL, Roca X, Chen G. RNA Secondary Structure-Based Design of Antisense Peptide Nucleic Acids for Modulating Disease-Associated Aberrant Tau Pre-mRNA Alternative Splicing. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24163020. [PMID: 31434312 PMCID: PMC6720520 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24163020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing of tau pre-mRNA is regulated by a 5' splice site (5'ss) hairpin present at the exon 10-intron 10 junction. Single mutations within the hairpin sequence alter hairpin structural stability and/or the binding of splicing factors, resulting in disease-causing aberrant splicing of exon 10. The hairpin structure contains about seven stably formed base pairs and thus may be suitable for targeting through antisense strands. Here, we used antisense peptide nucleic acids (asPNAs) to probe and target the tau pre-mRNA exon 10 5'ss hairpin structure through strand invasion. We characterized by electrophoretic mobility shift assay the binding of the designed asPNAs to model tau splice site hairpins. The relatively short (10-15 mer) asPNAs showed nanomolar binding to wild-type hairpins as well as a disease-causing mutant hairpin C+19G, albeit with reduced binding strength. Thus, the structural stabilizing effect of C+19G mutation could be revealed by asPNA binding. In addition, our cell culture minigene splicing assay data revealed that application of an asPNA targeting the 3' arm of the hairpin resulted in an increased exon 10 inclusion level for the disease-associated mutant C+19G, probably by exposing the 5'ss as well as inhibiting the binding of protein factors to the intronic spicing silencer. On the contrary, the application of asPNAs targeting the 5' arm of the hairpin caused an increased exon 10 exclusion for a disease-associated mutant C+14U, mainly by blocking the 5'ss. PNAs could enter cells through conjugation with amino sugar neamine or by cotransfection with minigene plasmids using a commercially available transfection reagent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Ann Lerk Ong
- NTU Institute for Health Technologies (HeathTech NTU), Interdisciplinary Graduate School, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637553, Singapore
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Jiazi Tan
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Malini Bhadra
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Clément Dezanet
- University Grenoble Alpes/CNRS, Département de Pharmacochimie Moléculaire, ICMG FR 2607, UMR 5063, 470 Rue de la Chimie, F-38041 Grenoble, France
| | - Kiran M Patil
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371, Singapore
| | - Mei Sian Chong
- Geriatic Education & Research Institute, 2 Yishun Central 2, Singapore 768024, Singapore
| | - Ryszard Kierzek
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
| | - Jean-Luc Decout
- University Grenoble Alpes/CNRS, Département de Pharmacochimie Moléculaire, ICMG FR 2607, UMR 5063, 470 Rue de la Chimie, F-38041 Grenoble, France
| | - Xavier Roca
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637551, Singapore
| | - Gang Chen
- Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 21 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637371, Singapore.
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Breuel S, Vorm M, Bräuer AU, Owczarek-Lipska M, Neidhardt J. Combining Engineered U1 snRNA and Antisense Oligonucleotides to Improve the Treatment of a BBS1 Splice Site Mutation. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 18:123-130. [PMID: 31541798 PMCID: PMC6796732 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Manipulation of pre-mRNA processing is a promising approach toward overcoming disease-causing mutations and treating human diseases. We show that a combined treatment applying two splice-manipulating technologies improves therapeutic efficacies to correct mutation-induced splice defects. Previously, we identified a family affected by retinitis pigmentosa caused by the homozygous BBS1 splice donor site mutation c.479G > A. The mutation leads to both exon 5 skipping and intron 5 retention. We developed a therapeutic approach applying lentivirus-mediated gene delivery of engineered U1 small nuclear RNA (U1), which resulted in increased levels of correctly spliced BBS1. Herein, we show that the therapeutic effect of the engineered U1 efficiently reverted exon skipping but failed to reduce the intron retention. To complement the engineered U1 treatment, we identified four different antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) that block intron 5 retention in BBS1 transcripts. A treatment using engineered U1 in combination with AONs showed the highest therapeutic efficacy and increased the amount of correctly spliced BBS1 transcripts. We did not detect elevated levels of apoptotic cell death in AON-treated cell lines. In conclusion, engineered U1 or AONs provide efficient therapies with complementary effects and can be combined to increase efficacy of therapeutic approaches to correct splice defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia Breuel
- Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Mariann Vorm
- Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Anja U Bräuer
- Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany; Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Marta Owczarek-Lipska
- Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - John Neidhardt
- Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany; Research Center Neurosensory Science, University of Oldenburg, Germany; Joint research training group of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Oldenburg, Germany and the University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.
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del Río-Moreno M, Alors-Pérez E, González-Rubio S, Ferrín G, Reyes O, Rodríguez-Perálvarez M, Sánchez-Frías ME, Sánchez-Sánchez R, Ventura S, López-Miranda J, Kineman RD, de la Mata M, Castaño JP, Gahete MD, Luque RM. Dysregulation of the Splicing Machinery Is Associated to the Development of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 104:3389-3402. [PMID: 30901032 PMCID: PMC6590982 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2019-00021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common obesity-associated pathology characterized by hepatic fat accumulation, which can progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Obesity is associated with profound changes in gene-expression patterns of the liver, which could contribute to the onset of comorbidities. OBJECTIVE As these alterations might be linked to a dysregulation of the splicing process, we aimed to determine whether the dysregulation in the expression of splicing machinery components could be associated with NAFLD. PARTICIPANTS We collected 41 liver biopsies from nonalcoholic individuals with obesity, with or without hepatic steatosis, who underwent bariatric surgery. INTERVENTIONS The expression pattern of splicing machinery components was determined using a microfluidic quantitative PCR-based array. An in vitro approximation to determine lipid accumulation using HepG2 cells was also implemented. RESULTS The liver of patients with obesity and steatosis exhibited a severe dysregulation of certain splicing machinery components compared with patients with obesity without steatosis. Nonsupervised clustering analysis allowed the identification of three molecular phenotypes of NAFLD with a unique fingerprint of alterations in splicing machinery components, which also presented distinctive hepatic and clinical-metabolic alterations and a differential response to bariatric surgery after 1 year. In addition, in vitro silencing of certain splicing machinery components (i.e., PTBP1, RBM45, SND1) reduced fat accumulation and modulated the expression of key de novo lipogenesis enzymes, whereas conversely, fat accumulation did not alter spliceosome components expression. CONCLUSION There is a close relationship between splicing machinery dysregulation and NAFLD development, which should be further investigated to identify alternative therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes del Río-Moreno
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Emilia Alors-Pérez
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Sandra González-Rubio
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Gustavo Ferrín
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Oscar Reyes
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Computer Sciences, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Manuel Rodríguez-Perálvarez
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Marina E Sánchez-Frías
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- Anatomical Pathology Service, Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Rafael Sánchez-Sánchez
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- Anatomical Pathology Service, Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Sebastián Ventura
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Computer Sciences, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Information Systems, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Kingdom
| | - José López-Miranda
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Córdoba, Spain
- Lipids and Atherosclerosis Unit, Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Rhonda D Kineman
- Research and Development Division, Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Manuel de la Mata
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Justo P Castaño
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Manuel D Gahete
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Raúl M Luque
- Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Córdoba, Spain
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Goina E, Musco L, Dardis A, Buratti E. Assessment of the functional impact on the pre-mRNA splicing process of 28 nucleotide variants associated with Pompe disease in GAA exon 2 and their recovery using antisense technology. Hum Mutat 2019; 40:2121-2130. [PMID: 31301153 DOI: 10.1002/humu.23867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Glycogen storage disease II (GSDII), also called Pompe disease, is an autosomal recessive inherited disease caused by a defect in glycogen metabolism due to the deficiency of the enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) responsible for its degradation. So far, more than 500 sequence variants of the GAA gene have been reported but their possible involvement on the pre-messenger RNA splicing mechanism has not been extensively studied. In this work, we have investigated, by an in vitro functional assay, all putative splicing variants within GAA exon 2 and flanking introns. Our results show that many variants falling in the canonical splice site or the exon can induce GAA exon 2 skipping. In these cases, therefore, therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring protein folding of partially active mutated GAA proteins might not be sufficient. Regarding this issue, we have tested the effect of antisense oligonucleotides (AMOs) that were previously shown capable of rescuing splicing misregulation caused by the common c.-32-13T>G variant associated with the childhood/adult phenotype of GSDII. Interestingly, our results show that these AMOs are also quite effective in rescuing the splicing impairment of several exonic splicing variants, thus widening the potential use of these effectors for GSDII treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Goina
- Molecular Pathology, International Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorena Musco
- Molecular Pathology, International Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
| | - Andrea Dardis
- Regional Coordinator Centre for Rare Diseases, Academic Hospital Santa Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy
| | - Emanuele Buratti
- Molecular Pathology, International Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
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Tsoumpra MK, Fukumoto S, Matsumoto T, Takeda S, Wood MJA, Aoki Y. Peptide-conjugate antisense based splice-correction for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases. EBioMedicine 2019; 45:630-645. [PMID: 31257147 PMCID: PMC6642283 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.06.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration, caused by the absence of dystrophin. Exon skipping by antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) has recently gained recognition as therapeutic approach in DMD. Conjugation of a peptide to the phosphorodiamidate morpholino backbone (PMO) of ASOs generated the peptide-conjugated PMOs (PPMOs) that exhibit a dramatically improved pharmacokinetic profile. When tested in animal models, PPMOs demonstrate effective exon skipping in target muscles and prolonged duration of dystrophin restoration after a treatment regime. Herein we summarize the main pathophysiological features of DMD and the emergence of PPMOs as promising exon skipping agents aiming to rescue defective gene expression in DMD and other neuromuscular diseases. The listed PPMO laboratory findings correspond to latest trends in the field and highlight the obstacles that must be overcome prior to translating the animal-based research into clinical trials tailored to the needs of patients suffering from neuromuscular diseases.
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Key Words
- aso, antisense oligonucleotides
- cns, central nervous system
- cpp, cell penetrating peptide
- dgc, dystrophin glyco-protein complex
- dmd, duchenne muscular dystrophy
- fda, us food and drug administration
- pmo, phosphorodiamidate morpholino
- ppmo, peptide-conjugated pmos
- ps, phosphorothioate
- sma, spinal muscular atrophy
- 2ʹ-ome, 2ʹ-o-methyl
- 2ʹ-moe, 2ʹ-o-methoxyethyl
- 6mwt, 6-minute walk test
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria K Tsoumpra
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Centre of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seiji Fukumoto
- Fujii Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Toshio Matsumoto
- Fujii Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Shin'ichi Takeda
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Centre of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Yoshitsugu Aoki
- Department of Molecular Therapy, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Centre of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo, Japan.
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