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Saoudi A, Fergus C, Gileadi T, Montanaro F, Morgan JE, Kelly VP, Tensorer T, Garcia L, Vaillend C, Muntoni F, Goyenvalle A. Investigating the Impact of Delivery Routes for Exon Skipping Therapies in the CNS of DMD Mouse Models. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060908. [PMID: 36980249 PMCID: PMC10047648 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid-based therapies have demonstrated great potential for the treatment of monogenetic diseases, including neurologic disorders. To date, regulatory approval has been received for a dozen antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs); however, these chemistries cannot readily cross the blood–brain barrier when administered systemically. Therefore, an investigation of their potential effects within the central nervous system (CNS) requires local delivery. Here, we studied the brain distribution and exon-skipping efficacy of two ASO chemistries, PMO and tcDNA, when delivered to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of mice carrying a deletion in exon 52 of the dystrophin gene, a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Following intracerebroventricular (ICV) delivery (unilateral, bilateral, bolus vs. slow rate, repeated via cannula or very slow via osmotic pumps), ASO levels were quantified across brain regions and exon 51 skipping was evaluated, revealing that tcDNA treatment invariably generates comparable or more skipping relative to that with PMO, even when the PMO was administered at higher doses. We also performed intra-cisterna magna (ICM) delivery as an alternative route for CSF delivery and found a biased distribution of the ASOs towards posterior brain regions, including the cerebellum, hindbrain, and the cervical part of the spinal cord. Finally, we combined both ICV and ICM injection methods to assess the potential of an additive effect of this methodology in inducing efficient exon skipping across different brain regions. Our results provide useful insights into the local delivery and associated efficacy of ASOs in the CNS in mouse models of DMD. These findings pave the way for further ASO-based therapy application to the CNS for neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amel Saoudi
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, END-ICAP, 78000 Versailles, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91400 Saclay, France
| | - Claire Fergus
- School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Talia Gileadi
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Federica Montanaro
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Jennifer E. Morgan
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Vincent P. Kelly
- School of Biochemistry & Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Thomas Tensorer
- SQY Therapeutics-Synthena, UVSQ, 78180 Montigny le Bretonneux, France
| | - Luis Garcia
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, END-ICAP, 78000 Versailles, France
| | - Cyrille Vaillend
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay, 91400 Saclay, France
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford Street, London WC1N 1EH, UK
- Correspondence: (F.M.); (A.G.)
| | - Aurélie Goyenvalle
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, END-ICAP, 78000 Versailles, France
- Correspondence: (F.M.); (A.G.)
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Bizot F, Vulin A, Goyenvalle A. Current Status of Antisense Oligonucleotide-Based Therapy in Neuromuscular Disorders. Drugs 2021; 80:1397-1415. [PMID: 32696107 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-020-01363-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuromuscular disorders include a wide range of diseases affecting the peripheral nervous system, which are primarily characterized by progressive muscle weakness and wasting. While there were no effective therapies until recently, several therapeutic approaches have advanced to clinical trials in the past few years. Among these, the antisense technology aiming at modifying RNA processing and function has remarkably progressed and a few antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) have now been approved. Despite these recent clinical successes, several ASOs have also failed and clinical programs have been suspended, in most cases when the route of administration was systemic, highlighting the existing challenges notably with respect to effective ASO delivery. In this review we summarize the recent advances and current status of antisense based-therapies for neuromuscular disorders, using successful as well as unsuccessful examples to highlight the variability of outcomes depending on the target tissue and route of administration. We describe the different ASO-mediated therapeutic approaches, including splice-switching applications, steric-blocking strategies and targeted gene knock-down mediated by ribonuclease H recruitment. In this overview, we discuss the merits and challenges of the current ASO technology, and discuss the future of ASO development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavien Bizot
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, END-ICAP, 78000, Versailles, France
| | - Adeline Vulin
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, END-ICAP, 78000, Versailles, France.,SQY Therapeutics, Université de Versailles St-Quentin, Montigny le Bretonneux, France
| | - Aurélie Goyenvalle
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, END-ICAP, 78000, Versailles, France. .,LIA BAHN, Centre scientifique de Monaco, Monaco, Monaco.
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3
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Freeman A, Qiao L, Olave N, Rezonzew G, Gentle S, Halloran B, Pryhuber GS, Gaggar A, Tipple TE, Ambalavanan N, Lal CV. MicroRNA 219-5p inhibits alveolarization by reducing platelet derived growth factor receptor-alpha. Respir Res 2021; 22:57. [PMID: 33596914 PMCID: PMC7891005 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-021-01654-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNA (miR) are small conserved RNA that regulate gene expression post-transcription. Previous genome-wide analysis studies in preterm infants indicate that pathways of miR 219-5p are important in infants with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD). METHODS Here we report a prospective cohort study of extremely preterm neonates wherein infants diagnosed with severe BPD expressed increased airway miR-219-5p and decreased platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFR-α), a target of mir-219-5p and a key regulator of alveolarization, compared to post-conception age-matched term infants. RESULTS miR-219-5p was highly expressed in the pulmonary epithelial lining in lungs of infants with BPD by in situ hybridization of human infant lungs. In both in vitro and in vivo (mouse) models of BPD, miR-219-5p was increased on exposure to hyperoxia compared with the normoxia control, with a complementary decrease of PDGFR-α. To further confirm the target relationship between miR-219 and PDGFR-α, pulmonary epithelial cells (MLE12) and lung primary fibroblasts were treated with a mimic of miR-219-5p and a locked nucleic acid (LNA) based inhibitor of miR-219-5p. In comparison with the control group, the level of miR-219 increased significantly after miR-219 mimic treatment, while the level of PDGFR-α declined markedly. LNA exposure increased PDGFR-α. Moreover, in BPD mouse model, over-expression of miR-219-5p inhibited alveolar development, indicated by larger alveolar spaces accompanied by reduced septation. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results demonstrate that increased miR-219-5p contributes to the pathogenesis of BPD by targeting and reducing PDGFR-α. The use of specific miRNA antagonists may be a therapeutic strategy for preventing the development of BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Freeman
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Center, University of Alabama At Birmingham, 176F Suite 9380619 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL, 35249-7335, USA
| | - Luhua Qiao
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Center, University of Alabama At Birmingham, 176F Suite 9380619 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL, 35249-7335, USA
| | - Nelida Olave
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Center, University of Alabama At Birmingham, 176F Suite 9380619 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL, 35249-7335, USA
| | - Gabriel Rezonzew
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Center, University of Alabama At Birmingham, 176F Suite 9380619 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL, 35249-7335, USA
| | - Samuel Gentle
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Center, University of Alabama At Birmingham, 176F Suite 9380619 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL, 35249-7335, USA
| | - Brian Halloran
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Center, University of Alabama At Birmingham, 176F Suite 9380619 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL, 35249-7335, USA
| | - Gloria S Pryhuber
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Amit Gaggar
- Program in Matrix and Pulmonary Biology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Trent E Tipple
- Center for Pregnancy and Newborn Research, Section of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Oklahoma, OK, USA
| | - Namasivayam Ambalavanan
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Center, University of Alabama At Birmingham, 176F Suite 9380619 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL, 35249-7335, USA
| | - Charitharth Vivek Lal
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Center, University of Alabama At Birmingham, 176F Suite 9380619 South 19th Street, Birmingham, AL, 35249-7335, USA.
- Program in Matrix and Pulmonary Biology, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.
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4
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A fluorescence/colorimetric dual-mode sensing strategy for miRNA based on graphene oxide. Anal Bioanal Chem 2019; 412:233-242. [PMID: 31828375 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-019-02269-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs, which are involved in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Numerous studies have determined the expression of certain miRNAs in specific tissues and cell types, and their aberrant expression is associated with a variety of serious diseases such as cancers, immune-related diseases, and many infectious diseases. This suggests that miRNAs may be attractive and promising non-invasive biomarkers of diseases. In this study, we established a graphene oxide (GO)-based fluorescence/colorimetric dual sensing platform for miRNA by using a newly designed probe. The probe was designed to form a hairpin-like configuration with a fluorescent dye-labeled long tail, possessing a guanine (G)-rich DNAzyme domain in the loop region and target binding domain over the stem region and tail. By introducing this new hairpin-like probe in a conventional GO-based fluorescence platform, we observed both the miRNA-responsive color change by direct observation and sensitive fluorescence increase even below the nanomolar levels in a single solution without an additional separation step.
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5
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Aupy P, Echevarría L, Relizani K, Goyenvalle A. The Use of Tricyclo-DNA Oligomers for the Treatment of Genetic Disorders. Biomedicines 2017; 6:E2. [PMID: 29271929 PMCID: PMC5874659 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines6010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASOs) represent very attractive therapeutic compounds for the treatment of numerous diseases. The antisense field has remarkably progressed over the last few years with the approval of the first antisense drugs and with promising developments of more potent and nuclease resistant chemistries. Despite these recent clinical successes and advances in chemistry and design, effective delivery of ASOs to their target tissues remains a major issue. This review will describe the latest advances obtained with the tricyclo-DNA (tcDNA) chemistry which displays unique pharmacological properties and unprecedented uptake in many tissues after systemic administration. We will examine the variety of therapeutic approaches using both fully modified tcDNA-ASOs and gapmers, including splice switching applications, correction of aberrant splicing, steric blocking strategies and targeted gene knock-down mediated by RNase H recruitment. We will then discuss the merits and potential liabilities of the tcDNA chemistry in the context of ASO drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippine Aupy
- INSERM U1179, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, University of Versailles St-Quentin, 78180 Montigny le Bretonneux, France.
| | - Lucía Echevarría
- INSERM U1179, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, University of Versailles St-Quentin, 78180 Montigny le Bretonneux, France.
- SQY Therapeutics, University of Versailles St-Quentin, 78180 Montigny le Bretonneux, France.
| | - Karima Relizani
- INSERM U1179, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, University of Versailles St-Quentin, 78180 Montigny le Bretonneux, France.
- SQY Therapeutics, University of Versailles St-Quentin, 78180 Montigny le Bretonneux, France.
| | - Aurélie Goyenvalle
- INSERM U1179, UFR des Sciences de la Santé, University of Versailles St-Quentin, 78180 Montigny le Bretonneux, France.
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6
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Wei H, Zhao G, Hu T, Tang S, Jiang J, Hu B, Guan Y. Mapping the nicking efficiencies of nickase R.BbvCI for side-specific LNA-substituted substrates using rolling circle amplification. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32560. [PMID: 27582033 PMCID: PMC5007493 DOI: 10.1038/srep32560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We used a novel asymmetric cleavage analysis method based on rolling circle amplification (RCA) to determine the effects of LNA modification of substrate on the two subunits of R.BbvCI cleavage. We designed two sets of cleavage circular substrates by using two different ligation strategies and analyzed the single strand cleavage efficiency affected by different modification positions both from the cleaved strands and the uncleaved strands. Results showed that the effects of LNA on cleavage rates of modified strands and unmodified strands were both site-dependent. The Nb.BbvCI and Nt.BbvCI were affected by LNA modification in different way. Most of the modification positions showed strong inhibition of both of these two nickases cleavage. However, the modification in T3 position of bottom strand hardly affected both of the two nickases activities. The results suggested an intimated interaction between the two subunits of R.BbvCI, and the T3 position in bottom strand might be a less tight position which was hard to be disturbed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Wei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, #77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China.,Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine College, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110866, China
| | - Guojie Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, #77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Tianyu Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, #77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Suming Tang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, #77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Jiquan Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, #77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Bo Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, #77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
| | - Yifu Guan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, China Medical University, #77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China
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7
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Olave N, Lal CV, Halloran B, Pandit K, Cuna AC, Faye-Petersen OM, Kelly DR, Nicola T, Benos PV, Kaminski N, Ambalavanan N. Regulation of alveolar septation by microRNA-489. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2015; 310:L476-87. [PMID: 26719145 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00145.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRs) are small conserved RNA that regulate gene expression. Bioinformatic analysis of miRNA profiles during mouse lung development indicated a role for multiple miRNA, including miRNA-489. miR-489 increased on completion of alveolar septation [postnatal day 42 (P42)], associated with decreases in its conserved target genes insulin-like growth factor-1 (Igf1) and tenascin C (Tnc). We hypothesized that dysregulation of miR-489 and its target genes Igf1 and Tnc contribute to hyperoxia-induced abnormal lung development. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to normoxia (21%) or hyperoxia (85% O2) from P4 to P14, in combination with intranasal locked nucleic acid against miR-489 to inhibit miR-489, cytomegalovirus promoter (pCMV)-miR-489 to overexpress miR-489, or empty vector. Hyperoxia reduced miR-489 and increased Igf1 and Tnc. Locked nucleic acid against miR-489 improved lung development during hyperoxia and did not alter it during normoxia, whereas miR-489 overexpression inhibited lung development during normoxia. The 3' untranslated region in vitro reporter studies confirmed Igf1 and Tnc as targets of miR-489. While miR-489 was of epithelial origin and present in exosomes, its targets Igf1 and Tnc were produced by fibroblasts. Infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) had reduced lung miR-489 and increased Igf1 and Tnc compared with normal preterm or term infants. These results suggest increased miR-489 is an inhibitor of alveolar septation. During hyperoxia or BPD, reduced miR-489 and increased Igf1 and Tnc may be inadequate attempts at compensation. Further inhibition of miR-489 may permit alveolar septation to proceed. The use of specific miRNA antagonists or agonists may be a therapeutic strategy for inhibited alveolarization, such as in BPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelida Olave
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Charitharth V Lal
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Brian Halloran
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Kusum Pandit
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Alain C Cuna
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Ona M Faye-Petersen
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - David R Kelly
- Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Teodora Nicola
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Panayiotis V Benos
- Department of Computational & Systems Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and
| | - Naftali Kaminski
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Namasivayam Ambalavanan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama;
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8
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Lundin KE, Højland T, Hansen BR, Persson R, Bramsen JB, Kjems J, Koch T, Wengel J, Smith CIE. Biological activity and biotechnological aspects of locked nucleic acids. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2013; 82:47-107. [PMID: 23721720 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-407676-1.00002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Locked nucleic acid (LNA) is one of the most promising new nucleic acid analogues that has been produced under the past two decades. In this chapter, we have tried to cover many of the different areas, where this molecule has been used to improve the function of synthetic oligonucleotides (ONs). The use of LNA in antisense ONs, including gapmers, splice-switching ONs, and siLNA, as well as antigene ONs, is reviewed. Pharmacokinetics as well as pharmacodynamics of LNA ONs and a description of selected compounds in, or close to, clinical testing are described. In addition, new LNA modifications and the adaptation of enzymes for LNA incorporation are reviewed. Such enzymes may become important for the development of stabilized LNA-containing aptamers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin E Lundin
- Clinical Research Center, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.
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9
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Krishna H, Caruthers MH. Alkynyl phosphonate DNA: a versatile "click"able backbone for DNA-based biological applications. J Am Chem Soc 2012; 134:11618-31. [PMID: 22612466 DOI: 10.1021/ja3026714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Major hurdles associated with DNA-based biological applications include, among others, targeted cell delivery, undesirable nonspecific effects, toxicity associated with various analogues or the reagents used to deliver oligonucleotides to cells, and stability toward intracellular enzymes. Although a plethora of diverse analogues have been investigated, a versatile methodology that can systematically address these challenges has not been developed. In this contribution, we present a new, Clickable, and versatile chemistry that can be used to rapidly introduce diverse functionality for studying these various problems. As a demonstration of the approach, we synthesized the core analogue, which is useful for introducing additional functionality, the triazolylphosphonate, and present preliminary data on its biological properties. We have developed a new phosphoramidite synthon--the alkynyl phosphinoamidite, which is compatible with conventional solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis. Postsynthesis, the alkynylphosphonate can be functionalized via "Click" chemistry to generate the 1,2,3-triazolyl or substituted 1,2,3-triazolyl phosphonate-2'-deoxyribonucleotide internucleotide linkage. This manuscript describes the automated, solid-phase synthesis of mixed backbone oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) having 1,2,3-triazolylphosphonate (TP) as well as phosphate or thiophosphate internucleotide linkages and also 2'-OMe ribonucleotides and locked nucleic acids (LNAs) at selected sites. Nuclease stability assays demonstrate that the TP linkage is highly resistant toward 5'- and 3'-exonucleases, whereas melting studies indicate a slight destabilization when a TP-modified ODN is hybridized to its complementary RNA. A fluorescently labeled 16-mer ODN modified with two TP linkages shows efficient cellular uptake during passive transfection. Of particular interest, the subcellular distribution of TP-modified ODNs is highly dependent on cell type; a significant nuclear uptake is observed in HeLa cells, whereas diffuse cytoplasmic fluorescence is found in the WM-239A cell line. Cytoplasmic distribution is also present in human neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-F1), but Jurkat cells show both diffuse and punctate cytoplasmic uptake. Our results demonstrate that triazolylphosphonate ODNs are versatile additions to the oligonucleotide chemist's toolbox relative to designing new biological research reagents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heera Krishna
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA
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10
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Kaur H, Scaria V, Maiti S. “Locked onto the target”: increasing the efficiency of antagomirzymes using locked nucleic acid modifications. Biochemistry 2011; 49:9449-56. [PMID: 20879750 DOI: 10.1021/bi101185k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This study highlights the effect of incorporation of locked nucleic acid (LNA) on improving the functional efficacy of DNAzymes against microRNAs (antagomirzymes). DNAzymes were designed against two different sites of miR-27a, which were encompassed both within the precursor and mature form of miRNA. The cleavage and functional activities of these DNAzymes have been compared to those of LNA-modified counterparts, containing LNA modification in each of the substrate binding arms. Preliminary examination based on in vitro cleavage demonstrated LNAzyme to be much more effective in the ensuing cleavage of target miRNA under both single- and multiple-turnover conditions. Evaluation of kinetic parameters indicated almost 5-fold higher cleavage efficiency, kobs, for LNAzymes than for DNAzymes, leading to more efficient cleavage of the substrate. We attribute this enhancement in cleavage efficiency to the LNA-mediated improvement in the hybridization of the antagomirzyme·target complex. Functional validation of the relative activities was accomplished through the luciferase reporter assay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Both the unmodified and LNA-modified antagomirzymes were very active in ensuing efficient miRNA knockdown; however, compared to the DNAzymes, the LNAzymes were almost 25% more active. A direct quantitative estimate of miRNA cleavage, conducted using qRT-PCR, further substantiated the data by indicating that LNAzyme effectively downregulated the levels of mature miRNA (up to 50%) versus the corresponding DNAzymes. Our data thus provide formative evidence of the successful employment of LNA-based antagomirzymes against miRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harleen Kaur
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, CSIR, Delhi, India
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11
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Park SM, Nam SJ, Jeong HS, Kim WJ, Kim BH. The effects of the 4-(4-Methylpiperazine)phenyl group on nucleosides and oligonucleotides: cellular delivery, detection, and stability. Chem Asian J 2010; 6:487-92. [PMID: 21254426 DOI: 10.1002/asia.201000574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2010] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
As drug candidates, one promising way to improve the cellular delivery efficacy of oligonucleotides is to introduce a cationic group. By introducing a cationic moiety into the oligonucleotide structure, they become capable of approaching the cell surface and also of crossing the cellular membrane. In an effort to develop cell-permeable oligonucleotides, we examined the piperazinephenyl-bearing 2'-deoxyuridine ((PP)U), which can be not only cationic but also fluorescent as a cationic monomer for cationic oligonucleotides. Several modified DNA oligonucleotides with different numbers of (PP)U building blocks were synthesized and evaluated for the effect on thermal stability and conformation by the introduction of (PP)U. The cellular delivery of modified oligonucleotides was different depending on the number of (PP)U building blocks. Furthermore, these (PP)U-modified oligonucleotides had sufficient fluorescence that we were able to identify the delivery results without the use of conventional fluorescent tags. They were predominantly localized in the cell cytoplasm. In addition, they were stable enough after 3 hours in the presence of nuclease. These results showed that a piperazinephenyl moiety that is conjugated with nucleobase is able to deliver and detect the oligonucleotides, which suggests that this concept of 'dual-function oligonucleotides' might be utilized in diagnostics, therapeutics, and as a convenient biological tool for probing the activity of oligonucleotides inside cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Min Park
- Department of Chemistry, BK School of Molecular Science, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang, 790-784, Republic of Korea
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12
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Gagnon KT, Pendergraff HM, Deleavey GF, Swayze EE, Potier P, Randolph J, Roesch EB, Chattopadhyaya J, Damha MJ, Bennett CF, Montaillier C, Lemaitre M, Corey DR. Allele-selective inhibition of mutant huntingtin expression with antisense oligonucleotides targeting the expanded CAG repeat. Biochemistry 2010; 49:10166-78. [PMID: 21028906 DOI: 10.1021/bi101208k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a currently incurable neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat within the huntingtin (HTT) gene. Therapeutic approaches include selectively inhibiting the expression of the mutated HTT allele while conserving function of the normal allele. We have evaluated a series of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeted to the expanded CAG repeat within HTT mRNA for their ability to selectively inhibit expression of mutant HTT protein. Several ASOs incorporating a variety of modifications, including bridged nucleic acids and phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages, exhibited allele-selective silencing in patient-derived fibroblasts. Allele-selective ASOs did not affect the expression of other CAG repeat-containing genes and selectivity was observed in cell lines containing minimal CAG repeat lengths representative of most HD patients. Allele-selective ASOs left HTT mRNA intact and did not support ribonuclease H activity in vitro. We observed cooperative binding of multiple ASO molecules to CAG repeat-containing HTT mRNA transcripts in vitro. These results are consistent with a mechanism involving inhibition at the level of translation. ASOs targeted to the CAG repeat of HTT provide a starting point for the development of oligonucleotide-based therapeutics that can inhibit gene expression with allelic discrimination in patients with HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith T Gagnon
- Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, ND8.136B, Dallas, Texas 75390-9041, United States
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Kierzek E, Pasternak A, Pasternak K, Gdaniec Z, Yildirim I, Turner DH, Kierzek R. Contributions of stacking, preorganization, and hydrogen bonding to the thermodynamic stability of duplexes between RNA and 2'-O-methyl RNA with locked nucleic acids. Biochemistry 2009; 48:4377-87. [PMID: 19348504 DOI: 10.1021/bi9002056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Locked nucleic acids (LNA) considerably enhance the thermodynamic stability of DNA and RNA duplexes. We report the thermodynamic stabilities of LNA-2'-O-methyl RNA/RNA duplexes designed to provide insight into the contributions of stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions to the enhanced stability. The results show that hydrogen bonding of LNA nucleotides is similar to that of 2'-O-methyl RNA nucleotides, whereas the 3'-stacking interactions are on average approximately 0.7 kcal/mol more favorable at 37 degrees C than for 2'-O-methyl or RNA nucleotides. Moreover, NMR spectra suggest helical preorganization of the single-stranded tetramer, C(L)A(M)A(L)U(M), probably due to restriction of some torsion angles. Thus, enhanced stacking interactions and helical preorganization of single-stranded oligonucleotides contribute to the extraordinary stabilization of duplexes by LNA nucleotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elzbieta Kierzek
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 60-714 Poznan, Noskowskiego 12/14, Poland.
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Fratczak A, Kierzek R, Kierzek E. LNA-modified primers drastically improve hybridization to target RNA and reverse transcription. Biochemistry 2009; 48:514-6. [PMID: 19119855 DOI: 10.1021/bi8021069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Knowledge about the structure of RNA is crucial to understanding its biological activities. Very often, the presence of unusually thermodynamically stable structural fragments in RNAs, such as hairpins, makes it impossible to apply primer extension to visualize the results of chemical mapping experiments. However, replacement of DNA primers with LNA-modified primers overcomes this limitation. This approach was tested successfully on regulatory OxyS RNA and DsrA RNA from Escherichia coli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Fratczak
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
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Kumar N, Patowary A, Sivasubbu S, Petersen M, Maiti S. Silencing c-MYC expression by targeting quadruplex in P1 promoter using locked nucleic acid trap. Biochemistry 2009; 47:13179-88. [PMID: 19053274 DOI: 10.1021/bi801064j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The nuclease hypersensitive element of P1 promoter in c-MYC gene harbors a potential of unusual structure called quadruplex, which is involved in molecular recognition and function. This Hoogsteen bonded structure is in dynamic equilibrium with the usual Watson-Crick duplex structure, and these competing secondary structures undergo interconversion for execution of their respective biological roles. Herein, we investigate the sensitivity of the c-MYC quadruplex-duplex equilibrium by employing a locked nucleic acid (LNA) modified complementary strand as a pharmacological agent. Our biophysical experiments indicate that the c-MYC quadruplex under physiological conditions is stable and dominates the quadruplex-WC duplex equilibrium in both sodium and potassium buffers. This equilibrium is perturbed upon introducing the LNA modified complementary strand, which demonstrates efficient invasion of stable c-MYC quadruplex and duplex formation in contrast to the unmodified complementary strand. Our data indicate that LNA modifications confer increased thermodynamic stability to the duplex and thus favor the predominance of the duplex population over that of the quadruplex. Further, we demonstrate that this perturbation of equilibrium by a pharmacological agent results in altered gene expression. Our in vivo experiment performed using the LNA modified complementary strand suggests the influence of the quadruplex-duplex structural switch in the modulation of gene expression. We believe that this exploratory approach utilizing the selectivity and specificity of Watson-Crick base pairing of LNA bases would allow the modulation of quadruplex regulated gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niti Kumar
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, CSIR, Mall Road, Delhi 110007, India
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Kaur H, Babu BR, Maiti S. Perspectives on chemistry and therapeutic applications of Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA). Chem Rev 2007; 107:4672-97. [PMID: 17944519 DOI: 10.1021/cr050266u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 232] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Harleen Kaur
- Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, CSIR, Mall Road, Delhi 110 007, India
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