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An Z, Jiang A, Chen J. Toward understanding the role of genomic repeat elements in neurodegenerative diseases. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:646-659. [PMID: 38886931 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases cause great medical and economic burdens for both patients and society; however, the complex molecular mechanisms thereof are not yet well understood. With the development of high-coverage sequencing technology, researchers have started to notice that genomic repeat regions, previously neglected in search of disease culprits, are active contributors to multiple neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we describe the association between repeat element variants and multiple degenerative diseases through genome-wide association studies and targeted sequencing. We discuss the identification of disease-relevant repeat element variants, further powered by the advancement of long-read sequencing technologies and their related tools, and summarize recent findings in the molecular mechanisms of repeat element variants in brain degeneration, such as those causing transcriptional silencing or RNA-mediated gain of toxic function. Furthermore, we describe how in silico predictions using innovative computational models, such as deep learning language models, could enhance and accelerate our understanding of the functional impact of repeat element variants. Finally, we discuss future directions to advance current findings for a better understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and the clinical applications of genomic repeat elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyu An
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Aidi Jiang
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingqi Chen
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Zhangjiang Fudan International Innovation Center, Shanghai, China
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2
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Herrera ML, Paraíso-Luna J, Bustos-Martínez I, Barco Á. Targeting epigenetic dysregulation in autism spectrum disorders. Trends Mol Med 2024:S1471-4914(24)00162-X. [PMID: 38971705 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 06/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a range of neurodevelopmental pathologies characterized by deficits in social interaction and repetitive behaviors, collectively affecting almost 1% of the worldwide population. Deciphering the etiology of ASD has proven challenging due to the intricate interplay of genetic and environmental factors and the variety of molecular pathways affected. Epigenomic alterations have emerged as key players in ASD etiology. Their research has led to the identification of biomarkers for diagnosis and pinpointed specific gene targets for therapeutic interventions. This review examines the role of epigenetic alterations, resulting from both genetic and environmental influences, as a central causative factor in ASD, delving into its contribution to pathogenesis and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena L Herrera
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Av. Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain
| | - Juan Paraíso-Luna
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Av. Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain
| | - Isabel Bustos-Martínez
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Av. Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain
| | - Ángel Barco
- Instituto de Neurociencias (Universidad Miguel Hernández - Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Av. Santiago Ramón y Cajal s/n, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain.
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3
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Protic D, Hagerman R. State-of-the-art therapies for fragile X syndrome. Dev Med Child Neurol 2024; 66:863-871. [PMID: 38385885 PMCID: PMC11144093 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a full mutation (> 200 CGG repeats) in the FMR1 gene. FXS is the leading cause of inherited intellectual disabilities and the most commonly known genetic cause of autism spectrum disorder. Children with FXS experience behavioral and sleep problems, anxiety, inattention, learning difficulties, and speech and language delays. There are no approved medications for FXS; however, there are several interventions and treatments aimed at managing the symptoms and improving the quality of life of individuals with FXS. A combination of non-pharmacological therapies and pharmacotherapy is currently the most effective treatment for FXS. Currently, several targeted treatments, such as metformin, sertraline, and cannabidiol, can be used by clinicians to treat FXS. Gene therapy is rapidly developing and holds potential as a prospective treatment option. Soon its efficacy and safety in patients with FXS will be demonstrated. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Targeted treatment of fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the best current therapeutic approach. Gene therapy holds potential as a prospective treatment for FXS in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dragana Protic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- Fragile X Clinic, Special Hospital for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Neurology, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Randi Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
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4
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Zhang W, Wang H, Chen S, Fan X, Liu Y, Shi S, Wang R. Reactivation of methylation-silenced PAX1 inhibits cervical cancer proliferation and migration via the WNT/TIMELESS pathway. Mol Carcinog 2024; 63:1349-1361. [PMID: 38712797 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23728] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Although aberrant methylation of PAX1 is closely associated with cervical cancer (CC), PAX1 methylation (PAX1m) and its role in CC remain to be elucidated. Here, we clarified the biological function of PAX1 in CC. First, PAX1m in ThinPrep cytologic test samples was measured via quantitative methylation-specific PCR. The results showed that PAX1 promoter methylation levels were significantly increased in CC patients (p < 0.001). We also found that PAX1 promoter methylation levels were positively correlated with tumor purity but negatively correlated with immune-infiltration via public databases. Then, CRISPR-based methylation perturbation tools (dCas9-Tet1) were constructed to further demonstrate that DNA methylation participates in the regulation of PAX1 expression directly. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were used to show that PAX1 overexpression restrained proliferation, migration and improved cisplatin sensitivity by interfering with the WNT/TIMELESS axis in CC cells. Additionally, Co-immunoprecipitation assays further confirmed the interaction between PAX1 and TCF7L2. Taken together, our results suggested that a tumor suppressor role of PAX1 in CC and that CRISPR-based PAX1 demethylation editing might be a promising therapeutic strategy for CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfan Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tianjin Medical Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Huixi Wang
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shuang Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tianjin Medical Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xueting Fan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tianjin Medical Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuqing Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tianjin Medical Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shujuan Shi
- Department of Human Anatomy, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Rong Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Tianjin Medical Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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5
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Sandoval SO, Méndez-Albelo NM, Xu Z, Zhao X. From wings to whiskers to stem cells: why every model matters in fragile X syndrome research. J Neurodev Disord 2024; 16:30. [PMID: 38872088 PMCID: PMC11177515 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-024-09545-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is caused by epigenetic silencing of the X-linked fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene located on chromosome Xq27.3, which leads to the loss of its protein product, fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein (FMRP). It is the most prevalent inherited form of intellectual disability and the highest single genetic cause of autism. Since the discovery of the genetic basis of FXS, extensive studies using animal models and human pluripotent stem cells have unveiled the functions of FMRP and mechanisms underlying FXS. However, clinical trials have not yielded successful treatment. Here we review what we have learned from commonly used models for FXS, potential limitations of these models, and recommendations for future steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya O Sandoval
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Natasha M Méndez-Albelo
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Molecular Cellular Pharmacology Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Zhiyan Xu
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
- Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Xinyu Zhao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA.
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6
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Dhaliwal NK, Weng OY, Dong X, Bhattacharya A, Ahmed M, Nishimura H, Choi WWY, Aggarwal A, Luikart BW, Shu Q, Li X, Wilson MD, Moffat J, Wang LY, Muffat J, Li Y. Synergistic hyperactivation of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 underlies the neural abnormalities of PTEN-deficient human neurons and cortical organoids. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114173. [PMID: 38700984 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114173] [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: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) gene are associated with severe neurodevelopmental disorders. Loss of PTEN leads to hyperactivation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), which functions in two distinct protein complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. The downstream signaling mechanisms that contribute to PTEN mutant phenotypes are not well delineated. Here, we show that pluripotent stem cell-derived PTEN mutant human neurons, neural precursors, and cortical organoids recapitulate disease-relevant phenotypes, including hypertrophy, electrical hyperactivity, enhanced proliferation, and structural overgrowth. PTEN loss leads to simultaneous hyperactivation of mTORC1 and mTORC2. We dissect the contribution of mTORC1 and mTORC2 by generating double mutants of PTEN and RPTOR or RICTOR, respectively. Our results reveal that the synergistic hyperactivation of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 is essential for the PTEN mutant human neural phenotypes. Together, our findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie PTEN-related neural disorders and highlight novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navroop K Dhaliwal
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Octavia Yifang Weng
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Xiaoxue Dong
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; The Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310052, China; The Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Afrin Bhattacharya
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Mai Ahmed
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Haruka Nishimura
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Wendy W Y Choi
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Aditi Aggarwal
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Bryan W Luikart
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Qiang Shu
- The Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Xuekun Li
- The Children's Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310052, China; The Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, China
| | - Michael D Wilson
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Jason Moffat
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Lu-Yang Wang
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Julien Muffat
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Yun Li
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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7
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Zhang Y, Liu X, Li Z, Li H, Miao Z, Wan B, Xu X. Advances on the Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies in Non-coding CGG Repeat Expansion Diseases. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04239-9. [PMID: 38780719 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04239-9] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Non-coding CGG repeat expansions within the 5' untranslated region are implicated in a range of neurological disorders, including fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, oculopharyngeal myopathy with leukodystrophy, and oculopharyngodistal myopathy. This review outlined the general characteristics of diseases associated with non-coding CGG repeat expansions, detailing their clinical manifestations and neuroimaging patterns, which often overlap and indicate shared pathophysiological traits. We summarized the underlying molecular mechanisms of these disorders, providing new insights into the roles that DNA, RNA, and toxic proteins play. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. These strategies include a range of approaches, such as antisense oligonucleotides, RNA interference, genomic DNA editing, small molecule interventions, and other treatments aimed at correcting the dysregulated processes inherent in these disorders. A deeper understanding of the shared mechanisms among non-coding CGG repeat expansion disorders may hold the potential to catalyze the development of innovative therapies, ultimately offering relief to individuals grappling with these debilitating neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Zhang
- Departments of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, China
| | - Xuan Liu
- Departments of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, China
| | - Zeheng Li
- Departments of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, China
| | - Hao Li
- Departments of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, China
- Department of Neurology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215124, China
| | - Zhigang Miao
- The Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou City, China
| | - Bo Wan
- The Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou City, China
| | - Xingshun Xu
- Departments of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, China.
- The Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou City, China.
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215000, China.
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8
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Kantor B, Odonovan B, Rittiner J, Hodgson D, Lindner N, Guerrero S, Dong W, Zhang A, Chiba-Falek O. All-in-one AAV-delivered epigenome-editing platform: proof-of-concept and therapeutic implications for neurodegenerative disorders. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.04.14.536951. [PMID: 38798630 PMCID: PMC11118458 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.14.536951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Safely and efficiently controlling gene expression is a long-standing goal of biomedical research, and the recently discovered bacterial CRISPR/Cas system can be harnessed to create powerful tools for epigenetic editing. Current state-of-the-art systems consist of a deactivated-Cas9 nuclease (dCas9) fused to one of several epigenetic effector motifs/domains, along with a guide RNA (gRNA) which defines the genomic target. Such systems have been used to safely and effectively silence or activate a specific gene target under a variety of circumstances. Adeno-associated vectors (AAVs) are the therapeutic platform of choice for the delivery of genetic cargo; however, their small packaging capacity is not suitable for delivery of large constructs, which includes most CRISPR/dCas9-effector systems. To circumvent this, many AAV-based CRISPR/Cas tools are delivered in two pieces, from two separate viral cassettes. However, this approach requires higher viral payloads and usually is less efficient. Here we develop a compact dCas9-based repressor system packaged within a single, optimized AAV vector. The system uses a smaller dCas9 variant derived from Staphylococcus aureus ( Sa ). A novel repressor was engineered by fusing the small transcription repression domain (TRD) from MeCP2 with the KRAB repression domain. The final d Sa Cas9-KRAB-MeCP2(TRD) construct can be efficiently packaged, along with its associated gRNA, into AAV particles. Using reporter assays, we demonstrate that the platform is capable of robustly and sustainably repressing the expression of multiple genes-of-interest, both in vitro and in vivo . Moreover, we successfully reduced the expression of ApoE, the stronger genetic risk factor for late onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). This new platform will broaden the CRISPR/dCas9 toolset available for transcriptional manipulation of gene expression in research and therapeutic settings.
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9
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Xiao B, Dai W, Zhan Y, Qiu W, Zhang H, Liu D, Xu N, Yu Y. Genome-wide epigenetic signatures facilitated the variant classification of the PURA gene and uncovered the pathomechanism of PURA-related neurodevelopmental disorders. Genet Med 2024; 26:101167. [PMID: 38770750 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2024.101167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Rare genetic variants in the PURA gene cause the PURA-related neurodevelopmental disorder (PURA-NDD), characterized by neonatal abnormalities and developmental delay. Using genome-wide DNA methylation analysis on patients with PURA variants, we aim to establish a PURA-NDD-specific methylation profile and provide further insights on the molecular basis of the PURA-NDD. METHODS Twenty three individuals (including 12 unpublished) carrying PURA variants were enrolled. We conducted the Illumina Infinium EPIC microarray analysis in 17 PURA-NDD individuals. In vitro experiments were performed to examine how PURA variants affect Pur-a expression. RESULTS Additional phenotypes in 12 newly identified patients were described in this study. Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis unveiled distinctive methylation profiles to PURA-NDD, and the established classifier can reclassify PURA variants of uncertain significance. Patients bearing PURA hapoloinsufficient and missense variants have comparable DNA methylation profiles, and cells expressing these PURA variants showed consistent Pur-a downregulation, suggesting a haploinsufficiency mechanism. CONCLUSION Patients with PURA-NDD exhibit a specific episignature, which has potential to aid identification and diagnosis of PURA-NDD patients and offer implications for further functional investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Xiao
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiqian Dai
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongkun Zhan
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjuan Qiu
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiwen Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Na Xu
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yongguo Yu
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Shanghai, China.
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10
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Heinbockel H, Wagner AD, Schwabe L. Post-retrieval stress impairs subsequent memory depending on hippocampal memory trace reinstatement during reactivation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadm7504. [PMID: 38691596 PMCID: PMC11062581 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm7504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Upon retrieval, memories can become susceptible to meaningful events, such as stress. Post-retrieval memory changes may be attributed to an alteration of the original memory trace during reactivation-dependent reconsolidation or, alternatively, to the modification of retrieval-related memory traces that impact future remembering. Hence, how post-retrieval memory changes emerge in the human brain is unknown. In a 3-day functional magnetic resonance imaging study, we show that post-retrieval stress impairs subsequent memory depending on the strength of neural reinstatement of the original memory trace during reactivation, driven by the hippocampus and its cross-talk with neocortical representation areas. Comparison of neural patterns during immediate and final memory testing further revealed that successful retrieval was linked to pattern-dissimilarity in controls, suggesting the use of a different trace, whereas stressed participants relied on the original memory representation. These representation changes were again dependent on neocortical reinstatement during reactivation. Our findings show disruptive stress effects on the consolidation of retrieval-related memory traces that support future remembering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Heinbockel
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Universität Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anthony D. Wagner
- Department of Psychology, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Building 420, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Lars Schwabe
- Department of Cognitive Psychology, Universität Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
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11
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Reynolds KE, Huang E, Sabbineni M, Wiseman E, Murtaza N, Ahuja D, Napier M, Murphy KM, Singh KK, Scott AL. Purinergic Signalling Mediates Aberrant Excitability of Developing Neuronal Circuits in the Fmr1 Knockout Mouse Model. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04181-w. [PMID: 38652351 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04181-w] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Neuronal hyperexcitability within developing cortical circuits is a common characteristic of several heritable neurodevelopmental disorders, including Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). While this aberrant circuitry is typically studied from a neuron-centric perspective, glial cells secrete soluble factors that regulate both neurite extension and synaptogenesis during development. The nucleotide-mediated purinergic signalling system is particularly instrumental in facilitating these effects. We recently reported that within a FXS animal model, the Fmr1 KO mouse, the purinergic signalling system is upregulated in cortical astrocytes leading to altered secretion of synaptogenic and plasticity-related proteins. In this study, we examined whether elevated astrocyte purinergic signalling also impacts neuronal morphology and connectivity of Fmr1 KO cortical neurons. Here, we found that conditioned media from primary Fmr1 KO astrocytes was sufficient to enhance neurite extension and complexity of both wildtype and Fmr1 KO neurons to a similar degree as UTP-mediated outgrowth. Significantly enhanced firing was also observed in Fmr1 KO neuron-astrocyte co-cultures grown on microelectrode arrays but was associated with large deficits in firing synchrony. The selective P2Y2 purinergic receptor antagonist AR-C 118925XX effectively normalized much of the aberrant Fmr1 KO activity, designating P2Y2 as a potential therapeutic target in FXS. These results not only demonstrate the importance of astrocyte soluble factors in the development of neural circuitry, but also show that P2Y purinergic receptors play a distinct role in pathological FXS neuronal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn E Reynolds
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Eileen Huang
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Monica Sabbineni
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Eliza Wiseman
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Nadeem Murtaza
- McMaster Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Desmond Ahuja
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Matt Napier
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 488 Gordon St, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Kathryn M Murphy
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | - Angela L Scott
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 488 Gordon St, Guelph, ON, Canada.
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12
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Qian J, Liu SX. CRISPR/dCas9-Tet1-Mediated DNA Methylation Editing. Bio Protoc 2024; 14:e4976. [PMID: 38686348 PMCID: PMC11056002 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mechanism underlying many biological processes, and its aberrant regulation has been tightly associated with various human diseases. Precise manipulation of DNA methylation holds the promise to advance our understanding of this critical mechanism and to develop novel therapeutic methods. Previously, we were only able to alter genome-wide DNA methylation by treating with small molecules (e.g., 5-Aza-2-deoxycytidine) or perturbing relevant genes (e.g., DNA methyltransferase) targetlessly, which makes it challenging to investigate the functional significance of this epigenetic mark at specific genomic loci. By fusing the catalytic domain of a key enzyme in the DNA demethylation process (Ten-eleven translocation dioxygenases 1, Tet1) with a reprogrammable sequence-specific DNA-targeting molecular protein, dCas9, we developed a DNA methylation editing tool (dCas9-Tet1) to demethylate specific genomic loci in a targeted manner. This dCas9-Tet1 system allows us to study the role of DNA methylation at almost any given loci with only the replacement of a single-guide RNA. Here, we describe a protocol that enables modular and scalable manipulation of DNA methylation at specific genomic loci in various cell cultures with high efficiency and specificity using the dCas9-Tet1 system. Key features • Precisely editing the DNA methylation of specific genomic loci in a targeted manner. • Fine-tuning gene expression without changing DNA sequence. • Applicable to many types of cell cultures and with the potential for ex vitro and in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junming Qian
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shawn X. Liu
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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13
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Chrzanowski S, Batra R. CRISPR-Based Gene Editing Techniques in Pediatric Neurological Disorders. Pediatr Neurol 2024; 153:166-174. [PMID: 38394831 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2024.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of gene editing technologies offers a unique opportunity to develop mutation-specific treatments for pediatric neurological disorders. Gene editing systems can potentially alter disease trajectory by correcting dysfunctional mutations or therapeutically altering gene expression. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based approaches are attractive gene therapy platforms to personalize treatments because of their specificity, ease of design, versatility, and cost. However, many such approaches remain in the early stages of development, with ongoing efforts to optimize editing efficiency, minimize unintended off-target effects, and mitigate pathologic immune responses. Given the rapid evolution of CRISPR-based therapies, it is prudent for the clinically based child neurologist to have a conceptual understanding of what such therapies may entail, including both benefits and risks and how such therapies may be clinically applied. In this review, we describe the fundamentals of CRISPR-based therapies, discuss the opportunities and challenges that have arisen, and highlight preclinical work in several pediatric neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Chrzanowski
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
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14
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Mohamad Zamberi NN, Abuhamad AY, Low TY, Mohtar MA, Syafruddin SE. dCas9 Tells Tales: Probing Gene Function and Transcription Regulation in Cancer. CRISPR J 2024; 7:73-87. [PMID: 38635328 DOI: 10.1089/crispr.2023.0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based genome editing is evolving into an essential tool in the field of biological and medical research. Notably, the development of catalytically deactivated Cas9 (dCas9) enzyme has substantially broadened its traditional boundaries in gene editing or perturbation. The conjugation of dCas9 with various molecular effectors allows precise control over transcriptional processes, epigenetic modifications, visualization of chromosomal dynamics, and several other applications. This expanded repertoire of CRISPR-Cas9 applications has emerged as an invaluable molecular tool kit that empowers researchers to comprehensively interrogate and gain insights into health and diseases. This review delves into the advancements in Cas9 protein engineering, specifically on the generation of various dCas9 tools that have significantly enhanced the CRISPR-based technology capability and versatility. We subsequently discuss the multifaceted applications of dCas9, especially in interrogating the regulation and function of genes that involve in supporting cancer pathogenesis. In addition, we also delineate the designing and utilization of dCas9-based tools as well as highlighting its current constraints and transformative potentials in cancer research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurul Nadia Mohamad Zamberi
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Malaysia, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Asmaa Y Abuhamad
- Bionanotechnology Research Group, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Teck Yew Low
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Malaysia, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - M Aiman Mohtar
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Malaysia, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
| | - Saiful Effendi Syafruddin
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Cheras, Malaysia, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Malaysia
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15
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Maussion G, Rocha C, Ramoz N. iPSC-derived models for anorexia nervosa research. Trends Mol Med 2024; 30:339-349. [PMID: 38472034 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.02.006] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder with genetic and epigenetic components that results in reduced food intake combined with alterations in the reward-processing network. While studies of patient cohorts and mouse models have uncovered genes and epigenetic changes associated with the disease, neuronal networks and brain areas preferentially activated and metabolic changes associated with reduced food intake, the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms remain unknown. The use of both 2D in vitro cultures and 3D models, namely organoids and spheroids, derived from either human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), would allow identification of cell type-specific changes associated with AN and comorbid diseases, to study preferential connections between brain areas and organs, and the development of therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Maussion
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada.
| | - Cecilia Rocha
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Nicolas Ramoz
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM U1266, Paris 75014, France; GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, CMME, Hôpital Sainte-Anne, Paris F-75014, France
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16
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Blum K, Bowirrat A, Baron D, Elman I, Makale MT, Cadet JL, Thanos PK, Hanna C, Ahmed R, Gondre-Lewis MC, Dennen CA, Braverman ER, Soni D, Carney P, Khalsa J, Modestino EJ, Barh D, Bagchi D, Badgaiyan RD, McLaughlin T, Cortese R, Ceccanti M, Murphy KT, Gupta A, Makale MT, Sunder K, Gold MS. Identification of stress-induced epigenetic methylation onto dopamine D2 gene and neurological and behavioral consequences. GENE & PROTEIN IN DISEASE 2024; 3:10.36922/gpd.1966. [PMID: 38766604 PMCID: PMC11100097 DOI: 10.36922/gpd.1966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2) gene has garnered substantial attention as one of the most extensively studied genes across various neuropsychiatric disorders. Since its initial association with severe alcoholism in 1990, particularly through the identification of the DRD2 Taq A1 allele, numerous international investigations have been conducted to elucidate its role in different conditions. As of February 22, 2024, there are 5485 articles focusing on the DRD2 gene listed in PUBMED. There have been 120 meta-analyses with mixed results. In our opinion, the primary cause of negative reports regarding the association of various DRD2 gene polymorphisms is the inadequate screening of controls, not adequately eliminating many hidden reward deficiency syndrome behaviors. Moreover, pleiotropic effects of DRD2 variants have been identified in neuropsychologic, neurophysiologic, stress response, social stress defeat, maternal deprivation, and gambling disorder, with epigenetic DNA methylation and histone post-translational negative methylation identified as discussed in this article. There are 70 articles listed in PUBMED for DNA methylation and 20 articles listed for histone methylation as of October 19, 2022. For this commentary, we did not denote DNA and/or histone methylation; instead, we provided a brief summary based on behavioral effects. Based on the fact that Blum and Noble characterized the DRD2 Taq A1 allele as a generalized reward gene and not necessarily specific alcoholism, it now behooves the field to find ways to either use effector moieties to edit the neuroepigenetic insults or possibly harness the idea of potentially removing negative mRNA-reduced expression by inducing "dopamine homeostasis."
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Blum
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Sports, Exercise & Mental Health, Western University of the Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States of America
- Institute of Psychology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Wright University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, United States of America
- Division of Nutrigenomics, The Kenneth Blum Behavioral Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX United States of America
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India
- Department of Nutrigenomic Research, Victory Nutrition International, Inc., Bonita Springs, FL, United States of America
- Division of Personalized Neuromodulation Research, Sunder Foundation, Palm Springs, CA, United States of America
| | - Abdalla Bowirrat
- Department of Molecular Biology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - David Baron
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Sports, Exercise & Mental Health, Western University of the Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States of America
| | - Igor Elman
- Division of Personalized Neuromodulation Research, Sunder Foundation, Palm Springs, CA, United States of America
- Cambridge Health Alliance, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Milan T. Makale
- Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, UC San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0819, United States of America
| | - Jean Lud Cadet
- Molecular Neuropsychiatry Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD., United States of America
| | - Panayotis K. Thanos
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions, Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biosciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States of America; Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY., United States of America
| | - Colin Hanna
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions, Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biosciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States of America; Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY., United States of America
| | - Rania Ahmed
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions, Clinical Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biosciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States of America; Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY., United States of America
| | - Marjorie C. Gondre-Lewis
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, and Developmental Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington D.C., United States of America
| | - Catherine A. Dennen
- Department of Family Medicine, Jefferson Health Northeast, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Eric R. Braverman
- Division of Nutrigenomics, The Kenneth Blum Behavioral Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX United States of America
| | - Diwanshu Soni
- Division of Addiction Research & Education, Center for Sports, Exercise & Mental Health, Western University of the Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, United States of America
| | - Paul Carney
- Division Pediatric Neurology, University of Missouri, School of Medicine, Columbia, MO., United States of America
| | - Jag Khalsa
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Edward J. Modestino
- Department of Psychology, Curry College, Milton, MA., United States of America
| | - Debmalya Barh
- Centre for Genomics and Applied Gene Technology, Institute of Integrative Omics and Applied Biotechnology, Nonakuri, Purba Medinipur, West Bengal, India
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Debasis Bagchi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Rajendra D. Badgaiyan
- Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland OH., 44106, USA and Department of Psychiatry, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Thomas McLaughlin
- Division of Nutrigenomics, The Kenneth Blum Behavioral Neurogenetic Institute, Austin, TX United States of America
| | - Rene Cortese
- Department of Child Health – Child Health Research Institute, & Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health School of Medicine, University of Missouri, MO, United States of America
| | - Mauro Ceccanti
- Alcohol Addiction Program, Latium Region Referral Center, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Kevin T. Murphy
- Division of Personalized Neuromodulation and Patient Care, PeakLogic, LLC, Del Mar, CA, United States of America
| | - Ashim Gupta
- Future Biologics, Lawrenceville, Georgia, 30043, United States of America
| | - Miles T. Makale
- Department of Psychology, UC San Diego, 3855 Health Sciences Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0819, United States of America
| | - Keerthy Sunder
- Division of Personalized Neuromodulation Research, Sunder Foundation, Palm Springs, CA, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, UC Riverside School of Medicine, Riverside, CA, United States of America
| | - Mark S. Gold
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
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17
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Westover KR, Jin P, Yao B. Bridging the gap: R-loop mediated genomic instability and its implications in neurological diseases. Epigenomics 2024; 16:589-608. [PMID: 38530068 PMCID: PMC11160457 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2023-0379] [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: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
R-loops, intricate three-stranded structures formed by RNA-DNA hybrids and an exposed non-template DNA strand, are fundamental to various biological phenomena. They carry out essential and contrasting functions within cellular mechanisms, underlining their critical role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. The specific cellular context that dictates R-loop formation determines their function, particularly emphasizing the necessity for their meticulous genomic regulation. Notably, the aberrant formation or misregulation of R-loops is implicated in numerous neurological disorders. This review focuses on the complex interactions between R-loops and double-strand DNA breaks, exploring how R-loop dysregulation potentially contributes to the pathogenesis of various brain disorders, which could provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underpinning neurological disease progression and identify potential therapeutic targets by highlighting these aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R Westover
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Bing Yao
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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18
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Randol JL, Kim K, Ponzini MD, Tassone F, Falcon AK, Hagerman RJ, Hagerman PJ. Variation of FMRP Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:356. [PMID: 38540415 PMCID: PMC10969917 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common heritable cause of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. The syndrome is often caused by greatly reduced or absent protein expression from the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene due to expansion of a 5'-non-coding trinucleotide (CGG) element beyond 200 repeats (full mutation). To better understand the complex relationships among FMR1 allelotype, methylation status, mRNA expression, and FMR1 protein (FMRP) levels, FMRP was quantified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells for a large cohort of FXS (n = 154) and control (n = 139) individuals using time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Considerable size and methylation mosaicism were observed among individuals with FXS, with FMRP detected only in the presence of such mosaicism. No sample with a minimum allele size greater than 273 CGG repeats had significant levels of FMRP. Additionally, an association was observed between FMR1 mRNA and FMRP levels in FXS samples, predominantly driven by those with the lowest FMRP values. This study underscores the complexity of FMR1 allelotypes and FMRP expression and prompts a reevaluation of FXS therapies aimed at reactivating large full mutation alleles that are likely not capable of producing sufficient FMRP to improve cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L. Randol
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Kyoungmi Kim
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Matthew D. Ponzini
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Flora Tassone
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Alexandria K. Falcon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Randi J. Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Paul J. Hagerman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, UC Davis Health, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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19
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Waldo JJ, Halmai JANM, Fink KD. Epigenetic editing for autosomal dominant neurological disorders. Front Genome Ed 2024; 6:1304110. [PMID: 38510848 PMCID: PMC10950933 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2024.1304110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics refers to the molecules and mechanisms that modify gene expression states without changing the nucleotide context. These modifications are what encode the cell state during differentiation or epigenetic memory in mitosis. Epigenetic modifications can alter gene expression by changing the chromatin architecture by altering the affinity for DNA to wrap around histone octamers, forming nucleosomes. The higher affinity the DNA has for the histones, the tighter it will wrap and therefore induce a heterochromatin state, silencing gene expression. Several groups have shown the ability to harness the cell's natural epigenetic modification pathways to engineer proteins that can induce changes in epigenetics and consequently regulate gene expression. Therefore, epigenetic modification can be used to target and treat disorders through the modification of endogenous gene expression. The use of epigenetic modifications may prove an effective path towards regulating gene expression to potentially correct or cure genetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kyle D. Fink
- Neurology Department, Stem Cell Program and Gene Therapy Center, MIND Institute, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento, CA, United States
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20
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Rohm D, Black JB, McCutcheon SR, Barrera A, Morone DJ, Nuttle X, de Esch CE, Tai DJ, Talkowski ME, Iglesias N, Gersbach CA. Activation of the imprinted Prader-Willi Syndrome locus by CRISPR-based epigenome editing. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.03.583177. [PMID: 38496583 PMCID: PMC10942373 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.03.583177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Epigenome editing with DNA-targeting technologies such as CRISPR-dCas9 can be used to dissect gene regulatory mechanisms and potentially treat associated disorders. For example, Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is caused by loss of paternally expressed imprinted genes on chromosome 15q11.2-q13.3, although the maternal allele is intact but epigenetically silenced. Using CRISPR repression and activation screens in human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), we identified genomic elements that control expression of the PWS gene SNRPN from the paternal and maternal chromosomes. We showed that either targeted transcriptional activation or DNA demethylation can activate the silenced maternal SNRPN and downstream PWS transcripts. However, these two approaches function at unique regions, preferentially activating different transcript variants and involving distinct epigenetic reprogramming mechanisms. Remarkably, transient expression of the targeted demethylase leads to stable, long-term maternal SNRPN expression in PWS iPSCs. This work uncovers targeted epigenetic manipulations to reprogram a disease-associated imprinted locus and suggests possible therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dahlia Rohm
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Joshua B. Black
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Sean R. McCutcheon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Alejandro Barrera
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Daniel J. Morone
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Xander Nuttle
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Celine E. de Esch
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Derek J.C. Tai
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Michael E. Talkowski
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Nahid Iglesias
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Charles A. Gersbach
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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21
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Martinez D, Jiang E, Zhou Z. Overcoming genetic and cellular complexity to study the pathophysiology of X-linked intellectual disabilities. J Neurodev Disord 2024; 16:5. [PMID: 38424476 PMCID: PMC10902969 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-024-09517-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
X-linked genetic causes of intellectual disability (ID) account for a substantial proportion of cases and remain poorly understood, in part due to the heterogeneous expression of X-linked genes in females. This is because most genes on the X chromosome are subject to random X chromosome inactivation (XCI) during early embryonic development, which results in a mosaic pattern of gene expression for a given X-linked mutant allele. This mosaic expression produces substantial complexity, especially when attempting to study the already complicated neural circuits that underly behavior, thus impeding the understanding of disease-related pathophysiology and the development of therapeutics. Here, we review a few selected X-linked forms of ID that predominantly affect heterozygous females and the current obstacles for developing effective therapies for such disorders. We also propose a genetic strategy to overcome the complexity presented by mosaicism in heterozygous females and highlight specific tools for studying synaptic and circuit mechanisms, many of which could be shared across multiple forms of intellectual disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayne Martinez
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
| | - Evan Jiang
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA
| | - Zhaolan Zhou
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA.
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA.
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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22
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Fang M, Deibler SK, Krishnamurthy PM, Wang F, Rodriguez P, Banday S, Virbasius CM, Sena-Esteves M, Watts JK, Green MR. EZH2 inhibition reactivates epigenetically silenced FMR1 and normalizes molecular and electrophysiological abnormalities in fragile X syndrome neurons. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1348478. [PMID: 38449737 PMCID: PMC10915284 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1348478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a neurological disorder caused by epigenetic silencing of the FMR1 gene. Reactivation of FMR1 is a potential therapeutic approach for FXS that would correct the root cause of the disease. Here, using a candidate-based shRNA screen, we identify nine epigenetic repressors that promote silencing of FMR1 in FXS cells (called FMR1 Silencing Factors, or FMR1- SFs). Inhibition of FMR1-SFs with shRNAs or small molecules reactivates FMR1 in cultured undifferentiated induced pluripotent stem cells, neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and post-mitotic neurons derived from FXS patients. One of the FMR1-SFs is the histone methyltransferase EZH2, for which an FDA-approved small molecule inhibitor, EPZ6438 (also known as tazemetostat), is available. We show that EPZ6438 substantially corrects the characteristic molecular and electrophysiological abnormalities of cultured FXS neurons. Unfortunately, EZH2 inhibitors do not efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier, limiting their therapeutic use for FXS. Recently, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based approaches have been developed as effective treatment options for certain central nervous system disorders. We therefore derived efficacious ASOs targeting EZH2 and demonstrate that they reactivate FMR1 expression and correct molecular and electrophysiological abnormalities in cultured FXS neurons, and reactivate FMR1 expression in human FXS NPCs engrafted within the brains of mice. Collectively, our results establish EZH2 inhibition in general, and EZH2 ASOs in particular, as a therapeutic approach for FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minggang Fang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sara K. Deibler
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - Feng Wang
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Paola Rodriguez
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Shahid Banday
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Ching-Man Virbasius
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Miguel Sena-Esteves
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Jonathan K. Watts
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Michael R. Green
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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23
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Sun X, Watanabe T, Oda Y, Shen W, Ahmad A, Ouda R, de Figueiredo P, Kitamura H, Tanaka S, Kobayashi KS. Targeted demethylation and activation of NLRC5 augment cancer immunogenicity through MHC class I. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2310821121. [PMID: 38300873 PMCID: PMC10861931 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310821121] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Impaired expression of MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class I in cancers constitutes a major mechanism of immune evasion. It has been well documented that the low level of MHC class I is associated with poor prognosis and resistance to checkpoint blockade therapies. However, there is lmited approaches to specifically induce MHC class I to date. Here, we show an approach for robust and specific induction of MHC class I by targeting an MHC class I transactivator (CITA)/NLRC5, using a CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-specific system, designated TRED-I (Targeted reactivation and demethylation for MHC-I). The TRED-I system specifically recruits a demethylating enzyme and transcriptional activators on the NLRC5 promoter, driving increased MHC class I antigen presentation and accelerated CD8+ T cell activation. Introduction of the TRED-I system in an animal cancer model exhibited tumor-suppressive effects accompanied with increased infiltration and activation of CD8+ T cells. Moreover, this approach boosted the efficacy of checkpoint blockade therapy using anti-PD1 (programmed cell death protein) antibody. Therefore, targeting NLRC5 by this strategy provides an attractive therapeutic approach for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Sun
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Watanabe
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Oda
- Department of Cancer Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
| | - Weidong Shen
- Division of Functional Immunology, Section of Disease Control, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
| | - Alaa Ahmad
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
| | - Ryota Ouda
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
| | - Paul de Figueiredo
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX77807
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO65211
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO65211
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of MissouriSchool of Veterinary Medicine, Columbia, MO65211
| | - Hidemitsu Kitamura
- Division of Functional Immunology, Section of Disease Control, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Toyo University, Kawagoe350-8585, Japan
| | - Shinya Tanaka
- Department of Cancer Pathology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
- Institute for Chemical Reaction Design and Discovery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo001-0021, Japan
| | - Koichi S. Kobayashi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Bryan, TX77807
- Institute for Vaccine Research and Development, Hokkaido University, Sapporo060-8638, Japan
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24
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Chen Y, Luo X, Kang R, Cui K, Ou J, Zhang X, Liang P. Current therapies for osteoarthritis and prospects of CRISPR-based genome, epigenome, and RNA editing in osteoarthritis treatment. J Genet Genomics 2024; 51:159-183. [PMID: 37516348 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2023.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common degenerative joint diseases worldwide, causing pain, disability, and decreased quality of life. The balance between regeneration and inflammation-induced degradation results in multiple etiologies and complex pathogenesis of OA. Currently, there is a lack of effective therapeutic strategies for OA treatment. With the development of CRISPR-based genome, epigenome, and RNA editing tools, OA treatment has been improved by targeting genetic risk factors, activating chondrogenic elements, and modulating inflammatory regulators. Supported by cell therapy and in vivo delivery vectors, genome, epigenome, and RNA editing tools may provide a promising approach for personalized OA therapy. This review summarizes CRISPR-based genome, epigenome, and RNA editing tools that can be applied to the treatment of OA and provides insights into the development of CRISPR-based therapeutics for OA treatment. Moreover, in-depth evaluations of the efficacy and safety of these tools in human OA treatment are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxi Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Rui Kang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Kaixin Cui
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China
| | - Jianping Ou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China
| | - Xiya Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, China.
| | - Puping Liang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510275, China.
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25
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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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26
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Zhu C, Hao Z, Liu D. Reshaping the Landscape of the Genome: Toolkits for Precise DNA Methylation Manipulation and Beyond. JACS AU 2024; 4:40-57. [PMID: 38274248 PMCID: PMC10806789 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
DNA methylation plays a pivotal role in various biological processes and is highly related to multiple diseases. The exact functions of DNA methylation are still puzzling due to its uneven distribution, dynamic conversion, and complex interactions with other substances. Current methods such as chemical- and enzyme-based sequencing techniques have enabled us to pinpoint DNA methylation at single-base resolution, which necessitated the manipulation of DNA methylation at comparable resolution to precisely illustrate the correlations and causal relationships between the functions of DNA methylation and its spatiotemporal patterns. Here a perspective on the past, recent process, and future of precise DNA methylation tools is provided. Specifically, genome-wide and site-specific manipulation of DNA methylation methods is discussed, with an emphasis on their principles, limitations, applications, and future developmental directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyou Zhu
- Engineering
Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials, Ministry of Education,
Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ziyang Hao
- School
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Capital Medical
University, Beijing, 100069, PR China
| | - Dongsheng Liu
- Engineering
Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials, Ministry of Education,
Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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27
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Zhang J, Zhu B. Short, but matters: short tandem repeats confer variation in transcription factor-DNA binding. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2024; 69:9-10. [PMID: 38042705 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.11.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Bing Zhu
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Key Laboratory of Epigenetic Regulation and Intervention, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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28
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Malachowski T, Chandradoss KR, Boya R, Zhou L, Cook AL, Su C, Pham K, Haws SA, Kim JH, Ryu HS, Ge C, Luppino JM, Nguyen SC, Titus KR, Gong W, Wallace O, Joyce EF, Wu H, Rojas LA, Phillips-Cremins JE. Spatially coordinated heterochromatinization of long synaptic genes in fragile X syndrome. Cell 2023; 186:5840-5858.e36. [PMID: 38134876 PMCID: PMC10794044 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Short tandem repeat (STR) instability causes transcriptional silencing in several repeat expansion disorders. In fragile X syndrome (FXS), mutation-length expansion of a CGG STR represses FMR1 via local DNA methylation. Here, we find megabase-scale H3K9me3 domains on autosomes and encompassing FMR1 on the X chromosome in FXS patient-derived iPSCs, iPSC-derived neural progenitors, EBV-transformed lymphoblasts, and brain tissue with mutation-length CGG expansion. H3K9me3 domains connect via inter-chromosomal interactions and demarcate severe misfolding of TADs and loops. They harbor long synaptic genes replicating at the end of S phase, replication-stress-induced double-strand breaks, and STRs prone to stepwise somatic instability. CRISPR engineering of the mutation-length CGG to premutation length reverses H3K9me3 on the X chromosome and multiple autosomes, refolds TADs, and restores gene expression. H3K9me3 domains can also arise in normal-length iPSCs created with perturbations linked to genome instability, suggesting their relevance beyond FXS. Our results reveal Mb-scale heterochromatinization and trans interactions among loci susceptible to instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Malachowski
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Keerthivasan Raanin Chandradoss
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ravi Boya
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Linda Zhou
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ashley L Cook
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chuanbin Su
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kenneth Pham
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Spencer A Haws
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ji Hun Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Han-Seul Ryu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Chunmin Ge
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer M Luppino
- Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Son C Nguyen
- Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katelyn R Titus
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wanfeng Gong
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Owen Wallace
- Fulcrum Therapeutics Incorporated, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Eric F Joyce
- Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hao Wu
- Fulcrum Therapeutics Incorporated, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Jennifer E Phillips-Cremins
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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29
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Shen M, Sirois CL, Guo Y, Li M, Dong Q, Méndez-Albelo NM, Gao Y, Khullar S, Kissel L, Sandoval SO, Wolkoff NE, Huang SX, Xu Z, Bryan JE, Contractor AM, Korabelnikov T, Glass IA, Doherty D, Levine JE, Sousa AMM, Chang Q, Bhattacharyya A, Wang D, Werling DM, Zhao X. Species-specific FMRP regulation of RACK1 is critical for prenatal cortical development. Neuron 2023; 111:3988-4005.e11. [PMID: 37820724 PMCID: PMC10841112 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 protein (FMRP) deficiency leads to fragile X syndrome (FXS), an autism spectrum disorder. The role of FMRP in prenatal human brain development remains unclear. Here, we show that FMRP is important for human and macaque prenatal brain development. Both FMRP-deficient neurons in human fetal cortical slices and FXS patient stem cell-derived neurons exhibit mitochondrial dysfunctions and hyperexcitability. Using multiomics analyses, we have identified both FMRP-bound mRNAs and FMRP-interacting proteins in human neurons and unveiled a previously unknown role of FMRP in regulating essential genes during human prenatal development. We demonstrate that FMRP interaction with CNOT1 maintains the levels of receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1), a species-specific FMRP target. Genetic reduction of RACK1 leads to both mitochondrial dysfunctions and hyperexcitability, resembling FXS neurons. Finally, enhancing mitochondrial functions rescues deficits of FMRP-deficient cortical neurons during prenatal development, demonstrating targeting mitochondrial dysfunction as a potential treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjie Shen
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Carissa L Sirois
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Yu Guo
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Meng Li
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Qiping Dong
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Natasha M Méndez-Albelo
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Molecular Cellular Pharmacology Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Yu Gao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Saniya Khullar
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Departments of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Lee Kissel
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Soraya O Sandoval
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Natalie E Wolkoff
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Sabrina X Huang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Zhiyan Xu
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Graduate Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Jonathan E Bryan
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Departments of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Amaya M Contractor
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Tomer Korabelnikov
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Ian A Glass
- Birth Defects Research Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Dan Doherty
- Birth Defects Research Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jon E Levine
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - André M M Sousa
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Qiang Chang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Anita Bhattacharyya
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Daifeng Wang
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Departments of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - Donna M Werling
- Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Xinyu Zhao
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA; Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA.
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30
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Liu J, Chen Y, Nong B, Luo X, Cui K, Li Z, Zhang P, Tan W, Yang Y, Ma W, Liang P, Songyang Z. CRISPR-assisted transcription activation by phase-separation proteins. Protein Cell 2023; 14:874-887. [PMID: 36905356 PMCID: PMC10691850 DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwad013] [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: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas9 system has been widely used for genome engineering and transcriptional regulation in many different organisms. Current CRISPR-activation (CRISPRa) platforms often require multiple components because of inefficient transcriptional activation. Here, we fused different phase-separation proteins to dCas9-VPR (dCas9-VP64-P65-RTA) and observed robust increases in transcriptional activation efficiency. Notably, human NUP98 (nucleoporin 98) and FUS (fused in sarcoma) IDR domains were best at enhancing dCas9-VPR activity, with dCas9-VPR-FUS IDR (VPRF) outperforming the other CRISPRa systems tested in this study in both activation efficiency and system simplicity. dCas9-VPRF overcomes the target strand bias and widens gRNA designing windows without affecting the off-target effect of dCas9-VPR. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of using phase-separation proteins to assist in the regulation of gene expression and support the broad appeal of the dCas9-VPRF system in basic and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yuxi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Baoting Nong
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Kaixin Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Zhan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Pengfei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | | | - Yue Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Wenbin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Puping Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Zhou Songyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation and Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
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Sasaki-Honda M, Akatsuka K, Sawai T. Is epigenome editing non-inheritable? Implications for ethics and the regulation of human applications. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:2005-2009. [PMID: 37922912 PMCID: PMC10679648 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenome editing offers ethical advantages with non-inheritable gene expression control. However, concerns arise regarding potential transgenerational effects in humans. Ethical and regulatory evaluation is crucial, considering recent advancements and enhanced understanding of transgenerational epigenetics in both mammals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuru Sasaki-Honda
- Department of Clinical Application, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology of Cantabria, CSIC/Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
| | - Kyoko Akatsuka
- Uehiro Research Division for iPS Cell Ethics, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Sawai
- Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan; Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan; Centre for Biomedical Ethics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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32
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Edey J, Soleimani-Nouri P, Dawson-Kavanagh A, Imran Azeem MS, Episkopou V. X-linked neuronal migration disorders: Gender differences and insights for genetic screening. Int J Dev Neurosci 2023; 83:581-599. [PMID: 37574439 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cortical development depends on neuronal migration of both excitatory and inhibitory interneurons. Neuronal migration disorders (NMDs) are conditions characterised by anatomical cortical defects leading to varying degrees of neurocognitive impairment, developmental delay and seizures. Refractory epilepsy affects 15 million people worldwide, and it is thought that cortical developmental disorders are responsible for 25% of childhood cases. However, little is known about the epidemiology of these disorders, nor are their aetiologies fully understood, though many are associated with sporadic genetic mutations. In this review, we aim to highlight X-linked NMDs including lissencephaly, periventricular nodular heterotopia and polymicrogyria because of their mostly familial inheritance pattern. We focus on the most prominent genes responsible: including DCX, ARX, FLNA, FMR1, L1CAM, SRPX2, DDX3X, NSHDL, CUL4B and OFD1, outlining what is known about their prevalence among NMDs, and the underlying pathophysiology. X-linked disorders are important to recognise clinically, as females often have milder phenotypes. Consequently, there is a greater chance they survive to reproductive age and risk passing the mutations down. Effective genetic screening is important to prevent and treat these conditions, and for this, we need to know gene mutations and have a clear understanding of the function of the genes involved. This review summarises the knowledge base and provides clear direction for future work by both scientists and clinicians alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliet Edey
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Payam Soleimani-Nouri
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | | | | | - Vasso Episkopou
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
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Fadul SM, Arshad A, Mehmood R. CRISPR-based epigenome editing: mechanisms and applications. Epigenomics 2023; 15:1137-1155. [PMID: 37990877 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2023-0281] [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] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenomic anomalies contribute significantly to the development of numerous human disorders. The development of epigenetic research tools is essential for understanding how epigenetic marks contribute to gene expression. A gene-editing technique known as CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) typically targets a particular DNA sequence using a guide RNA (gRNA). CRISPR/Cas9 technology has been remodeled for epigenome editing by generating a 'dead' Cas9 protein (dCas9) that lacks nuclease activity and juxtaposing it with an epigenetic effector domain. Based on fusion partners of dCas9, a specific epigenetic state can be achieved. CRISPR-based epigenome editing has widespread application in drug screening, cancer treatment and regenerative medicine. This paper discusses the tools developed for CRISPR-based epigenome editing and their applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaima M Fadul
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science & General Studies, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, 11533, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Aleeza Arshad
- Medical Teaching Insitute, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, 22020, Pakistan
| | - Rashid Mehmood
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science & General Studies, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, 11533, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Zhang YR, Yin TL, Zhou LQ. CRISPR/Cas9 technology: applications in oocytes and early embryos. J Transl Med 2023; 21:746. [PMID: 37875936 PMCID: PMC10594749 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04610-9] [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: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9, a highly versatile genome-editing tool, has garnered significant attention in recent years. Despite the unique characteristics of oocytes and early embryos compared to other cell types, this technology has been increasing used in mammalian reproduction. In this comprehensive review, we elucidate the fundamental principles of CRISPR/Cas9-related methodologies and explore their wide-ranging applications in deciphering molecular intricacies during oocyte and early embryo development as well as in addressing associated diseases. However, it is imperative to acknowledge the limitations inherent to these technologies, including the potential for off-target effects, as well as the ethical concerns surrounding the manipulation of human embryos. Thus, a judicious and thoughtful approach is warranted. Regardless of these challenges, CRISPR/Cas9 technology undeniably represents a formidable tool for genome and epigenome manipulation within oocytes and early embryos. Continuous refinements in this field are poised to fortify its future prospects and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ran Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tai-Lang Yin
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University & Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China.
| | - Li-Quan Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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35
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Chaoul V, Dib EY, Bedran J, Khoury C, Shmoury O, Harb F, Soueid J. Assessing Drug Administration Techniques in Zebrafish Models of Neurological Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14898. [PMID: 37834345 PMCID: PMC10573323 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914898] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurological diseases, including neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, affect nearly one in six of the world's population. The burden of the resulting deaths and disability is set to rise during the next few decades as a consequence of an aging population. To address this, zebrafish have become increasingly prominent as a model for studying human neurological diseases and exploring potential therapies. Zebrafish offer numerous benefits, such as genetic homology and brain similarities, complementing traditional mammalian models and serving as a valuable tool for genetic screening and drug discovery. In this comprehensive review, we highlight various drug delivery techniques and systems employed for therapeutic interventions of neurological diseases in zebrafish, and evaluate their suitability. We also discuss the challenges encountered during this process and present potential advancements in innovative techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Chaoul
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon; (V.C.); (J.B.); (O.S.)
| | - Emanuel-Youssef Dib
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Kalhat P.O. Box 100, Lebanon; (E.-Y.D.); (C.K.)
| | - Joe Bedran
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon; (V.C.); (J.B.); (O.S.)
| | - Chakib Khoury
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Kalhat P.O. Box 100, Lebanon; (E.-Y.D.); (C.K.)
| | - Omar Shmoury
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon; (V.C.); (J.B.); (O.S.)
| | - Frédéric Harb
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of Balamand, Kalhat P.O. Box 100, Lebanon; (E.-Y.D.); (C.K.)
| | - Jihane Soueid
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon; (V.C.); (J.B.); (O.S.)
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Forrest MP, Penzes P. Mechanisms of copy number variants in neuropsychiatric disorders: From genes to therapeutics. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 82:102750. [PMID: 37515924 PMCID: PMC10529795 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102750] [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: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Copy number variants (CNVs) are genomic imbalances strongly linked to the aetiology of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. By virtue of their large size, CNVs often contain many genes, providing a multi-genic view of disease processes that can be dissected in model systems. Thus, CNV research provides an important stepping stone towards understanding polygenic disease mechanisms, positioned between monogenic and polygenic risk models. In this review, we will outline hypothetical models for gene interactions occurring within CNVs and discuss different approaches used to study rodent and stem cell disease models. We highlight recent work showing that genetic and pharmacological strategies can be used to rescue important aspects of CNV-mediated pathophysiology, which often converges onto synaptic pathways. We propose that using a rescue approach in complete CNV models provides a new path forward for precise mechanistic understanding of complex disorders and a tangible route towards therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc P Forrest
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
| | - Peter Penzes
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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37
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Mesaki K, Juvet S, Yeung J, Guan Z, Wilson GW, Hu J, Davidson AR, Kleinstiver BP, Cypel M, Liu M, Keshavjee S. Immunomodulation of the donor lung with CRISPR-mediated activation of IL-10 expression. J Heart Lung Transplant 2023; 42:1363-1377. [PMID: 37315746 PMCID: PMC10538378 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammatory injury in the donor lung remains a persistent challenge in lung transplantation that limits donor organ usage and post-transplant outcomes. Inducing immunomodulatory capacity in donor organs could address this unsolved clinical problem. We sought to apply clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated (Cas) technologies to the donor lung to fine-tune immunomodulatory gene expression, exploring for the first time the therapeutic use of CRISPR-mediated transcriptional activation in the whole donor lung. METHODS We explored the feasibility of CRISPR-mediated transcriptional upregulation of interleukin 10 (IL-10), a key immunomodulatory cytokine, in vitro and in vivo. We first evaluated the potency, titratability, and multiplexibility of the gene activation in rat and human cell lines. Next, in vivo CRISPR-mediated IL-10 activation was characterized in rat lungs. Finally, the IL-10-activated donor lungs were transplanted into recipient rats to assess the feasibility in a transplant setting. RESULTS The targeted transcriptional activation induced robust and titrable IL-10 upregulation in vitro. The combination of guide RNAs also facilitated multiplex gene modulation, that is, simultaneous activation of IL-10 and IL1 receptor antagonist. In vivo profiling demonstrated that adenoviral delivery of Cas9-based activators to the lung was feasible with the use of immunosuppression, which is routinely applied to organ transplant recipients. The transcriptionally modulated donor lungs retained IL-10 upregulation in isogeneic and allogeneic recipients. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the potential of CRISPR epigenome editing to improve lung transplant outcomes by creating a more favorable immunomodulatory environment in the donor organ, a paradigm that may be extendable to other organ transplants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumi Mesaki
- From the Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen Juvet
- From the Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan Yeung
- From the Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zehong Guan
- From the Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gavin W Wilson
- From the Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jim Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Translation Medicine Program, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alan R Davidson
- Department of Biochemistry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Benjamin P Kleinstiver
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marcelo Cypel
- From the Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mingyao Liu
- From the Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shaf Keshavjee
- From the Latner Thoracic Research Laboratories, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Griazeva ED, Fedoseeva DM, Radion EI, Ershov PV, Meshkov IO, Semyanihina AV, Makarova AS, Makarov VV, Yudin VS, Keskinov AA, Kraevoy SA. Current Approaches to Epigenetic Therapy. EPIGENOMES 2023; 7:23. [PMID: 37873808 PMCID: PMC10594535 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes7040023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic therapy is a promising tool for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. Several fundamental epigenetic approaches have been proposed. Firstly, the use of small molecules as epigenetic effectors, as the most developed pharmacological method, has contributed to the introduction of a number of drugs into clinical practice. Secondly, various innovative epigenetic approaches based on dCas9 and the use of small non-coding RNAs as therapeutic agents are also under extensive research. In this review, we present the current state of research in the field of epigenetic therapy, considering the prospects for its application and possible limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina D. Griazeva
- Federal State Budgetary Institution, Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Pogodinskaya Str., 10, Building 1, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Daria M. Fedoseeva
- Federal State Budgetary Institution, Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Pogodinskaya Str., 10, Building 1, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Elizaveta I. Radion
- Federal State Budgetary Institution, Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Pogodinskaya Str., 10, Building 1, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Pavel V. Ershov
- Federal State Budgetary Institution, Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Pogodinskaya Str., 10, Building 1, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Ivan O. Meshkov
- Federal State Budgetary Institution, Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Pogodinskaya Str., 10, Building 1, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Alexandra V. Semyanihina
- Federal State Budgetary Institution, Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Pogodinskaya Str., 10, Building 1, Moscow 119121, Russia
- Federal State Budgetary Institution “N.N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (N.N. Blokhin NMRCO), Kashirskoe Shosse, 24, Moscow 115478, Russia
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Moskvorechye, 1, Moscow 115522, Russia
| | - Anna S. Makarova
- Federal State Budgetary Institution, Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Pogodinskaya Str., 10, Building 1, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Valentin V. Makarov
- Federal State Budgetary Institution, Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Pogodinskaya Str., 10, Building 1, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Vladimir S. Yudin
- Federal State Budgetary Institution, Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Pogodinskaya Str., 10, Building 1, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Anton A. Keskinov
- Federal State Budgetary Institution, Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Pogodinskaya Str., 10, Building 1, Moscow 119121, Russia
| | - Sergey A. Kraevoy
- Federal State Budgetary Institution, Centre for Strategic Planning and Management of Biomedical Health Risks of the Federal Medical Biological Agency, Pogodinskaya Str., 10, Building 1, Moscow 119121, Russia
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Brentari I, Zadorozhna M, Denti MA, Giorgio E. RNA therapeutics for neurological diseases. Br Med Bull 2023; 147:50-61. [PMID: 37210633 DOI: 10.1093/bmb/ldad010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapeutics are a new class of drugs whose importance is highlighted by the growing number of molecules in the clinic. SOURCES OF DATA We focus on RNA therapeutics for neurogenetic disorders, which are broadly defined as diseases with a genetic background and with at least one clinical sign affecting the nervous system. A systematic search identified 14 RNA drugs approved by FDA and many others in development. AREAS OF AGREEMENT The field of RNA therapeutics is changing the therapeutic scenario across many disorders. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY Despite its recent successes, RNA therapeutics encountered several hurdles and some clinical failures. Delivery to the brain represents the biggest challenge. GROWING POINTS The many advantages of RNA drugs make the development of these technologies a worthwhile investment. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH Clinical failures stress the importance of implementing clinical trial design and optimizing RNA molecules to hold the promise of revolutionizing the treatment of human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Brentari
- Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare, Computazionale e Integrata (CIBIO), Università degli Studi di Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Mariia Zadorozhna
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Michela Alessandra Denti
- Dipartimento di Biologia Cellulare, Computazionale e Integrata (CIBIO), Università degli Studi di Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Elisa Giorgio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Medical Genetics Unit, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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40
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Tanaka M, Nakamura T. Targeting epigenetic aberrations of sarcoma in CRISPR era. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2023; 62:510-525. [PMID: 36967299 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23142] [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: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are rare malignancies that exhibit diverse biological, genetic, morphological, and clinical characteristics. Genetic alterations, such as gene fusions, mutations in transcriptional machinery components, histones, and DNA methylation regulatory molecules, play an essential role in sarcomagenesis. These mutations induce and/or cooperate with specific epigenetic aberrations required for the growth and maintenance of sarcomas. Appropriate mouse models have been developed to clarify the significance of genetic and epigenetic interactions in sarcomas. Studies using the mouse models for human sarcomas have demonstrated major advances in our understanding the developmental processes as well as tumor microenvironment of sarcomas. Recent technological progresses in epigenome editing will not only improve the studies using animal models but also provide a direct clue for epigenetic therapies. In this manuscript, we review important epigenetic aberrations in sarcomas and their representative mouse models, current methods of epigenetic editing using CRISPR/dCas9 systems, and potential applications in sarcoma studies and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miwa Tanaka
- Project for Cancer Epigenomics, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuro Nakamura
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
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Cunningham SC, van Dijk EB, Zhu E, Sugden M, Mandwie M, Siew S, Devanapalli B, Tolun AA, Klein A, Wilson L, Aryamanesh N, Gissen P, Baruteau J, Bhattacharya K, Alexander IE. Recapitulation of Skewed X-Inactivation in Female Ornithine Transcarbamylase-Deficient Primary Human Hepatocytes in the FRG Mouse: A Novel System for Developing Epigenetic Therapies. Hum Gene Ther 2023; 34:917-926. [PMID: 37350098 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2023.011] [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] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Realization of the immense therapeutic potential of epigenetic editing requires development of clinically predictive model systems that faithfully recapitulate relevant aspects of the target disease pathophysiology. In female patients with ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, an X-linked condition, skewed inactivation of the X chromosome carrying the wild-type OTC allele is associated with increased disease severity. The majority of affected female patients can be managed medically, but a proportion require liver transplantation. With rapid development of epigenetic editing technology, reactivation of silenced wild-type OTC alleles is becoming an increasingly plausible therapeutic approach. Toward this end, privileged access to explanted diseased livers from two affected female infants provided the opportunity to explore whether engraftment and expansion of dissociated patient-derived hepatocytes in the FRG mouse might produce a relevant model for evaluation of epigenetic interventions. Hepatocytes from both infants were successfully used to generate chimeric mouse-human livers, in which clusters of primary human hepatocytes were either OTC positive or negative by immunohistochemistry (IHC), consistent with clonal expansion from individual hepatocytes in which the mutant or wild-type OTC allele was inactivated, respectively. Enumeration of the proportion of OTC-positive or -negative human hepatocyte clusters was consistent with dramatic skewing in one infant and minimal to modest skewing in the other. Importantly, IHC and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of intact and dissociated liver samples from both infants showed qualitatively similar patterns, confirming that the chimeric mouse-human liver model recapitulated the native state in each infant. Also of importance was the induction of a treatable metabolic phenotype, orotic aciduria, in mice, which correlated with the presence of clonally expanded OTC-negative primary human hepatocytes. We are currently using this unique model to explore CRISPR-dCas9-based epigenetic targeting strategies in combination with efficient adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene delivery to reactivate the silenced functional OTC gene on the inactive X chromosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon C Cunningham
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
| | - Eva B van Dijk
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
| | - Erhua Zhu
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
| | - Maya Sugden
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
| | - Mawj Mandwie
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
| | - Susan Siew
- Department of Gastroenterology, James Fairfax Institute of Paediatric Nutrition, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Beena Devanapalli
- NSW Biochemical Genetics Service, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia
| | - Adviye Ayper Tolun
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
- NSW Biochemical Genetics Service, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, Australia
| | - Anne Klein
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Sydney, Australia
| | - Laurence Wilson
- Australian e-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Sydney, Australia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, Australia
| | - Nader Aryamanesh
- Embryology Research Unit, Bioinformatics Group, Children's Medical Research Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | - Paul Gissen
- National Institute for Health Research Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Julien Baruteau
- National Institute for Health Research Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kaustuv Bhattacharya
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
- Genetic Metabolic Disorders Service, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ian E Alexander
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Children's Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney and Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
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Liu R, Zhao E, Yu H, Yuan C, Abbas MN, Cui H. Methylation across the central dogma in health and diseases: new therapeutic strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:310. [PMID: 37620312 PMCID: PMC10449936 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01528-y] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The proper transfer of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein is essential for cell-fate control, development, and health. Methylation of DNA, RNAs, histones, and non-histone proteins is a reversible post-synthesis modification that finetunes gene expression and function in diverse physiological processes. Aberrant methylation caused by genetic mutations or environmental stimuli promotes various diseases and accelerates aging, necessitating the development of therapies to correct the disease-driver methylation imbalance. In this Review, we summarize the operating system of methylation across the central dogma, which includes writers, erasers, readers, and reader-independent outputs. We then discuss how dysregulation of the system contributes to neurological disorders, cancer, and aging. Current small-molecule compounds that target the modifiers show modest success in certain cancers. The methylome-wide action and lack of specificity lead to undesirable biological effects and cytotoxicity, limiting their therapeutic application, especially for diseases with a monogenic cause or different directions of methylation changes. Emerging tools capable of site-specific methylation manipulation hold great promise to solve this dilemma. With the refinement of delivery vehicles, these new tools are well positioned to advance the basic research and clinical translation of the methylation field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruochen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Erhu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Huijuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Chaoyu Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
- Jinfeng Laboratory, Chongqing, 401329, China.
- Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Center for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing, 400716, China.
- Engineering Research Center for Cancer Biomedical and Translational Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Chen YS, Dong J, Tan W, Liu H, Zhang SM, Zou J, Chen YQ, Bai SY, Zeng Y. The potential role of ribonucleic acid methylation in the pathological mechanisms of fragile X syndrome. Behav Brain Res 2023; 452:114586. [PMID: 37467965 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114586] [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: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a common inherited cause of intellectual disabilities and single-gene cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), resulting from the loss of functional fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein (FMRP), an RNA-binding protein (RBP) encoded by the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) methylation can lead to developmental diseases, including FXS, through various mechanisms mediated by 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, N6-methyladenosine, etc. Emerging evidence suggests that modifications of some RNA species have been linked to FXS. However, the underlying pathological mechanism has yet to be elucidated. In this review, we reviewed the implication of RNA modification in FXS and summarized its specific characteristics for facilitating the identification of new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Shan Chen
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Dong
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Tan
- Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Si-Ming Zhang
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jia Zou
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-Qi Chen
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shu-Yuan Bai
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Zeng
- Brain Science and Advanced Technology Institute, Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Occupational Hazard Identification and Control, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China; Geriatric Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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Tejedor JR, Peñarroya A, Gancedo-Verdejo J, Santamarina-Ojeda P, Pérez RF, López-Tamargo S, Díez-Borge A, Alba-Linares JJ, González-Del-Rey N, Urdinguio RG, Mangas C, Roberti A, López V, Morales-Ruiz T, Ariza RR, Roldán-Arjona T, Meijón M, Valledor L, Cañal MJ, Fernández-Martínez D, Fernández-Hevia M, Jiménez-Fonseca P, García-Flórez LJ, Fernández AF, Fraga MF. CRISPR/dCAS9-mediated DNA demethylation screen identifies functional epigenetic determinants of colorectal cancer. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:133. [PMID: 37612734 PMCID: PMC10464368 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01546-1] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Promoter hypermethylation of tumour suppressor genes is frequently observed during the malignant transformation of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, whether this epigenetic mechanism is functional in cancer or is a mere consequence of the carcinogenic process remains to be elucidated. RESULTS In this work, we performed an integrative multi-omic approach to identify gene candidates with strong correlations between DNA methylation and gene expression in human CRC samples and a set of 8 colon cancer cell lines. As a proof of concept, we combined recent CRISPR-Cas9 epigenome editing tools (dCas9-TET1, dCas9-TET-IM) with a customized arrayed gRNA library to modulate the DNA methylation status of 56 promoters previously linked with strong epigenetic repression in CRC, and we monitored the potential functional consequences of this DNA methylation loss by means of a high-content cell proliferation screen. Overall, the epigenetic modulation of most of these DNA methylated regions had a mild impact on the reactivation of gene expression and on the viability of cancer cells. Interestingly, we found that epigenetic reactivation of RSPO2 in the tumour context was associated with a significant impairment in cell proliferation in p53-/- cancer cell lines, and further validation with human samples demonstrated that the epigenetic silencing of RSPO2 is a mid-late event in the adenoma to carcinoma sequence. CONCLUSIONS These results highlight the potential role of DNA methylation as a driver mechanism of CRC and paves the way for the identification of novel therapeutic windows based on the epigenetic reactivation of certain tumour suppressor genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ramón Tejedor
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 33940, El Entrego, Asturias, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Network in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Alfonso Peñarroya
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 33940, El Entrego, Asturias, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Javier Gancedo-Verdejo
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 33940, El Entrego, Asturias, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Network in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Pablo Santamarina-Ojeda
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Network in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Raúl F Pérez
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 33940, El Entrego, Asturias, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Network in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Sara López-Tamargo
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Ana Díez-Borge
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Viralgen Vector Core, 20009, San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain
| | - Juan J Alba-Linares
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 33940, El Entrego, Asturias, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Nerea González-Del-Rey
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias, University of Oviedo, 33071, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rocío G Urdinguio
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Spanish Biomedical Research Network in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Cristina Mangas
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Annalisa Roberti
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 33940, El Entrego, Asturias, Spain
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Virginia López
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Teresa Morales-Ruiz
- Maimónides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), 14071, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Genetics, University of Córdoba, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Rafael R Ariza
- Maimónides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), 14071, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Genetics, University of Córdoba, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Teresa Roldán-Arjona
- Maimónides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), 14071, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Genetics, University of Córdoba, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Mónica Meijón
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias, University of Oviedo, 33071, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Luis Valledor
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias, University of Oviedo, 33071, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - María Jesús Cañal
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology, Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias, University of Oviedo, 33071, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Daniel Fernández-Martínez
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Central University Hospital of Asturias (HUCA), 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - María Fernández-Hevia
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Central University Hospital of Asturias (HUCA), 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Paula Jiménez-Fonseca
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medical Oncology, Central University Hospital of Asturias (HUCA), 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Luis J García-Flórez
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Colorectal Surgery, Central University Hospital of Asturias (HUCA), 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Department of Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Agustín F Fernández
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 33940, El Entrego, Asturias, Spain.
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
- Spanish Biomedical Research Network in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 28029, Madrid, Spain.
- Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
| | - Mario F Fraga
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 33940, El Entrego, Asturias, Spain.
- Health Research Institute of the Principality of Asturias (ISPA), Avenida de Roma S/N, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
- Spanish Biomedical Research Network in Rare Diseases (CIBERER), 28029, Madrid, Spain.
- Institute of Oncology of Asturias (IUOPA), University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
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Zhang X, Zhang Y, Wang C, Wang X. TET (Ten-eleven translocation) family proteins: structure, biological functions and applications. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:297. [PMID: 37563110 PMCID: PMC10415333 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01537-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Ten-eleven translocation (TET) family proteins (TETs), specifically, TET1, TET2 and TET3, can modify DNA by oxidizing 5-methylcytosine (5mC) iteratively to yield 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC), and 5-carboxycytosine (5caC), and then two of these intermediates (5fC and 5caC) can be excised and return to unmethylated cytosines by thymine-DNA glycosylase (TDG)-mediated base excision repair. Because DNA methylation and demethylation play an important role in numerous biological processes, including zygote formation, embryogenesis, spatial learning and immune homeostasis, the regulation of TETs functions is complicated, and dysregulation of their functions is implicated in many diseases such as myeloid malignancies. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that TET2 is able to catalyze the hydroxymethylation of RNA to perform post-transcriptional regulation. Notably, catalytic-independent functions of TETs in certain biological contexts have been identified, further highlighting their multifunctional roles. Interestingly, by reactivating the expression of selected target genes, accumulated evidences support the potential therapeutic use of TETs-based DNA methylation editing tools in disorders associated with epigenetic silencing. In this review, we summarize recent key findings in TETs functions, activity regulators at various levels, technological advances in the detection of 5hmC, the main TETs oxidative product, and TETs emerging applications in epigenetic editing. Furthermore, we discuss existing challenges and future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinchao Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Chaofu Wang
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Pathology, Ruijin Hospital and College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of Chinese Ministry of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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46
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Wang SE, Jiang YH. Novel epigenetic molecular therapies for imprinting disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3182-3193. [PMID: 37626134 PMCID: PMC10618104 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02208-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Genomic imprinting disorders are caused by the disruption of genomic imprinting processes leading to a deficit or increase of an active allele. Their unique molecular mechanisms underlying imprinted genes offer an opportunity to investigate epigenetic-based therapy for reactivation of an inactive allele or reduction of an active allele. Current treatments are based on managing symptoms, not targeting the molecular mechanisms underlying imprinting disorders. Here, we highlight molecular approaches of therapeutic candidates in preclinical and clinical studies for individual imprinting disorders. These include the significant progress of discovery and testing of small molecules, antisense oligonucleotides, and CRISPR mediated genome editing approaches as new therapeutic strategies. We discuss the significant challenges of translating these promising therapies from the preclinical stage to the clinic, especially for genome editing based approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Eun Wang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Yong-Hui Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
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47
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Liu H, Tsai H, Yang M, Li G, Bian Q, Ding G, Wu D, Dai J. Three-dimensional genome structure and function. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e326. [PMID: 37426677 PMCID: PMC10329473 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Linear DNA undergoes a series of compression and folding events, forming various three-dimensional (3D) structural units in mammalian cells, including chromosomal territory, compartment, topologically associating domain, and chromatin loop. These structures play crucial roles in regulating gene expression, cell differentiation, and disease progression. Deciphering the principles underlying 3D genome folding and the molecular mechanisms governing cell fate determination remains a challenge. With advancements in high-throughput sequencing and imaging techniques, the hierarchical organization and functional roles of higher-order chromatin structures have been gradually illuminated. This review systematically discussed the structural hierarchy of the 3D genome, the effects and mechanisms of cis-regulatory elements interaction in the 3D genome for regulating spatiotemporally specific gene expression, the roles and mechanisms of dynamic changes in 3D chromatin conformation during embryonic development, and the pathological mechanisms of diseases such as congenital developmental abnormalities and cancer, which are attributed to alterations in 3D genome organization and aberrations in key structural proteins. Finally, prospects were made for the research about 3D genome structure, function, and genetic intervention, and the roles in disease development, prevention, and treatment, which may offer some clues for precise diagnosis and treatment of related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Liu
- Department of Oral and Cranio‐Maxillofacial SurgeryShanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineCollege of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityNational Center for StomatologyNational Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesShanghai Key Laboratory of StomatologyShanghaiChina
- School of StomatologyWeifang Medical UniversityWeifangChina
| | - Hsiangyu Tsai
- Department of Oral and Cranio‐Maxillofacial SurgeryShanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineCollege of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityNational Center for StomatologyNational Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesShanghai Key Laboratory of StomatologyShanghaiChina
| | - Maoquan Yang
- School of Clinical MedicineWeifang Medical UniversityWeifangChina
| | - Guozhi Li
- Department of Oral and Cranio‐Maxillofacial SurgeryShanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineCollege of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityNational Center for StomatologyNational Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesShanghai Key Laboratory of StomatologyShanghaiChina
| | - Qian Bian
- Shanghai Institute of Precision MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Gang Ding
- School of StomatologyWeifang Medical UniversityWeifangChina
| | - Dandan Wu
- Department of Oral and Cranio‐Maxillofacial SurgeryShanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineCollege of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityNational Center for StomatologyNational Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesShanghai Key Laboratory of StomatologyShanghaiChina
| | - Jiewen Dai
- Department of Oral and Cranio‐Maxillofacial SurgeryShanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineCollege of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong UniversityNational Center for StomatologyNational Clinical Research Center for Oral DiseasesShanghai Key Laboratory of StomatologyShanghaiChina
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48
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Elhawary NA, AlJahdali IA, Abumansour IS, Azher ZA, Falemban AH, Madani WM, Alosaimi W, Alghamdi G, Sindi IA. Phenotypic variability to medication management: an update on fragile X syndrome. Hum Genomics 2023; 17:60. [PMID: 37420260 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-023-00507-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
This review discusses the discovery, epidemiology, pathophysiology, genetic etiology, molecular diagnosis, and medication-based management of fragile X syndrome (FXS). It also highlights the syndrome's variable expressivity and common comorbid and overlapping conditions. FXS is an X-linked dominant disorder associated with a wide spectrum of clinical features, including but not limited to intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, language deficits, macroorchidism, seizures, and anxiety. Its prevalence in the general population is approximately 1 in 5000-7000 men and 1 in 4000-6000 women worldwide. FXS is associated with the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene located at locus Xq27.3 and encodes the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein (FMRP). Most individuals with FXS have an FMR1 allele with > 200 CGG repeats (full mutation) and hypermethylation of the CpG island proximal to the repeats, which silences the gene's promoter. Some individuals have mosaicism in the size of the CGG repeats or in hypermethylation of the CpG island, both produce some FMRP and give rise to milder cognitive and behavioral deficits than in non-mosaic individuals with FXS. As in several monogenic disorders, modifier genes influence the penetrance of FMR1 mutations and FXS's variable expressivity by regulating the pathophysiological mechanisms related to the syndrome's behavioral features. Although there is no cure for FXS, prenatal molecular diagnostic testing is recommended to facilitate early diagnosis. Pharmacologic agents can reduce some behavioral features of FXS, and researchers are investigating whether gene editing can be used to demethylate the FMR1 promoter region to improve patient outcomes. Moreover, clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 and developed nuclease defective Cas9 (dCas9) strategies have promised options of genome editing in gain-of-function mutations to rewrite new genetic information into a specified DNA site, are also being studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasser A Elhawary
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, 21955, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Imad A AlJahdali
- Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Iman S Abumansour
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zohor A Azher
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Alaa H Falemban
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, 24382, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wefaq M Madani
- Department of Hematology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wafaa Alosaimi
- Department of Hematology, Maternity and Children Hospital, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ghydda Alghamdi
- Department of Medical Genetics, College of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ikhlas A Sindi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Preparatory Year Program, Batterjee Medical College, Jeddah, 21442, Saudi Arabia
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Shah S, Sharp KJ, Raju Ponny S, Lee J, Watts JK, Berry-Kravis E, Richter JD. Antisense oligonucleotide rescue of CGG expansion-dependent FMR1 mis-splicing in fragile X syndrome restores FMRP. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2302534120. [PMID: 37364131 PMCID: PMC10319035 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302534120] [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: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant alternative splicing of mRNAs results in dysregulated gene expression in multiple neurological disorders. Here, we show that hundreds of mRNAs are incorrectly expressed and spliced in white blood cells and brain tissues of individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS). Surprisingly, the FMR1 (Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1) gene is transcribed in >70% of the FXS tissues. In all FMR1-expressing FXS tissues, FMR1 RNA itself is mis-spliced in a CGG expansion-dependent manner to generate the little-known FMR1-217 RNA isoform, which is comprised of FMR1 exon 1 and a pseudo-exon in intron 1. FMR1-217 is also expressed in FXS premutation carrier-derived skin fibroblasts and brain tissues. We show that in cells aberrantly expressing mis-spliced FMR1, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) treatment reduces FMR1-217, rescues full-length FMR1 RNA, and restores FMRP (Fragile X Messenger RibonucleoProtein) to normal levels. Notably, FMR1 gene reactivation in transcriptionally silent FXS cells using 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-AzadC), which prevents DNA methylation, increases FMR1-217 RNA levels but not FMRP. ASO treatment of cells prior to 5-AzadC application rescues full-length FMR1 expression and restores FMRP. These findings indicate that misregulated RNA-processing events in blood could serve as potent biomarkers for FXS and that in those individuals expressing FMR1-217, ASO treatment may offer a therapeutic approach to mitigate the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sneha Shah
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Kevin J. Sharp
- Department of Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL60612
| | - Sithara Raju Ponny
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Jonathan Lee
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Jonathan K. Watts
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
- Li Weibo Rare Disease Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
| | - Elizabeth Berry-Kravis
- Department of Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL60612
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL60612
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL60612
| | - Joel D. Richter
- Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
- Li Weibo Rare Disease Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA01605
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Nain N, Singh A, Khan S, Kukreti S. G-quadruplex formation at human DAT1 gene promoter: Effect of cytosine methylation. Biochem Biophys Rep 2023; 34:101464. [PMID: 37096205 PMCID: PMC10121379 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2023.101464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The dopamine transporter gene (DAT1), a recognized genetic risk factor for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is principally responsible for the regulation of dopamine synaptic levels and serves as a key target in many psychostimulants drugs. DAT1 gene methylation has been considered an epigenetic marker in ADHD. The identification of G-rich sequence motifs potential to form G-quadruplexes is correlated with functionally important genomic regions. Herein, biophysical and biochemical techniques are employed to investigate the structural polymorphism along with the effect of cytosine methylation on a 26-nt G-rich sequence present in the promoter region of the DAT1 gene. The gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and UV-thermal melting data are well correlated and conclude the formation of a parallel (bimolecular), as well as antiparallel (tetramolecular) G-quadruplex in Na+ solution. Interestingly, the existence of uni-, bi-, tri-, and tetramolecular quadruplex structures in K+ solution exhibited only the parallel type G-quadruplex. The results demonstrate that in presence of either cation (Na+ or K+) the cytosine methylation reserved the structural topologies unaltered. However, methylation lowers the thermal stability of G-quadruplexes and the duplex structures, as well. These findings provide insights to understand the regulatory mechanisms underlying the formation of the G-quadruplex structure induced by DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishu Nain
- Nucleic Acids Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Anju Singh
- Nucleic Acids Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
- Department of Chemistry, Ramjas College, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Shoaib Khan
- Nucleic Acids Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Shrikant Kukreti
- Nucleic Acids Research Lab, Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
- Corresponding author.
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