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Deng J, Li X, Yu H, Yang L, Wang Z, Yi W, Liu Y, Xiao W, Xiang H, Xie Z, Lv D, Ouyang H, Pang D, Yuan H. Accelerated discovery and miniaturization of novel single-stranded cytidine deaminases. Nucleic Acids Res 2024:gkae800. [PMID: 39271120 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 08/27/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytidine base editors (CBEs) hold significant potential in genetic disease treatment and in breeding superior traits into animals. However, their large protein sizes limit their delivery by adeno-associated virus (AAV), given its packing capacity of <4.7 kb. To overcome this, we employed a web-based fast generic discovery (WFG) strategy, identifying several small ssDNA deaminases (Sdds) and constructing multiple Sdd-CBE 1.0 versions. SflSdd-CBE 1.0 demonstrated high C-to-T editing efficiency, comparable to AncBE4max, while SviSdd-CBE 1.0 exhibited moderate C-to-T editing efficiency with a narrow editing window (C3 to C5). Utilizing AlphaFold2, we devised a one-step miniaturization strategy, reducing the size of Sdds while preserving their efficiency. Notably, we administered AAV8 expressing PCSK9 targeted sgRNA and SflSdd-CBEs (nSaCas9) 2.0 into mice, leading to gene-editing events (with editing efficiency up to 15%) and reduced serum cholesterol levels, underscoring the potential of Sdds in gene therapy. These findings offer new single-stranded editing tools for the treatment of rare genetic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiacheng Deng
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Xueyuan Li
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Hao Yu
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Lin Yang
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Ziru Wang
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Wenfeng Yi
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Ying Liu
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Wenyu Xiao
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Hongyong Xiang
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Zicong Xie
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Dongmei Lv
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
| | - Hongsheng Ouyang
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
- Chongqing Research Institute, Jilin University, Chongqing 401123, China
- Chongqing Jitang Biotechnology Research Institute, Chongqing 401123, China
| | - Daxin Pang
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
- Chongqing Research Institute, Jilin University, Chongqing 401123, China
- Chongqing Jitang Biotechnology Research Institute, Chongqing 401123, China
| | - Hongming Yuan
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130062, China
- Chongqing Research Institute, Jilin University, Chongqing 401123, China
- Chongqing Jitang Biotechnology Research Institute, Chongqing 401123, China
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Lin J, Jin M, Yang D, Li Z, Zhang Y, Xiao Q, Wang Y, Yu Y, Zhang X, Shao Z, Shi L, Zhang S, Chen WJ, Wang N, Wu S, Yang H, Xu C, Li G. Adenine base editing-mediated exon skipping restores dystrophin in humanized Duchenne mouse model. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5927. [PMID: 39009678 PMCID: PMC11251194 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50340-x] [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: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) affecting 1 in 3500-5000 live male newborns is the frequently fatal genetic disease resulted from various mutations in DMD gene encoding dystrophin protein. About 70% of DMD-causing mutations are exon deletion leading to frameshift of open reading frame and dystrophin deficiency. To facilitate translating human DMD-targeting CRISPR therapeutics into patients, we herein establish a genetically humanized mouse model of DMD by replacing exon 50 and 51 of mouse Dmd gene with human exon 50 sequence. This humanized mouse model recapitulats patient's DMD phenotypes of dystrophin deficiency and muscle dysfunction. Furthermore, we target splicing sites in human exon 50 with adenine base editor to induce exon skipping and robustly restored dystrophin expression in heart, tibialis anterior and diaphragm muscles. Importantly, systemic delivery of base editor via adeno-associated virus in the humanized male mouse model improves the muscle function of DMD mice to the similar level of wildtype ones, indicating the therapeutic efficacy of base editing strategy in treating most of DMD types with exon deletion or point mutations via exon-skipping induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Lin
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ming Jin
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Dong Yang
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Inc., Shanghai, China
| | | | - Yu Zhang
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Inc., Shanghai, China
| | | | - Yin Wang
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Yuyang Yu
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Inc., Shanghai, China
| | | | - Zhurui Shao
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Linyu Shi
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Inc., Shanghai, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wan-Jin Chen
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Shiwen Wu
- Department of Neurology, First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Hui Yang
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Inc., Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, Shanghai, China.
| | - Chunlong Xu
- Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Technology, Shanghai, China.
| | - Guoling Li
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
- HuidaGene Therapeutics Inc., Shanghai, China.
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Zhang C, Zhou Y, Han R. Base editing in humanized dystrophic mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102185. [PMID: 38638582 PMCID: PMC11024994 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Chen Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Renzhi Han
- Department of Pediatrics, Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Miskalis A, Shirguppe S, Winter J, Elias G, Swami D, Nambiar A, Stilger M, Woods WS, Gosstola N, Gapinske M, Zeballos A, Moore H, Maslov S, Gaj T, Perez-Pinera P. SPLICER: A Highly Efficient Base Editing Toolbox That Enables In Vivo Therapeutic Exon Skipping. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.01.587650. [PMID: 38883727 PMCID: PMC11178003 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.01.587650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Exon skipping technologies enable exclusion of targeted exons from mature mRNA transcripts, which has broad applications in molecular biology, medicine, and biotechnology. Existing exon skipping techniques include antisense oligonucleotides, targetable nucleases, and base editors, which, while effective for specific applications at some target exons, remain hindered by shortcomings, including transient effects for oligonucleotides, genotoxicity for nucleases and inconsistent exon skipping for base editors. To overcome these limitations, we created SPLICER, a toolbox of next-generation base editors consisting of near-PAMless Cas9 nickase variants fused to adenosine or cytosine deaminases for the simultaneous editing of splice acceptor (SA) and splice donor (SD) sequences. Synchronized SA and SD editing with SPLICER improves exon skipping, reduces aberrant outcomes, including cryptic splicing and intron retention, and enables skipping of exons refractory to single splice-site editing. To demonstrate the therapeutic potential of SPLICER, we targeted APP exon 17, which encodes the amino acid residues that are cleaved to form the Aβ plaques in Alzheimer's disease. SPLICER reduced the formation of Aβ42 peptides in vitro and enabled efficient exon skipping in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Overall, SPLICER is a widely applicable and efficient toolbox for exon skipping with broad therapeutic applications.
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Shi W, Tang J, Xiang J. Therapeutic strategies for aberrant splicing in cancer and genetic disorders. Clin Genet 2024; 105:345-354. [PMID: 38165092 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Accurate pre-mRNA splicing is essential for proper protein translation; however, aberrant splicing is commonly observed in the context of cancer and genetic disorders. Notably, in genetic diseases, these splicing abnormalities often play a pivotal role. Substantial challenges persist in accurately identifying and classifying disease-induced aberrant splicing, as well as in development of targeted therapeutic strategies. In this review, we examine prevalent forms of aberrant splicing and explore potential therapeutic approaches aimed at addressing these splicing-related diseases. This summary contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities about aberrant splicing and provide a foundation for the development of effective therapeutic interventions in the field of genetic disorders and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Shi
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precise Treatment of Lung Cancer, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jingqun Tang
- Hunan Key laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precise Treatment of Lung Cancer, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Juanjuan Xiang
- Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Key laboratory of Early Diagnosis and Precise Treatment of Lung Cancer, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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