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Nomura Y, Kim N, Zhu B, Hamzah M, Zhang H, Yokobayashi Y. Optimization of Exon-Skipping Riboswitches and Their Applications to Control Mammalian Cell Fate. ACS Synth Biol 2024. [PMID: 39318128 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.4c00295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2024]
Abstract
Mammalian riboswitches that can regulate transgene expression via RNA-small molecule interaction have promising applications in medicine and biotechnology, as they involve no protein factors that can induce immunogenic reactions and are not dependent on specially engineered promoters. However, the lack of cell-permeable and low-toxicity small molecules and cognate aptamers that can be exploited as riboswitches and the modest switching performance of mammalian riboswitches have limited their applications. In this study, we systematically optimized the design of a riboswitch that regulates exon skipping via an RNA aptamer that binds ASP2905. We examined two design strategies to modulate the stability of the aptamer base stem that blocks the 5' splice site to fine-tune the riboswitch characteristics. Furthermore, an optimized riboswitch was used to generate a mouse embryonic stem cell line that can be chemically induced to differentiate into myogenic cells by activating Myod1 expression and a human embryonic kidney cell line that can be induced to trigger apoptosis by activating BAX expression. The results demonstrate the tight chemical regulation of transgenes in mammalian cells to control their phenotype without exogenous protein factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Nomura
- Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University Onna, Okinawa 9040495, Japan
| | - Narae Kim
- Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University Onna, Okinawa 9040495, Japan
| | - Bochen Zhu
- Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University Onna, Okinawa 9040495, Japan
| | - Muhammad Hamzah
- Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University Onna, Okinawa 9040495, Japan
| | - Haifeng Zhang
- Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University Onna, Okinawa 9040495, Japan
| | - Yohei Yokobayashi
- Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University Onna, Okinawa 9040495, Japan
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Ishii Y, Fukunaga K, Cooney A, Yokobayashi Y, Matsuura T. Switchable and orthogonal gene expression control inside artificial cells by synthetic riboswitches. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024; 60:5972-5975. [PMID: 38767578 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc00965g] [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: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Here we report two novel synthetic riboswitches that respond to ASP2905 and theophylline and function in reconstituted cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) system. We encapsulated the CFPS system as well as DNA-templated encoding reporter genes regulated by these orthogonal riboswitches inside liposomes, and achieved switchable and orthogonal control over gene expression by external stimulation with the cognate ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Ishii
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Keisuke Fukunaga
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
| | - Aileen Cooney
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - Yohei Yokobayashi
- Nucleic Acid Chemistry and Engineering Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Matsuura
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Ookayama 2-12-1, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
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Hegvik TA, Waløen K, Pandey SK, Faraone SV, Haavik J, Zayats T. Druggable genome in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and its co-morbid conditions. New avenues for treatment. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:4004-4015. [PMID: 31628418 PMCID: PMC7165040 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0540-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 05/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder with only symptomatic care available. Genome-wide association (GWA) studies can provide a starting point in the search for novel drug targets and possibilities of drug repurposing. Here, we explored the druggable genome in ADHD by utilising GWA studies on ADHD and its co-morbid conditions. First, we explored whether the genes targeted by current ADHD drugs show association with the disorder and/or its co-morbidities. Second, we aimed to identify genes and pathways involved in the biological processes underlying ADHD that can be targeted by pharmacological agents. These ADHD-associated druggable genes and pathways were also examined in co-morbidities of ADHD, as commonalities in their aetiology and management may lead to novel pharmacological insights. Strikingly, none of the genes encoding targets of first-line pharmacotherapeutics for ADHD were significantly associated with the disorder, suggesting that FDA-approved ADHD drugs may act through different mechanisms than those underlying ADHD. In the examined druggable genome, three loci on chromosomes 1, 4 and 12 revealed significant association with ADHD and contained nine druggable genes, five of which encode established drug targets for malignancies, autoimmune and neurodevelopmental disorders. To conclude, we present a framework to assess the druggable genome in a disorder, exemplified by ADHD. We highlight signal transduction and cell adhesion as potential novel avenues for ADHD treatment. Our findings add to knowledge on known ADHD drugs and present the exploration of druggable genome associated with ADHD, which may offer interventions at the aetiological level of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tor-Arne Hegvik
- K.G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kai Waløen
- K.G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sunil K Pandey
- K.G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Stephen V Faraone
- K.G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Departments of Psychiatry and of Neuroscience and Physiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Jan Haavik
- K.G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Tetyana Zayats
- K.G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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Li Z, Huang L, Wei L, Zhang B, Zhong S, Ou Y, Wen C, Huang S. KCNH3 Predicts Poor Prognosis and Promotes Progression in Ovarian Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:10323-10333. [PMID: 33116612 PMCID: PMC7568620 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s268055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related death among women; accordingly, new biomarkers of OC are urgently needed. Potassium voltage-gated channel sub-family H member 3 (KCNH3) is a voltage-gated potassium channel member involved in cognitive function and diabetes. Here, we aimed to elucidate the role and potential molecular mechanisms of KCNH3 in OC. Materials and Methods KCNH3 expression levels in OC tissues were analyzed using TCGA data and confirmed by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry in OC tissues. The cell counting kit-8 was used to assess cell proliferation in OC cells in which KCNH3 was knocked-down with small interference RNA (siRNA). Wound-healing and transwell invasion assays were used to assess migratory and invasive abilities, respectively. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were determined using a flow cytometer. Gene set enrichment analysis and Western blot were used to investigate the potential pathways of KCNH3 in OC development. Results TCGA data and RT-qPCR results from patients with OC revealed high KCNH3 expression in OC tissues compared to normal ovarian tissues. Survival analysis in patients with OC suggested that high KCNH3 expression might be an independent predictor for poor overall survival and disease-free survival. In vitro studies showed that KCNH3 silencing in OC cells could inhibit cell proliferation and migration ability, and induce apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest. Furthermore, Western blot results showed that KCNH3 silencing might induce downregulation of RPA1 and RPA2 expression level in both SKOV3 and COC1 cells. Conclusion KCNH3 plays an important role in cancer progression in patients with OC. Further investigation might reveal KCNH3 as a potential biomarker for prognosis or diagnosis in OC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongjun Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Dongguan People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523059, People's Republic of China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, People's Republic of China
| | - Lishan Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Dongguan People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523059, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Dongguan People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523059, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Dongguan People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523059, People's Republic of China
| | - Shulin Zhong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Dongguan People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523059, People's Republic of China
| | - Yijing Ou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Dongguan People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523059, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuangyu Wen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Dongguan People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523059, People's Republic of China
| | - Suran Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Dongguan People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan, Guangdong, 523059, People's Republic of China
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Takahashi S, Okamura A, Yamazaki M, Ni K. ASP2905, a specific inhibitor of the potassium channel Kv12.2 encoded by the Kcnh3 gene, is psychoactive in mice. Behav Brain Res 2020; 378:112315. [PMID: 31654662 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a major psychiatric disorder associated with positive and negative symptoms and cognitive impairments. In this study, we used animal models of behavior to evaluate the antipsychotic activity of ASP2905, a potent and selective inhibitor of the potassium channel Kv12.2 encoded by the Kcnh3/BEC1 gene. ASP2905 inhibited hyperlocomotion induced by methamphetamine and by phencyclidine. In contrast, ASP2905 did not affect spontaneous locomotion, suggesting that ASP2905 selectively inhibits abnormal behaviors induced by stimulants. Chronic infusion of ASP2905 significantly ameliorated phencyclidine-induced prolongation of immobility time in mice subjected to the forced swimming test. These findings suggest that ASP2905 potentially mitigates symptoms of schizophrenia, such as apathy. The antipsychotic clozapine also reversed phencyclidine-induced prolonged immobility, while risperidone and haloperidol had no effect. Assessment of the effects of ASP2905 on latent learning deficits in mice treated with phencyclidine as neonates subjected to the water-finding task showed that ASP2905 significantly ameliorated phencyclidine-induced prolongation of finding latency, which reflects latent learning performance. These findings suggest that ASP2905 potentially mitigates cognitive impairments caused by schizophrenia, such as attention deficits. In contrast, administration of clozapine did not ameliorate phencyclidine-induced prolongation of finding latency. Therefore, ASP2905 may alleviate the broad spectrum of symptoms of schizophrenia, including positive and negative symptoms and cognitive impairments, which is in contrast to currently available antipsychotics, which are generally only partially effective for ameliorating these symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Takahashi
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan.
| | - Ai Okamura
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan.
| | - Mayako Yamazaki
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan.
| | - Keni Ni
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan.
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Takahashi S, Ohmiya M, Honda S, Ni K. The KCNH3 inhibitor ASP2905 shows potential in the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0207750. [PMID: 30462746 PMCID: PMC6248980 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
N-(4-fluorophenyl)-N'-phenyl-N"-(pyrimidin-2-ylmethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine [ASP2905] is a potent and selective inhibitor of the potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily H member 3 (KCNH3) that was originally identified in our laboratory. KCNH3 is concentrated in the forebrain, and its overexpression in mice leads to cognitive deficits. In contrast, Kcnh3 knockout mice exhibit enhanced performance in cognitive tasks such as attention. These data suggest that KCNH3 plays important roles in cognition. Here we investigated the neurochemical and neurophysiological profiles of ASP2905 as well as its effects on cognitive function, focusing on attention. ASP2905 (0.0313 and 0.0625 mg/kg, po) improved the latent learning ability of mice, which reflects attention. Microdialysis assays in rats revealed that ASP2905 increased the efflux of dopamine and acetylcholine in the medial prefrontal cortex (0.03, 0.1 mg/kg, po; 0.1, 1 mg/kg, po, respectively). The activities of these neurotransmitters are closely associated with attention. We used a multiple-trial passive avoidance task to investigate the effects of ASP2905 on inattention and impulsivity in juvenile stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. ASP2905 (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg, po) significantly prolonged cumulative latency as effectively as methylphenidate (0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg, sc), which is the gold standard for treating ADHD. Further, ASP2905, amphetamine, and methylphenidate significantly increased the alpha-band power of rats, suggesting that ASP2905 increases arousal, which is a pharmacologically important activity for treating ADHD. In contrast, atomoxetine and guanfacine did not significantly affect power. Together, these findings suggest that ASP2905, which acts through a novel mechanism, is as effective for treating ADHD as currently available drugs such as methylphenidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Takahashi
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- * E-mail:
| | - Makoto Ohmiya
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Sokichi Honda
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Keni Ni
- Drug Discovery Research, Astellas Pharma Inc., Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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Bauer CK, Schwarz JR. Ether-à-go-go K + channels: effective modulators of neuronal excitability. J Physiol 2018; 596:769-783. [PMID: 29333676 DOI: 10.1113/jp275477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian ether-à-go-go (EAG) channels are voltage-gated K+ channels. They are encoded by the KCNH gene family and divided into three subfamilies, eag (Kv10), erg (eag-related gene; Kv11) and elk (eag-like; Kv12). All EAG channel subtypes are expressed in the brain where they effectively modulate neuronal excitability. This Topical Review describes the biophysical properties of each of the EAG channel subtypes, their function in neurons and the neurological diseases induced by EAG channel mutations. In contrast to the function of erg currents in the heart, where they contribute to repolarization of the cardiac action potential, erg currents in neurons are involved in the maintenance of the resting potential, setting of action potential threshold and frequency accommodation. They can even support high frequency firing by preventing a depolarization-induced Na+ channel block. EAG channels are modulated differentially, e.g. eag channels by intracellular Ca2+ , erg channels by extracellular K+ and GPCRs, and elk channels by changes in pH. So far, only currents mediated by erg channels have been recorded in neurons with the help of selective blockers. Neuronal eag and elk currents have not been isolated due to the lack of suitable channel blockers. However, findings in KO mice indicate a physiological role of eag1 currents in synaptic transmission and an involvement of elk2 currents in cognitive performance. Human eag1 and eag2 gain-of-function mutations underlie syndromes associated with epileptic seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane K Bauer
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jürgen R Schwarz
- Institute of Molecular Neurogenetics, Center of Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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