1
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Almeida CF, Robriquet F, Vetter TA, Huang N, Neinast R, Hernandez-Rosario L, Rajakumar D, Arnold WD, McBride KL, Flanigan KM, Weiss RB, Wein N. Promising AAV.U7snRNAs vectors targeting DMPK improve DM1 hallmarks in patient-derived cell lines. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1181040. [PMID: 37397246 PMCID: PMC10309041 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1181040] [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: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults and affects mainly the skeletal muscle, heart, and brain. DM1 is caused by a CTG repeat expansion in the 3'UTR region of the DMPK gene that sequesters muscleblind-like proteins, blocking their splicing activity and forming nuclear RNA foci. Consequently, many genes have their splicing reversed to a fetal pattern. There is no treatment for DM1, but several approaches have been explored, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) aiming to knock down DMPK expression or bind to the CTGs expansion. ASOs were shown to reduce RNA foci and restore the splicing pattern. However, ASOs have several limitations and although being safe treated DM1 patients did not demonstrate improvement in a human clinical trial. AAV-based gene therapies have the potential to overcome such limitations, providing longer and more stable expression of antisense sequences. In the present study, we designed different antisense sequences targeting exons 5 or 8 of DMPK and the CTG repeat tract aiming to knock down DMPK expression or promote steric hindrance, respectively. The antisense sequences were inserted in U7snRNAs, which were then vectorized in AAV8 particles. Patient-derived myoblasts treated with AAV8. U7snRNAs showed a significant reduction in the number of RNA foci and re-localization of muscle-blind protein. RNA-seq analysis revealed a global splicing correction in different patient-cell lines, without alteration in DMPK expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila F. Almeida
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Florence Robriquet
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Tatyana A. Vetter
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Nianyuan Huang
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Reid Neinast
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | | | - Dhanarajan Rajakumar
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - W. David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Kim L. McBride
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kevin M. Flanigan
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Robert B. Weiss
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Nicolas Wein
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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2
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Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging assessment of muscle composition in myotonic dystrophy mice. Sci Rep 2023; 13:503. [PMID: 36627397 PMCID: PMC9831979 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27661-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a severe autosomal dominant neuromuscular disease in which the musculoskeletal system contributes substantially to overall mortality and morbidity. DM1 stems from a noncoding CTG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the DMPK gene. The human skeletal actin long repeat (HSALR) mouse model reproduces several aspects of the disease, but the muscle-wasting phenotype of this model has never been characterized in vivo. Herein, we used quantitative MRI to measure the fat and muscle volumes in the leg compartment (LC) of mice. These acquired data were processed to extract relevant parameters such as fat fraction and fat infiltration (fat LC/LC) in HSALR and control (FBV) muscles. These results showed increased fat volume (fat LC) and fat infiltration within the muscle tissue of the leg compartment (muscle LC), in agreement with necropsies, in which fatty clumps were observed, and consistent with previous findings in DM1 patients. Model mice did not reproduce the characteristic impaired fat fraction, widespread fat replacement through the muscles, or reduced muscle volume reported in patients. Taken together, the observed abnormal replacement of skeletal muscle by fat in the HSALR mice indicates that these mice partially reproduced the muscle phenotype observed in humans.
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3
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Krueger SB, Zimmerman SC. Dynamic Covalent Template-Guided Screen for Nucleic Acid-Targeting Agents. J Med Chem 2022; 65:12417-12426. [PMID: 36099320 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Trinucleotide repeat diseases such as myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and Huntington's disease (HD) are caused by expanded DNA repeats that can be used as templates to synthesize their own inhibitors. Because it would be particularly advantageous to reversibly assemble multivalent nucleic acid-targeting agents in situ, we sought to develop a target-guided screen that uses dynamic covalent chemistry to identify multitarget inhibitors. We report the synthesis of a library of amine- or aldehyde-containing fragments. The assembly of these fragments led to a diverse set of hit combinations that was confirmed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) in the presence of DM1 and HD repeat sequences. Of interest for both diseases, the resulting hit combinations inhibited transcription selectively and in a cooperative manner in vitro, with inhibitory concentration (IC50) values in the micromolar range. This dynamic covalent library and screening approach could be applied to identify compounds that reversibly assemble on other nucleic acid targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B Krueger
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Steven C Zimmerman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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4
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Krueger SB, Lanzendorf AN, Jeon HH, Zimmerman SC. Selective and Reversible Ligand Assembly on the DNA and RNA Repeat Sequences in Myotonic Dystrophy. Chembiochem 2022; 23:e202200260. [PMID: 35790065 PMCID: PMC9733911 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202200260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Small molecule targeting of DNA and RNA sequences has come into focus as a therapeutic strategy for diseases such as myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), a trinucleotide repeat disease characterized by RNA gain-of-function. Herein, we report a novel template-selected, reversible assembly of therapeutic agents in situ via aldehyde-amine condensation. Rationally designed small molecule targeting agents functionalized with either an aldehyde or an amine were synthesized and screened against the target nucleic acid sequence. The assembly of fragments was confirmed by MALDI-MS in the presence of DM1-relevant nucleic acid sequences. The resulting hit combinations of aldehyde and amine inhibited the formation of r(CUG)exp in vitro in a cooperative manner at low micromolar levels and rescued mis-splicing defects in DM1 model cells. This reversible template-selected assembly is a promising approach to achieve cell permeable and multivalent targeting via in situ synthesis and could be applied to other nucleic acid targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah B Krueger
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Amie N Lanzendorf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Hyoeun Heather Jeon
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Steven C Zimmerman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 600 S Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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5
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Ogbonna EN, Paul A, Ross Terrell J, Fang Z, Chen C, Poon GMK, Boykin DW, Wilson WD. Drug design and DNA structural research inspired by the Neidle laboratory: DNA minor groove binding and transcription factor inhibition by thiophene diamidines. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 68:116861. [PMID: 35661929 PMCID: PMC9707304 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116861] [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: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The understanding of sequence-specific DNA minor groove interactions has recently made major steps forward and as a result, the goal of development of compounds that target the minor groove is an active research area. In an effort to develop biologically active minor groove agents, we are preparing and exploring the DNA interactions of diverse diamidine derivatives with a 5'-GAATTC-3' binding site using a powerful array of methods including, biosensor-SPR methods, and X-ray crystallography. The benzimidazole-thiophene module provides an excellent minor groove recognition component. A central thiophene in a benzimidazole-thiophene-phenyl aromatic system provides essentially optimum curvature for matching the shape of the minor groove. Comparison of that structure to one with the benzimidazole replaced with an indole shows that the two structures are very similar, but have some interesting and important differences in electrostatic potential maps, the DNA minor groove binding structure based on x-ray crystallographic analysis, and inhibition of the major groove binding PU.1 transcription factor complex. The binding KD for both compounds is under 10 nM and both form amidine H-bonds to DNA bases. They both have bifurcated H-bonds from the benzimidazole or indole groups to bases at the center of the -AATT- binding site. Analysis of the comparative results provides an excellent understanding of how thiophene compounds recognize the minor groove and can act as transcription factor inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin N Ogbonna
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303-3083, USA
| | - Ananya Paul
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303-3083, USA
| | - J Ross Terrell
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303-3083, USA
| | - Ziyuan Fang
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303-3083, USA
| | - Cen Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303-3083, USA
| | - Gregory M K Poon
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303-3083, USA
| | - David W Boykin
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303-3083, USA
| | - W David Wilson
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303-3083, USA.
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6
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Jenquin JR, O’Brien AP, Poukalov K, Lu Y, Frias JA, Shorrock HK, Richardson JI, Mazdiyasni H, Yang H, Huigens RW, Boykin D, Ranum LP, Cleary JD, Wang ET, Berglund JA. Molecular characterization of myotonic dystrophy fibroblast cell lines for use in small molecule screening. iScience 2022; 25:104198. [PMID: 35479399 PMCID: PMC9035709 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2) are common forms of adult onset muscular dystrophy. Pathogenesis in both diseases is largely driven by production of toxic-expanded repeat RNAs that sequester MBNL RNA-binding proteins, causing mis-splicing. Given this shared pathogenesis, we hypothesized that diamidines, small molecules that rescue mis-splicing in DM1 models, could also rescue mis-splicing in DM2 models. While several DM1 cell models exist, few are available for DM2 limiting research and therapeutic development. Here, we characterize DM1 and DM2 patient-derived fibroblasts for use in small molecule screens and therapeutic studies. We identify mis-splicing events unique to DM2 fibroblasts and common events shared with DM1 fibroblasts. We show that diamidines can partially rescue molecular phenotypes in both DM1 and DM2 fibroblasts. This study demonstrates the potential of fibroblasts as models for DM1 and DM2, which will help meet an important need for well-characterized DM2 cell models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana R. Jenquin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Alana P. O’Brien
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Kiril Poukalov
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Yidan Lu
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Jesus A. Frias
- RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Hannah K. Shorrock
- RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Jared I. Richardson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Hormoz Mazdiyasni
- RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Hongfen Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products Drug Discovery and Development, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Robert W. Huigens
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products Drug Discovery and Development, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - David Boykin
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Laura P.W. Ranum
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - John Douglas Cleary
- RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - Eric T. Wang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - J. Andrew Berglund
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
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7
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Tang S, Sethunath V, Metaferia NY, Nogueira MF, Gallant DS, Garner ER, Lairson LA, Penney CM, Li J, Gelbard MK, Alaiwi SA, Seo JH, Hwang JH, Strathdee CA, Baca SC, AbuHammad S, Zhang X, Doench JG, Hahn WC, Takeda DY, Freedman ML, Choi PS, Viswanathan SR. A genome-scale CRISPR screen reveals PRMT1 as a critical regulator of androgen receptor signaling in prostate cancer. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110417. [PMID: 35196489 PMCID: PMC9036938 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is the central driver of prostate cancer across disease states. While androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is effective in the initial treatment of prostate cancer, resistance to ADT or to next-generation androgen pathway inhibitors invariably arises, most commonly through the re-activation of the AR axis. Thus, orthogonal approaches to inhibit AR signaling in advanced prostate cancer are essential. Here, via genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 screening, we identify protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) as a critical mediator of AR expression and signaling. PRMT1 regulates the recruitment of AR to genomic target sites and the inhibition of PRMT1 impairs AR binding at lineage-specific enhancers, leading to decreased expression of key oncogenes, including AR itself. In addition, AR-driven prostate cancer cells are uniquely susceptible to combined AR and PRMT1 inhibition. Our findings implicate PRMT1 as a key regulator of AR output and provide a preclinical framework for co-targeting of AR and PRMT1 in advanced prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Tang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Nebiyou Y Metaferia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Marina F Nogueira
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Daniel S Gallant
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Emma R Garner
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Lauren A Lairson
- Division of Cancer Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Christopher M Penney
- Division of Cancer Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jiao Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Maya K Gelbard
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sarah Abou Alaiwi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Ji-Heui Seo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Justin H Hwang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | | | - Sylvan C Baca
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Shatha AbuHammad
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Zhang
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - John G Doench
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - William C Hahn
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - David Y Takeda
- Laboratory of Genitourinary Cancer Pathogenesis, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Matthew L Freedman
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Peter S Choi
- Division of Cancer Pathobiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Srinivas R Viswanathan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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8
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Liu J, Guo ZN, Yan XL, Yang Y, Huang S. Brain Pathogenesis and Potential Therapeutic Strategies in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:755392. [PMID: 34867280 PMCID: PMC8634727 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.755392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most common muscular dystrophy that affects multiple systems including the muscle and heart. The mutant CTG expansion at the 3'-UTR of the DMPK gene causes the expression of toxic RNA that aggregate as nuclear foci. The foci then interfere with RNA-binding proteins, affecting hundreds of mis-spliced effector genes, leading to aberrant alternative splicing and loss of effector gene product functions, ultimately resulting in systemic disorders. In recent years, increasing clinical, imaging, and pathological evidence have indicated that DM1, though to a lesser extent, could also be recognized as true brain diseases, with more and more researchers dedicating to develop novel therapeutic tools dealing with it. In this review, we summarize the current advances in the pathogenesis and pathology of central nervous system (CNS) deficits in DM1, intervention measures currently being investigated are also highlighted, aiming to promote novel and cutting-edge therapeutic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center & Clinical Trial and Research Center for Stroke, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- China National Comprehensive Stroke Center, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Disease, Changchun, China
| | - Zhen-Ni Guo
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center & Clinical Trial and Research Center for Stroke, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- China National Comprehensive Stroke Center, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Disease, Changchun, China
| | - Xiu-Li Yan
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center & Clinical Trial and Research Center for Stroke, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center & Clinical Trial and Research Center for Stroke, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- China National Comprehensive Stroke Center, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Disease, Changchun, China
| | - Shuo Huang
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center & Clinical Trial and Research Center for Stroke, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- China National Comprehensive Stroke Center, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Disease, Changchun, China
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9
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Vezina-Dawod S, Angelbello AJ, Choudhary S, Wang KW, Yildirim I, Disney MD. Massively Parallel Optimization of the Linker Domain in Small Molecule Dimers Targeting a Toxic r(CUG) Repeat Expansion. ACS Med Chem Lett 2021; 12:907-914. [PMID: 34141068 PMCID: PMC8201483 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.1c00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA contributes to disease pathobiology and is an important therapeutic target. The downstream biology of disease-causing RNAs can be short-circuited with small molecules that recognize structured regions. The discovery and optimization of small molecules interacting with RNA is, however, challenging. Herein, we demonstrate a massively parallel one-bead-one-compound methodology, employed to optimize the linker region of a dimeric compound that binds the toxic r(CUG) repeat expansion [r(CUG)exp] causative of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Indeed, affinity selection on a 331,776-member library allowed the discovery of a compound with enhanced potency both in vitro (10-fold) and in DM1-patient-derived myotubes (5-fold). Molecular dynamics simulations revealed additional interactions between the optimized linker and the RNA, resulting in ca. 10 kcal/mol lower binding free energy. The compound was conjugated to a cleavage module, which directly cleaved the transcript harboring the r(CUG)exp and alleviated disease-associated defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Vezina-Dawod
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Alicia J. Angelbello
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Shruti Choudhary
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Kye Won Wang
- Department
of Chemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Ilyas Yildirim
- Department
of Chemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Matthew D. Disney
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
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10
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Andreana I, Repellin M, Carton F, Kryza D, Briançon S, Chazaud B, Mounier R, Arpicco S, Malatesta M, Stella B, Lollo G. Nanomedicine for Gene Delivery and Drug Repurposing in the Treatment of Muscular Dystrophies. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:278. [PMID: 33669654 PMCID: PMC7922331 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13020278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscular Dystrophies (MDs) are a group of rare inherited genetic muscular pathologies encompassing a variety of clinical phenotypes, gene mutations and mechanisms of disease. MDs undergo progressive skeletal muscle degeneration causing severe health problems that lead to poor life quality, disability and premature death. There are no available therapies to counteract the causes of these diseases and conventional treatments are administered only to mitigate symptoms. Recent understanding on the pathogenetic mechanisms allowed the development of novel therapeutic strategies based on gene therapy, genome editing CRISPR/Cas9 and drug repurposing approaches. Despite the therapeutic potential of these treatments, once the actives are administered, their instability, susceptibility to degradation and toxicity limit their applications. In this frame, the design of delivery strategies based on nanomedicines holds great promise for MD treatments. This review focuses on nanomedicine approaches able to encapsulate therapeutic agents such as small chemical molecules and oligonucleotides to target the most common MDs such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and the Myotonic Dystrophies. The challenge related to in vitro and in vivo testing of nanosystems in appropriate animal models is also addressed. Finally, the most promising nanomedicine-based strategies are highlighted and a critical view in future developments of nanomedicine for neuromuscular diseases is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Andreana
- Laboratoire d’Automatique, de Génie des Procédés et de Génie Pharmaceutique, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5007, 43 bd 11 Novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne, France; (I.A.); (M.R.); (D.K.); (S.B.)
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy;
| | - Mathieu Repellin
- Laboratoire d’Automatique, de Génie des Procédés et de Génie Pharmaceutique, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5007, 43 bd 11 Novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne, France; (I.A.); (M.R.); (D.K.); (S.B.)
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Flavia Carton
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.C.); (M.M.)
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont, Via Solaroli 17, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - David Kryza
- Laboratoire d’Automatique, de Génie des Procédés et de Génie Pharmaceutique, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5007, 43 bd 11 Novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne, France; (I.A.); (M.R.); (D.K.); (S.B.)
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69437 Lyon, France
| | - Stéphanie Briançon
- Laboratoire d’Automatique, de Génie des Procédés et de Génie Pharmaceutique, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5007, 43 bd 11 Novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne, France; (I.A.); (M.R.); (D.K.); (S.B.)
| | - Bénédicte Chazaud
- Institut NeuroMyoGène, University of Lyon, INSERM U1217, CNRS UMR 5310, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France; (B.C.); (R.M.)
| | - Rémi Mounier
- Institut NeuroMyoGène, University of Lyon, INSERM U1217, CNRS UMR 5310, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69008 Lyon, France; (B.C.); (R.M.)
| | - Silvia Arpicco
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy;
| | - Manuela Malatesta
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Barbara Stella
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, 10125 Torino, Italy;
| | - Giovanna Lollo
- Laboratoire d’Automatique, de Génie des Procédés et de Génie Pharmaceutique, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS UMR 5007, 43 bd 11 Novembre 1918, 69622 Villeurbanne, France; (I.A.); (M.R.); (D.K.); (S.B.)
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11
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Fautsch MP, Wieben ED, Baratz KH, Bhattacharyya N, Sadan AN, Hafford-Tear NJ, Tuft SJ, Davidson AE. TCF4-mediated Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: Insights into a common trinucleotide repeat-associated disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 81:100883. [PMID: 32735996 PMCID: PMC7988464 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a common cause for heritable visual loss in the elderly. Since the first description of an association between FECD and common polymorphisms situated within the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene, genetic and molecular studies have implicated an intronic CTG trinucleotide repeat (CTG18.1) expansion as a causal variant in the majority of FECD patients. To date, several non-mutually exclusive mechanisms have been proposed that drive and/or exacerbate the onset of disease. These mechanisms include (i) TCF4 dysregulation; (ii) toxic gain-of-function from TCF4 repeat-containing RNA; (iii) toxic gain-of-function from repeat-associated non-AUG dependent (RAN) translation; and (iv) somatic instability of CTG18.1. However, the relative contribution of these proposed mechanisms in disease pathogenesis is currently unknown. In this review, we summarise research implicating the repeat expansion in disease pathogenesis, define the phenotype-genotype correlations between FECD and CTG18.1 expansion, and provide an update on research tools that are available to study FECD as a trinucleotide repeat expansion disease. Furthermore, ongoing international research efforts to develop novel CTG18.1 expansion-mediated FECD therapeutics are highlighted and we provide a forward-thinking perspective on key unanswered questions that remain in the field. FECD is a common, age-related corneal dystrophy. The majority of cases are associated with expansion of a CTG repeat (CTG18.1). FECD is the most common trinucleotide repeat expansion disease in humans. Evidence supports multiple molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology. Novel CTG18.1-targeted therapeutics are in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Fautsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, 200 1st St SW, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| | - Eric D Wieben
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 200 1st St SW, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| | - Keith H Baratz
- Department of Ophthalmology, 200 1st St SW, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| | | | - Amanda N Sadan
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, ECIV 9EL, UK.
| | | | - Stephen J Tuft
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, ECIV 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, EC1V 2PD, UK.
| | - Alice E Davidson
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, ECIV 9EL, UK.
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12
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Huang K, Masuda A, Chen G, Bushra S, Kamon M, Araki T, Kinoshita M, Ohkawara B, Ito M, Ohno K. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs demethylates MeR2 enhancer and promotes Mbnl1 transcription in myogenic cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2558. [PMID: 32054946 PMCID: PMC7018979 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59517-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1) is a ubiquitously expressed RNA-binding protein, which is highly expressed in skeletal muscle. Abnormally expanded CUG-repeats in the DMPK gene cause myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) by sequestration of MBNL1 to nuclear RNA foci and by upregulation of another RNA-binding protein, CUG-binding protein 1 (CUGBP1). We previously reported that a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), phenylbutazone, upregulates MBNL1 expression in DM1 mouse model by demethylation of MeR2, an enhancer element in Mbnl1 intron 1. NSAIDs inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX), which is comprised of COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms. In this study, we screened 29 NSAIDs in C2C12 myoblasts, and found that 13 NSAIDs enhanced Mbnl1 expression, where COX-1-selective NSAIDs upregulated Mbnl1 more than COX-2-selective NSAIDs. Consistently, knockdown of COX-1, but not of COX-2, upregulated MBNL1 expression in C2C12 myoblasts and myotubes, as well as in myotubes differentiated from DM1 patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Luciferase assay showed that COX-1-knockdown augmented the MeR2 enhancer activity. Furthermore, bisulfite sequencing analysis demonstrated that COX-1-knockdown suppressed methylation of MeR2. These results suggest that COX-1 inhibition upregulates Mbnl1 transcription through demethylation of the MeR2 enhancer. Taken together, our study provides new insights into the transcriptional regulation of Mbnl1 by the COX-1-mediated pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Huang
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Akio Masuda
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
| | - Guiying Chen
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Samira Bushra
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Kamon
- Department of Peripheral Nervous System Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Araki
- Department of Peripheral Nervous System Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Bisei Ohkawara
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Mikako Ito
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kinji Ohno
- Division of Neurogenetics, Center for Neurological Diseases and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
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13
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Onizuka K, Hazemi ME, Sato N, Tsuji GI, Ishikawa S, Ozawa M, Tanno K, Yamada K, Nagatsugi F. Reactive OFF-ON type alkylating agents for higher-ordered structures of nucleic acids. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 47:6578-6589. [PMID: 31188442 PMCID: PMC6649768 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Higher-ordered structure motifs of nucleic acids, such as the G-quadruplex (G-4), mismatched and bulge structures, are significant research targets because these structures are involved in genetic control and diseases. Selective alkylation of these higher-order structures is challenging due to the chemical instability of the alkylating agent and side-reactions with the single- or double-strand DNA and RNA. We now report the reactive OFF-ON type alkylating agents, vinyl-quinazolinone (VQ) precursors with a sulfoxide, thiophenyl or thiomethyl group for the OFF-ON control of the vinyl reactivity. The stable VQ precursors conjugated with aminoacridine, which bind to the G-4 DNA, selectively reacted with a T base on the G-4 DNA in contrast to the single- and double-strand DNA. Additionally, the VQ precursor reacted with the T or U base in the AP-site, G-4 RNA and T-T mismatch structures. These VQ precursors would be a new candidate for the T or U specific alkylation in the higher-ordered structures of nucleic acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumitsu Onizuka
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan.,Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Madoka E Hazemi
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan.,Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Norihiro Sato
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan.,Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Gen-Ichiro Tsuji
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
| | - Shunya Ishikawa
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan.,Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Mamiko Ozawa
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
| | - Kousuke Tanno
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan.,Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Ken Yamada
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan.,Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Fumi Nagatsugi
- Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan.,Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
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14
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Nutter CA, Bubenik JL, Oliveira R, Ivankovic F, Sznajder ŁJ, Kidd BM, Pinto BS, Otero BA, Carter HA, Vitriol EA, Wang ET, Swanson MS. Cell-type-specific dysregulation of RNA alternative splicing in short tandem repeat mouse knockin models of myotonic dystrophy. Genes Dev 2019; 33:1635-1640. [PMID: 31624084 PMCID: PMC6942047 DOI: 10.1101/gad.328963.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Short tandem repeats (STRs) are prone to expansion mutations that cause multiple hereditary neurological and neuromuscular diseases. To study pathomechanisms using mouse models that recapitulate the tissue specificity and developmental timing of an STR expansion gene, we used rolling circle amplification and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing to generate Dmpk CTG expansion (CTGexp) knockin models of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). We demonstrate that skeletal muscle myoblasts and brain choroid plexus epithelial cells are particularly susceptible to Dmpk CTGexp mutations and RNA missplicing. Our results implicate dysregulation of muscle regeneration and cerebrospinal fluid homeostasis as early pathogenic events in DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curtis A Nutter
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Jodi L Bubenik
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Ruan Oliveira
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Franjo Ivankovic
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Łukasz J Sznajder
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Benjamin M Kidd
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Belinda S Pinto
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Brittney A Otero
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Helmut A Carter
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Eric A Vitriol
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Eric T Wang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
| | - Maurice S Swanson
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
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15
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Reddy K, Jenquin JR, Cleary JD, Berglund JA. Mitigating RNA Toxicity in Myotonic Dystrophy using Small Molecules. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4017. [PMID: 31426500 PMCID: PMC6720693 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20164017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This review, one in a series on myotonic dystrophy (DM), is focused on the development and potential use of small molecules as therapeutics for DM. The complex mechanisms and pathogenesis of DM are covered in the associated reviews. Here, we examine the various small molecule approaches taken to target the DNA, RNA, and proteins that contribute to disease onset and progression in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and 2 (DM2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaalak Reddy
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
| | - Jana R Jenquin
- Center for NeuroGenetics and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - John D Cleary
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - J Andrew Berglund
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
- Center for NeuroGenetics and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA.
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16
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Jenquin JR, Yang H, Huigens RW, Nakamori M, Berglund JA. Combination Treatment of Erythromycin and Furamidine Provides Additive and Synergistic Rescue of Mis-Splicing in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Models. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2019; 2:247-263. [PMID: 31485578 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.9b00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multi-systemic disease that presents with clinical symptoms including myotonia, cardiac dysfunction and cognitive impairment. DM1 is caused by a CTG expansion in the 3' UTR of the DMPK gene. The transcribed expanded CUG repeat RNA sequester the muscleblind-like (MBNL) and up-regulate the CUG-BP Elav-like (CELF) families of RNA-binding proteins leading to global mis-regulation of RNA processing and altered gene expression. Currently, there are no disease-targeting treatments for DM1. Given the multi-step pathogenic mechanism, combination therapies targeting different aspects of the disease mechanism may be a viable therapeutic approach. Here, as proof-of-concept, we studied a combination of two previously characterized small molecules, erythromycin and furamidine, in two DM1 models. In DM1 patient-derived myotubes, rescue of mis-splicing was observed with little to no cell toxicity. In a DM1 mouse model, a combination of erythromycin and the prodrug of furamidine (pafuramidine), administered orally, displayed both additive and synergistic mis-splicing rescue. Gene expression was only modestly affected and over 40 % of the genes showing significant expression changes were rescued back toward WT expression levels. Further, the combination treatment partially rescued the myotonia phenotype in the DM1 mouse. This combination treatment showed a high degree of mis-splicing rescue coupled with low off-target gene expression changes. These results indicate that combination therapies are a promising therapeutic approach for DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana R Jenquin
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA
| | - Hongfen Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products Drug Discovery and Development, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Robert W Huigens
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Center for Natural Products Drug Discovery and Development, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Masayuki Nakamori
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - J Andrew Berglund
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Center for NeuroGenetics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32610, USA.,Department of Biological Sciences, RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, New York, 12222, USA
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17
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Vo T, Paul A, Kumar A, Boykin DW, Wilson WD. Biosensor-surface plasmon resonance: A strategy to help establish a new generation RNA-specific small molecules. Methods 2019; 167:15-27. [PMID: 31077819 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Biosensor surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a highly sensitive technique and is most commonly used to decipher the interactions of biological systems including proteins and nucleic acids. Throughout the years, there have been significant efforts to develop SPR assays for studying protein-protein interactions, protein-DNA interactions, as well as small molecules to target DNAs that are of therapeutic interest. With the explosion of discovery of new RNA structures and functions, it is time to review the applications of SPR to RNA interaction studies, which have actually extended over a long time period. The primary advantage of SPR is its ability to measure affinities and kinetics in real time, along with being a label-free technique and utilizing relatively small quantities of materials. Recently, developments that use SPR to analyze the interactions of different RNA sequences with proteins and small molecules demonstrate the versatility of SPR as a powerful method in the analysis of the structure-function relationships, not only for biological macromolecules but also for potential drug candidates. This chapter will guide the reader through some background material followed by an extensive assay development to dissect the interactions of small molecules and RNA sequences using SPR as the critical method. The protocol includes (i) fundamental concepts of SPR, (ii) experimental design and execution, (iii) the immobilization of RNA using the streptavidin-biotin capturing method, and (iv) affinities and kinetics analyses of the interactions using specific example samples. The chapter also contains useful notes to address situations that might arise during the process. This assay demonstrates SPR as a valuable quantitative method used in the search for potential therapeutic agents that selectively target RNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tam Vo
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics Georgia State University, 50 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Ananya Paul
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics Georgia State University, 50 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Arvind Kumar
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics Georgia State University, 50 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - David W Boykin
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics Georgia State University, 50 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - W David Wilson
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics Georgia State University, 50 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
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18
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Nguyen L, Cleary JD, Ranum LPW. Repeat-Associated Non-ATG Translation: Molecular Mechanisms and Contribution to Neurological Disease. Annu Rev Neurosci 2019; 42:227-247. [PMID: 30909783 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-070918-050405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Microsatellite mutations involving the expansion of tri-, tetra-, penta-, or hexanucleotide repeats cause more than 40 different neurological disorders. Although, traditionally, the position of the repeat within or outside of an open reading frame has been used to focus research on disease mechanisms involving protein loss of function, protein gain of function, or RNA gain of function, the discoveries of bidirectional transcription and repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) have blurred these distinctions. Here we review what is known about RAN proteins in disease, the mechanisms by which they are produced, and the novel therapeutic opportunities they provide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Nguyen
- Center for NeuroGenetics, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Genetics Institute, and McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA;
| | - John Douglas Cleary
- Center for NeuroGenetics, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Genetics Institute, and McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA;
| | - Laura P W Ranum
- Center for NeuroGenetics, Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Genetics Institute, and McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA;
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