1
|
Ward C, Beharry A, Tennakoon R, Rozik P, Wilhelm SDP, Heinemann IU, O’Donoghue P. Mechanisms and Delivery of tRNA Therapeutics. Chem Rev 2024; 124:7976-8008. [PMID: 38801719 PMCID: PMC11212642 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) therapeutics will provide personalized and mutation specific medicines to treat human genetic diseases for which no cures currently exist. The tRNAs are a family of adaptor molecules that interpret the nucleic acid sequences in our genes into the amino acid sequences of proteins that dictate cell function. Humans encode more than 600 tRNA genes. Interestingly, even healthy individuals contain some mutant tRNAs that make mistakes. Missense suppressor tRNAs insert the wrong amino acid in proteins, and nonsense suppressor tRNAs read through premature stop signals to generate full length proteins. Mutations that underlie many human diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, and diverse rare genetic disorders, result from missense or nonsense mutations. Thus, specific tRNA variants can be strategically deployed as therapeutic agents to correct genetic defects. We review the mechanisms of tRNA therapeutic activity, the nature of the therapeutic window for nonsense and missense suppression as well as wild-type tRNA supplementation. We discuss the challenges and promises of delivering tRNAs as synthetic RNAs or as gene therapies. Together, tRNA medicines will provide novel treatments for common and rare genetic diseases in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cian Ward
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Aruun Beharry
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Rasangi Tennakoon
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Peter Rozik
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Sarah D. P. Wilhelm
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Ilka U. Heinemann
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Patrick O’Donoghue
- Department of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Morais P, Zhang R, Yu YT. Therapeutic Nonsense Suppression Modalities: From Small Molecules to Nucleic Acid-Based Approaches. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1284. [PMID: 38927491 PMCID: PMC11201248 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Nonsense mutations are genetic mutations that create premature termination codons (PTCs), leading to truncated, defective proteins in diseases such as cystic fibrosis, neurofibromatosis type 1, Dravet syndrome, Hurler syndrome, Beta thalassemia, inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and even cancer. These mutations can also trigger a cellular surveillance mechanism known as nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) that degrades the PTC-containing mRNA. The activation of NMD can attenuate the consequences of truncated, defective, and potentially toxic proteins in the cell. Since approximately 20% of all single-point mutations are disease-causing nonsense mutations, it is not surprising that this field has received significant attention, resulting in a remarkable advancement in recent years. In fact, since our last review on this topic, new examples of nonsense suppression approaches have been reported, namely new ways of promoting the translational readthrough of PTCs or inhibiting the NMD pathway. With this review, we update the state-of-the-art technologies in nonsense suppression, focusing on novel modalities with therapeutic potential, such as small molecules (readthrough agents, NMD inhibitors, and molecular glue degraders); antisense oligonucleotides; tRNA suppressors; ADAR-mediated RNA editing; targeted pseudouridylation; and gene/base editing. While these various modalities have significantly advanced in their development stage since our last review, each has advantages (e.g., ease of delivery and specificity) and disadvantages (manufacturing complexity and off-target effect potential), which we discuss here.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Morais
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Research and Development, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Rui Zhang
- Center for RNA Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
| | - Yi-Tao Yu
- Center for RNA Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nemudraia A, Nemudryi A, Wiedenheft B. Repair of CRISPR-guided RNA breaks enables site-specific RNA excision in human cells. Science 2024; 384:808-814. [PMID: 38662916 PMCID: PMC11175973 DOI: 10.1126/science.adk5518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Genome editing with CRISPR RNA-guided endonucleases generates DNA breaks that are resolved by cellular DNA repair machinery. However, analogous methods to manipulate RNA remain unavailable. We show that site-specific RNA breaks generated with type-III CRISPR complexes are repaired in human cells and that this repair can be used for programmable deletions in human transcripts to restore gene function. Collectively, this work establishes a technology for precise RNA manipulation with potential therapeutic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Nemudraia
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University; Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Artem Nemudryi
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University; Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| | - Blake Wiedenheft
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University; Bozeman, MT, 59717, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Pappas CT, Mayfield RM, Dickerson AE, Mi-Mi L, Gregorio CC. Human disease-causing mutations result in loss of leiomodin 2 through nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011279. [PMID: 38748723 PMCID: PMC11132695 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The leiomodin (Lmod) family of actin-binding proteins play a critical role in muscle function, highlighted by the fact that mutations in all three family members (LMOD1-3) result in human myopathies. Mutations in the cardiac predominant isoform, LMOD2 lead to severe neonatal dilated cardiomyopathy. Most of the disease-causing mutations in the LMOD gene family are nonsense, or frameshift, mutations predicted to result in expression of truncated proteins. However, in nearly all cases of disease, little to no LMOD protein is expressed. We show here that nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, a cellular mechanism which eliminates mRNAs with premature termination codons, underlies loss of mutant protein from two independent LMOD2 disease-causing mutations. Furthermore, we generated steric-blocking oligonucleotides that obstruct deposition of the exon junction complex, preventing nonsense-mediated mRNA decay of mutant LMOD2 transcripts, thereby restoring mutant protein expression. Our investigation lays the initial groundwork for potential therapeutic intervention in LMOD-linked myopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T. Pappas
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Sarver Molecular Cardiovascular Research Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Rachel M. Mayfield
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Sarver Molecular Cardiovascular Research Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Ava E. Dickerson
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Sarver Molecular Cardiovascular Research Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Lei Mi-Mi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Sarver Molecular Cardiovascular Research Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Carol C. Gregorio
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Sarver Molecular Cardiovascular Research Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- Department of Medicine and Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Premchandar A, Ming R, Baiad A, Da Fonte DF, Xu H, Faubert D, Veit G, Lukacs GL. Readthrough-induced misincorporated amino acid ratios guide mutant-specific therapeutic approaches for two CFTR nonsense mutations. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1389586. [PMID: 38725656 PMCID: PMC11079177 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1389586] [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: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a monogenic disease caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Premature termination codons (PTCs) represent ∼9% of CF mutations that typically cause severe expression defects of the CFTR anion channel. Despite the prevalence of PTCs as the underlying cause of genetic diseases, understanding the therapeutic susceptibilities of their molecular defects, both at the transcript and protein levels remains partially elucidated. Given that the molecular pathologies depend on the PTC positions in CF, multiple pharmacological interventions are required to suppress the accelerated nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), to correct the CFTR conformational defect caused by misincorporated amino acids, and to enhance the inefficient stop codon readthrough. The G418-induced readthrough outcome was previously investigated only in reporter models that mimic the impact of the local sequence context on PTC mutations in CFTR. To identify the misincorporated amino acids and their ratios for PTCs in the context of full-length CFTR readthrough, we developed an affinity purification (AP)-tandem mass spectrometry (AP-MS/MS) pipeline. We confirmed the incorporation of Cys, Arg, and Trp residues at the UGA stop codons of G542X, R1162X, and S1196X in CFTR. Notably, we observed that the Cys and Arg incorporation was favored over that of Trp into these CFTR PTCs, suggesting that the transcript sequence beyond the proximity of PTCs and/or other factors can impact the amino acid incorporation and full-length CFTR functional expression. Additionally, establishing the misincorporated amino acid ratios in the readthrough CFTR PTCs aided in maximizing the functional rescue efficiency of PTCs by optimizing CFTR modulator combinations. Collectively, our findings contribute to the understanding of molecular defects underlying various CFTR nonsense mutations and provide a foundation to refine mutation-dependent therapeutic strategies for various CF-causing nonsense mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ruiji Ming
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Abed Baiad
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Haijin Xu
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Denis Faubert
- IRCM Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Platform, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Guido Veit
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Gergely L. Lukacs
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Salapa HE, Thibault PA, Libner CD, Ding Y, Clarke JPWE, Denomy C, Hutchinson C, Abidullah HM, Austin Hammond S, Pastushok L, Vizeacoumar FS, Levin MC. hnRNP A1 dysfunction alters RNA splicing and drives neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis (MS). Nat Commun 2024; 15:356. [PMID: 38191621 PMCID: PMC10774274 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44658-1] [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: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is the primary driver of disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) resulting in permanent disability, creating an urgent need to discover its underlying mechanisms. Herein, we establish that dysfunction of the RNA binding protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) results in differential of binding to RNA targets causing alternative RNA splicing, which contributes to neurodegeneration in MS and its models. Using RNAseq of MS brains, we discovered differential expression and aberrant splicing of hnRNP A1 target RNAs involved in neuronal function and RNA homeostasis. We confirmed this in vivo in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis employing CLIPseq specific for hnRNP A1, where hnRNP A1 differentially binds and regulates RNA, including aberrantly spliced targets identified in human samples. Additionally, dysfunctional hnRNP A1 expression in neurons caused neurite loss and identical changes in splicing, corroborating hnRNP A1 dysfunction as a cause of neurodegeneration. Collectively, these data indicate hnRNP A1 dysfunction causes altered neuronal RNA splicing, resulting in neurodegeneration in MS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E Salapa
- Office of the Saskatchewan Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research Chair, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0M7, Canada
- Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0M7, Canada
- Neurology Division, Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X8, Canada
| | - Patricia A Thibault
- Office of the Saskatchewan Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research Chair, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0M7, Canada
- Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0M7, Canada
- Neurology Division, Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X8, Canada
| | - Cole D Libner
- Office of the Saskatchewan Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research Chair, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0M7, Canada
- Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0M7, Canada
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Yulian Ding
- Division of Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A9, Canada
| | - Joseph-Patrick W E Clarke
- Office of the Saskatchewan Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research Chair, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0M7, Canada
- Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0M7, Canada
- Neurology Division, Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X8, Canada
| | - Connor Denomy
- Division of Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Catherine Hutchinson
- Office of the Saskatchewan Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research Chair, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0M7, Canada
- Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0M7, Canada
- Neurology Division, Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X8, Canada
| | - Hashim M Abidullah
- Office of the Saskatchewan Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research Chair, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0M7, Canada
- Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0M7, Canada
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - S Austin Hammond
- Next-Generation Sequencing Facility, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Landon Pastushok
- Advanced Diagnostics Research Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Frederick S Vizeacoumar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Michael C Levin
- Office of the Saskatchewan Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research Chair, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0M7, Canada.
- Cameco MS Neuroscience Research Centre, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 0M7, Canada.
- Neurology Division, Department of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0X8, Canada.
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Monaghan L, Longman D, Cáceres JF. Translation-coupled mRNA quality control mechanisms. EMBO J 2023; 42:e114378. [PMID: 37605642 PMCID: PMC10548175 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023114378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
mRNA surveillance pathways are essential for accurate gene expression and to maintain translation homeostasis, ensuring the production of fully functional proteins. Future insights into mRNA quality control pathways will enable us to understand how cellular mRNA levels are controlled, how defective or unwanted mRNAs can be eliminated, and how dysregulation of these can contribute to human disease. Here we review translation-coupled mRNA quality control mechanisms, including the non-stop and no-go mRNA decay pathways, describing their mechanisms, shared trans-acting factors, and differences. We also describe advances in our understanding of the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway, highlighting recent mechanistic findings, the discovery of novel factors, as well as the role of NMD in cellular physiology and its impact on human disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Monaghan
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and CancerUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Dasa Longman
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and CancerUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Javier F Cáceres
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and CancerUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lo Cicero S, Castelli G, Blaconà G, Bruno SM, Sette G, Pigliucci R, Villella VR, Esposito S, Zollo I, Spadaro F, Maria RD, Biffoni M, Cimino G, Amato F, Lucarelli M, Eramo A. L1077P CFTR pathogenic variant function rescue by Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor in cystic fibrosis patient-derived air-liquid interface (ALI) cultures and organoids: in vitro guided personalized therapy of non-F508del patients. Respir Res 2023; 24:217. [PMID: 37674160 PMCID: PMC10483775 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-023-02516-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by defects of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. CFTR-modulating drugs may overcome specific defects, such as the case of Trikafta, which is a clinically approved triple combination of Elexacaftor, Tezacaftor and Ivacaftor (ETI) that exhibited a strong ability to rescue the function of the most frequent F508del pathogenic variant even in genotypes with the mutated allele in single copy. Nevertheless, most rare genotypes lacking the F508del allele are still not eligible for targeted therapies. Via the innovative approach of using nasal conditionally reprogrammed cell (CRC) cell-based models that mimic patient disease in vitro, which are obtainable from each patient due to the 100% efficiency of the cell culture establishment, we theratyped orphan CFTR mutation L1077P. Protein studies, Forskolin-induced organoid swelling, and Ussing chamber assays congruently proved the L1077P variant function rescue by ETI. Notably, this rescue takes place even in the context of a single-copy L1077P allele, which appears to enhance its expression. Thus, the possibility of single-allele treatment also arises for rare genotypes, with an allele-specific modulation as part of the mechanism. Of note, besides providing indication of drug efficacy with respect to specific CFTR pathogenic variants or genotypes, this approach allows the evaluation of the response of single-patient cells within their genetic background. In this view, our studies support in vitro guided personalized CF therapies also for rare patients who are nearly excluded from clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Lo Cicero
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Germana Castelli
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Blaconà
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabina Maria Bruno
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sette
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Pigliucci
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Rachela Villella
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.a.r.l, Naples, Italy
| | - Speranza Esposito
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.a.r.l, Naples, Italy
| | - Immacolata Zollo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.a.r.l, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Spadaro
- Confocal Microscopy Unit, Core Facilities, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ruggero De Maria
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario 'A. Gemelli'-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Biffoni
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Cimino
- Cystic Fibrosis Reference Center of Lazio Region, AOU Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | - Felice Amato
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie Avanzate S.c.a.r.l, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Lucarelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Pasteur Institute, Cenci Bolognetti Foundation, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Adriana Eramo
- Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zheng Z, Song Y, Tan X. Deciphering hERG Mutation in Long QT Syndrome Type 2 Using Antisense Oligonucleotide-Mediated Techniques: Lessons from Cystic Fibrosis. Heart Rhythm 2023:S1547-5271(23)02180-X. [PMID: 37121422 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2023.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Long QT syndrome type 2 (LQT2) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the KCNH2 gene, also known as the human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG). Over 30% of hERG mutations result in a premature termination codon (PTC) that triggers a process called nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), where the mRNA transcript is degraded. NMD is a quality control mechanism that removes faulty mRNA to prevent the translation of truncated proteins. Recent advances in antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) technology in the field of cystic fibrosis (CF) have yielded significant progress, including the ASO-mediated comprehensive characterization of key NMD factors and exon-skipping therapy. These advances have contributed to our understanding of the role of PTC-containing mutations in disease phenotypes and have also led to the development of potentially useful therapeutic strategies. Historically, studies of CF have provided valuable insights for the research on LQT2, particularly concerning increasing the expression of hERG. In this article, we outline the current state of knowledge regarding ASO, NMD, and hERG and discuss the introduction of ASO technology in the CF to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms through targeting NMD. We also discuss the potential clinical therapeutic benefits and limitations of ASO for the management of LQT2. By drawing on lessons learned from CF research, we explore the potential translational values of these advances into LQT2 studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zequn Zheng
- Department of Cardiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China; Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China; Clinical Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China.
| | - Yongfei Song
- Ningbo Institute for Medicine &Biomedical Engineering Combined Innovation, Ningbo, China
| | - Xuerui Tan
- Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China; Clinical Research Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Smith DM, Niehoff ML, Ling K, Jafar-Nejad P, Rigo F, Farr SA, Wilkinson MF, Nguyen AD. Targeting nonsense-mediated RNA decay does not increase progranulin levels in the Grn R493X mouse model of frontotemporal dementia. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282822. [PMID: 36893203 PMCID: PMC9997918 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A common cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are nonsense mutations in the progranulin (GRN) gene. Because nonsense mutations activate the nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD) pathway, we sought to inhibit this RNA turnover pathway as a means to increase progranulin levels. Using a knock-in mouse model harboring a common patient mutation, we tested whether either pharmacological or genetic inhibition of NMD upregulates progranulin in these GrnR493X mice. We first examined antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting an exonic region in GrnR493X mRNA predicted to block its degradation by NMD. As we previously reported, these ASOs effectively increased GrnR493X mRNA levels in fibroblasts in vitro. However, following CNS delivery, we found that none of the 8 ASOs we tested increased Grn mRNA levels in the brains of GrnR493X mice. This result was obtained despite broad ASO distribution in the brain. An ASO targeting a different mRNA was effective when administered in parallel to wild-type mice. As an independent approach to inhibit NMD, we examined the effect of loss of an NMD factor not required for embryonic viability: UPF3b. We found that while Upf3b deletion effectively perturbed NMD, it did not increase Grn mRNA levels in Grn+/R493X mouse brains. Together, our results suggest that the NMD-inhibition approaches that we used are likely not viable for increasing progranulin levels in individuals with FTD caused by nonsense GRN mutations. Thus, alternative approaches should be pursued.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denise M. Smith
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Michael L. Niehoff
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Karen Ling
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, California, United States of America
| | | | - Frank Rigo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, California, United States of America
| | - Susan A. Farr
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Miles F. Wilkinson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Andrew D. Nguyen
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Kim YJ, Krainer AR. Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapeutics for Cystic Fibrosis: Recent Developments and Perspectives. Mol Cells 2023; 46:10-20. [PMID: 36697233 PMCID: PMC9880599 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2023.2172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) technology has become an attractive therapeutic modality for various diseases, including Mendelian disorders. ASOs can modulate the expression of a target gene by promoting mRNA degradation or changing pre-mRNA splicing, nonsense-mediated mRNA decay, or translation. Advances in medicinal chemistry and a deeper understanding of post-transcriptional mechanisms have led to the approval of several ASO drugs for diseases that had long lacked therapeutic options. For instance, an ASO drug called nusinersen became the first approved drug for spinal muscular atrophy, improving survival and the overall disease course. Mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene cause cystic fibrosis (CF). Although Trikafta and other CFTR-modulation therapies benefit most CF patients, there is a significant unmet therapeutic need for a subset of CF patients. In this review, we introduce ASO therapies and their mechanisms of action, describe the opportunities and challenges for ASO therapeutics for CF, and discuss the current state and prospects of ASO therapies for CF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Young Jin Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Clarke LA, Amaral MD. What Can RNA-Based Therapy Do for Monogenic Diseases? Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15010260. [PMID: 36678889 PMCID: PMC9863139 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15010260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of RNA-based approaches to treat monogenic diseases (i.e., hereditary disorders caused by mutations in single genes) has been developed on different fronts. One approach uses small antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to modulate RNA processing at various stages; namely, to enhance correct splicing, to stimulate exon skipping (to exclude premature termination codon variants), to avoid undesired messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript degradation via the nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) pathway, or to induce mRNA degradation where they encode toxic proteins (e.g., in dominant diseases). Another approach consists in administering mRNA, which, like gene therapy, is a mutation-agnostic approach with potential application to any recessive monogenic disease. This is simpler than gene therapy because instead of requiring targeting of the nucleus, the mRNA only needs to be delivered to the cytoplasm. Although very promising (as demonstrated by COVID-19 vaccines), these approaches still have potential for optimisation, namely regarding delivery efficiency, adverse drug reactions and toxicity.
Collapse
|
13
|
Upadhyay A, Cao UMN, Hariharan A, Almansoori A, Tran SD. Gene Therapeutic Delivery to the Salivary Glands. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1436:55-68. [PMID: 36826746 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2023_766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
The salivary glands, exocrine glands in our body producing saliva, can be easily damaged by various factors. Radiation therapy and Sjogren's syndrome (a systemic autoimmune disease) are the two main causes of salivary gland damage, leading to a severe reduction in patients' quality of life. Gene transfer to the salivary glands has been considered a promising approach to treating the dysfunction. Gene therapy has long been applied to cure multiple diseases, including cancers, and hereditary and infectious diseases, which are proven to be safe and effective for the well-being of patients. The application of this treatment on salivary gland injuries has been studied for decades, yet its clinical progress is delayed. This chapter provides a coup d'oeil into gene transfer methods and various gene/vector types for salivary glands to help the new scientists and update established scientists on the progress that has been made during the past decades for the treatment of salivary gland disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akshaya Upadhyay
- McGill Craniofacial Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells Laboratory, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Uyen M N Cao
- McGill Craniofacial Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells Laboratory, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Arvind Hariharan
- McGill Craniofacial Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells Laboratory, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Akram Almansoori
- McGill Craniofacial Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells Laboratory, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Simon D Tran
- McGill Craniofacial Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells Laboratory, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Hu J, Zhang Y, Chai Y, Yuan R. Boron Carbon Nitride Nanosheets-Ru Nanocomposite Self-Enhancement Electrochemiluminescence Emitter with a Three-Dimensional DNA Network Structure as a Signal Amplifier for Ultrasensitive Detection of TK1 mRNA. Anal Chem 2022; 94:11345-11351. [PMID: 35917446 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c02110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In this study, a neoteric self-enhanced nanocomposite boron carbon nitride nanosheets (BCN NSs)-Ru obtained by chemical crosslinking between boron carbon nitride nanosheets (BCN NSs) and tris (4,4'-dicarboxylicacid-2,2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) dichloride (Ru(dcbpy)3Cl2) was used as an emitter to build an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for ultrasensitive detection of the cancer marker human thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) mRNA. Importantly, the self-enhanced BCN NSs-Ru could exhibit strong ECL emission because boron radicals and amine groups derived from BCN NSs could significantly enhance the ECL response of Ru(dcbpy)3Cl2, which avoided the defects of the long electron transfer path and large energy loss between the emitter and coreactant in the traditional coreaction ECL system. Impressively, in the presence of target TK1 mRNA, three-dimensional DNA network structure-labeled numerous ferrocene probes could be assembled to quickly quench the ECL signal of BCN NSs-Ru, resulting in improved biosensor sensitivity. The obtained "on-off" biosensor showed excellent stability and high sensitivity with a detection limit of 32.3 aM. In general, the developed strategy provided a new biosensing way for ultrasensitive detection of biomolecules in early disease diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jicui Hu
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Yaqin Chai
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Ruo Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Luminescence Analysis and Molecular Sensing (Southwest University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Veit G, Silva I, Conese M, Laselva O. Editorial: Mechanisms of Novel Drugs and Gene Modifiers in the Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:975946. [PMID: 35903150 PMCID: PMC9315944 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.975946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Guido Veit
- Department of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Massimo Conese
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Onofrio Laselva
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Onofrio Laselva,
| |
Collapse
|