1
|
Ivanov GS, Tribulovich VG, Pestov NB, David TI, Amoah AS, Korneenko TV, Barlev NA. Artificial genetic polymers against human pathologies. Biol Direct 2022; 17:39. [PMID: 36474260 PMCID: PMC9727881 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-022-00353-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Originally discovered by Nielsen in 1991, peptide nucleic acids and other artificial genetic polymers have gained a lot of interest from the scientific community. Due to their unique biophysical features these artificial hybrid polymers are now being employed in various areas of theranostics (therapy and diagnostics). The current review provides an overview of their structure, principles of rational design, and biophysical features as well as highlights the areas of their successful implementation in biology and biomedicine. Finally, the review discusses the areas of improvement that would allow their use as a new class of therapeutics in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gleb S Ivanov
- Institute of Cytology, Tikhoretsky Ave 4, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 194064
- St. Petersburg State Technological Institute (Technical University), Saint Petersburg, Russia, 190013
| | - Vyacheslav G Tribulovich
- St. Petersburg State Technological Institute (Technical University), Saint Petersburg, Russia, 190013
| | - Nikolay B Pestov
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products, Moscow, Russia, 108819
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia, 141701
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia, 117997
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia, 119121б
| | - Temitope I David
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia, 141701
| | - Abdul-Saleem Amoah
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia, 141701
| | - Tatyana V Korneenko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow, Russia, 117997
| | - Nikolai A Barlev
- Institute of Cytology, Tikhoretsky Ave 4, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 194064.
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia, 119121б.
- School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, 010000, Astana, Kazakhstan.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Putman R, Ricciardi AS, Carufe KEW, Quijano E, Bahal R, Glazer PM, Saltzman WM. Nanoparticle‐mediated genome editing in single‐cell embryos via peptide nucleic acids. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 8:e10458. [DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Putman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
- Duke University School of Medicine Durham North Carolina USA
| | - Adele S. Ricciardi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
- Department of Surgery University of Pennsylvania Health Systems Philadelphia Pennsylvania USA
| | - Kelly E. W. Carufe
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
- Department of Genetics Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
| | - Elias Quijano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
- Department of Genetics Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Connecticut Storrs Connecticut USA
| | - Peter M. Glazer
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
- Department of Genetics Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
| | - W. Mark Saltzman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Physiology Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering Yale University New Haven Connecticut USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Suparpprom C, Vilaivan T. Perspectives on conformationally constrained peptide nucleic acid (PNA): insights into the structural design, properties and applications. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:648-697. [PMID: 35755191 PMCID: PMC9175113 DOI: 10.1039/d2cb00017b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acid or PNA is a synthetic DNA mimic that contains a sequence of nucleobases attached to a peptide-like backbone derived from N-2-aminoethylglycine. The semi-rigid PNA backbone acts as a scaffold that arranges the nucleobases in a proper orientation and spacing so that they can pair with their complementary bases on another DNA, RNA, or even PNA strand perfectly well through the standard Watson-Crick base-pairing. The electrostatically neutral backbone of PNA contributes to its many unique properties that make PNA an outstanding member of the xeno-nucleic acid family. Not only PNA can recognize its complementary nucleic acid strand with high affinity, but it does so with excellent specificity that surpasses the specificity of natural nucleic acids and their analogs. Nevertheless, there is still room for further improvements of the original PNA in terms of stability and specificity of base-pairing, direction of binding, and selectivity for different types of nucleic acids, among others. This review focuses on attempts towards the rational design of new generation PNAs with superior performance by introducing conformational constraints such as a ring or a chiral substituent in the PNA backbone. A large collection of conformationally rigid PNAs developed during the past three decades are analyzed and compared in terms of molecular design and properties in relation to structural data if available. Applications of selected modified PNA in various areas such as targeting of structured nucleic acid targets, supramolecular scaffold, biosensing and bioimaging, and gene regulation will be highlighted to demonstrate how the conformation constraint can improve the performance of the PNA. Challenges and future of the research in the area of constrained PNA will also be discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chaturong Suparpprom
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Tah-Poe District, Muang Phitsanulok 65000 Thailand
- Organic Synthesis Research Unit, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University Phayathai Road Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 Thailand
| | - Tirayut Vilaivan
- Department of Chemistry and Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Naresuan University, Tah-Poe District, Muang Phitsanulok 65000 Thailand
- Organic Synthesis Research Unit, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University Phayathai Road Pathumwan Bangkok 10330 Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Novel Orthogonally Hydrocarbon-Modified Cell-Penetrating Peptide Nanoparticles Mediate Efficient Delivery of Splice-Switching Antisense Oligonucleotides In Vitro and In Vivo. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9081046. [PMID: 34440250 PMCID: PMC8392223 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9081046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Splice-switching therapy with splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) has recently proven to be a clinically applicable strategy for the treatment of several mis-splice disorders. Despite this, wider application of SSOs is severely limited by the inherently poor bioavailability of SSO-based therapeutic compounds. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are a class of drug delivery systems (DDSs) that have recently gained considerable attention for improving the uptake of various oligonucleotide (ON)-based compounds, including SSOs. One strategy that has been successfully applied to develop effective CPP vectors is the introduction of various lipid modifications into the peptide. Here, we repurpose hydrocarbon-modified amino acids used in peptide stapling for the orthogonal introduction of hydrophobic modifications into the CPP structure during peptide synthesis. Our data show that α,α-disubstituted alkenyl-alanines can be successfully utilized to introduce hydrophobic modifications into CPPs to improve their ability to formulate SSOs into nanoparticles (NPs), and to mediate high delivery efficacy and tolerability both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusively, our results offer a new flexible approach for the sequence-specific introduction of hydrophobicity into the structure of CPPs and for improving their delivery properties.
Collapse
|
5
|
Brodyagin N, Katkevics M, Kotikam V, Ryan CA, Rozners E. Chemical approaches to discover the full potential of peptide nucleic acids in biomedical applications. Beilstein J Org Chem 2021; 17:1641-1688. [PMID: 34367346 PMCID: PMC8313981 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.17.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is arguably one of the most successful DNA mimics, despite a most dramatic departure from the native structure of DNA. The present review summarizes 30 years of research on PNA's chemistry, optimization of structure and function, applications as probes and diagnostics, and attempts to develop new PNA therapeutics. The discussion starts with a brief review of PNA's binding modes and structural features, followed by the most impactful chemical modifications, PNA enabled assays and diagnostics, and discussion of the current state of development of PNA therapeutics. While many modifications have improved on PNA's binding affinity and specificity, solubility and other biophysical properties, the original PNA is still most frequently used in diagnostic and other in vitro applications. Development of therapeutics and other in vivo applications of PNA has notably lagged behind and is still limited by insufficient bioavailability and difficulties with tissue specific delivery. Relatively high doses are required to overcome poor cellular uptake and endosomal entrapment, which increases the risk of toxicity. These limitations remain unsolved problems waiting for innovative chemistry and biology to unlock the full potential of PNA in biomedical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Brodyagin
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Martins Katkevics
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, Riga, LV-1006, Latvia
| | - Venubabu Kotikam
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Christopher A Ryan
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Eriks Rozners
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Perera JDR, Carufe KEW, Glazer PM. Peptide nucleic acids and their role in gene regulation and editing. Biopolymers 2021; 112:e23460. [PMID: 34129732 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The unique properties of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) makes it a desirable candidate to be used in therapeutic and biotechnological interventions. It has been broadly utilized for numerous applications, with a major focus in regulation of gene expression, and more recently in gene editing. While the classic PNA design has mainly been employed to date, chemical modifications of the PNA backbone and nucleobases provide an avenue to advance the technology further. This review aims to discuss the recent developments in PNA based gene manipulation techniques and the use of novel chemical modifications to improve the current state of PNA mediated gene targeting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Dinithi R Perera
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kelly E W Carufe
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Peter M Glazer
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liang X, Liu M, Komiyama M. Recognition of Target Site in Various Forms of DNA and RNA by Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA): From Fundamentals to Practical Applications. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2021. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20210086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xingguo Liang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, P. R. China
- Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts of Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266235, P. R. China
| | - Mengqin Liu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, P. R. China
| | - Makoto Komiyama
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ryan CA, Brodyagin N, Lok J, Rozners E. The 2-Aminopyridine Nucleobase Improves Triple-Helical Recognition of RNA and DNA When Used Instead of Pseudoisocytosine in Peptide Nucleic Acids. Biochemistry 2021; 60:1919-1925. [PMID: 34097400 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pseudoisocytosine (J), a neutral analogue of protonated cytosine, is currently the gold standard modified nucleobase in peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) for the formation of J·G-C triplets that are stable at physiological pH. This study shows that triple-helical recognition of RNA and DNA is significantly improved by using 2-aminopyridine (M) instead of J. The positively charged M forms 3-fold stronger M+·G-C triplets than J with uncompromised sequence selectivity. Replacement of six Js with Ms in a PNA 9-mer increased its binding affinity by ∼2 orders of magnitude. M-modified PNAs prefer binding double-stranded RNA over DNA and disfavor off-target binding to single-stranded nucleic acids. Taken together, the results show that M is a promising modified nucleobase that significantly improves triplex-forming PNAs and may provide breakthrough developments for therapeutic and biotechnology applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A Ryan
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Nikita Brodyagin
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Justin Lok
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Eriks Rozners
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, The State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Volpi S, Cancelli U, Neri M, Corradini R. Multifunctional Delivery Systems for Peptide Nucleic Acids. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 14:14. [PMID: 33375595 PMCID: PMC7823687 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of applications of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs)-oligonucleotide analogs with a polyamide backbone-is continuously increasing in both in vitro and cellular systems and, parallel to this, delivery systems able to bring PNAs to their targets have been developed. This review is intended to give to the readers an overview on the available carriers for these oligonucleotide mimics, with a particular emphasis on newly developed multi-component- and multifunctional vehicles which boosted PNA research in recent years. The following approaches will be discussed: (a) conjugation with carrier molecules and peptides; (b) liposome formulations; (c) polymer nanoparticles; (d) inorganic porous nanoparticles; (e) carbon based nanocarriers; and (f) self-assembled and supramolecular systems. New therapeutic strategies enabled by the combination of PNA and proper delivery systems are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Roberto Corradini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (S.V.); (U.C.); (M.N.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Félix AJ, Solé A, Noé V, Ciudad CJ. Gene Correction of Point Mutations Using PolyPurine Reverse Hoogsteen Hairpins Technology. Front Genome Ed 2020; 2:583577. [PMID: 34713221 PMCID: PMC8525393 DOI: 10.3389/fgeed.2020.583577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Monogenic disorders are often the result of single point mutations in specific genes, leading to the production of non-functional proteins. Different blood disorders such as ß-thalassemia, sickle cell disease, hereditary spherocytosis, Fanconi anemia, and Hemophilia A and B are usually caused by point mutations. Gene editing tools including TALENs, ZFNs, or CRISPR/Cas platforms have been developed to correct mutations responsible for different diseases. However, alternative molecular tools such as triplex-forming oligonucleotides and their derivatives (e.g., peptide nucleic acids), not relying on nuclease activity, have also demonstrated their ability to correct mutations in the DNA. Here, we review the Repair-PolyPurine Reverse Hoogsteen hairpins (PPRHs) technology, which can represent an alternative gene editing tool within this field. Repair-PPRHs are non-modified single-stranded DNA molecules formed by two polypurine mirror repeat sequences linked by a five-thymidine bridge, followed by an extended sequence at one end of the molecule which is homologous to the DNA sequence to be repaired but containing the corrected nucleotide. The two polypurine arms of the PPRH are bound by intramolecular reverse-Hoogsteen bonds between the purines, thus forming a hairpin structure. This hairpin core binds to polypyrimidine tracts located relatively near the target mutation in the dsDNA in a sequence-specific manner by Watson-Crick bonds, thus producing a triplex structure which stimulates recombination. This technology has been successfully employed to repair a collection of mutants of the dhfr and aprt genes within their endogenous loci in mammalian cells and could be suitable for the correction of mutations responsible for blood disorders.
Collapse
|
11
|
Xu M, Fu P, Xing S, Zhao Y, Zhao C. A PNA-DNA 2 Triple-Helix Molecular Switch-Based Colorimetric Sensor for Sensitive and Specific Detection of microRNAs from Cancer Cells. Chembiochem 2020; 21:2667-2675. [PMID: 32304168 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs), the synthetic DNA mimics that can bind to oligonucleotides to form duplexes, triplexes, and quadruplexes, could be advantageous as probes for nucleic acid sequences owing to their unique physicochemical and biochemical properties. We have found that a homopurine PNA strand could bind to two homopyrimidine DNA strands to form a PNA-DNA2 triplex. Moreover, the cyanine dye DiSC2 (5) could bind with high affinity to this triplex and cause a noticeable color change. On the basis of this phenomenon, we have designed a label-free colorimetric sensing platform for miRNAs from cancer cells by using a PNA-DNA2 triple-helix molecular switch (THMS) and DiSC2 (5). This sensing platform can detect miRNA-21 specifically with a detection limit of 0.18 nM, which is comparable to that of the THMS-mediated fluorescence sensing platform. Moreover, this colorimetric platform does not involve any chemical modification or enzymatic signal amplification, which boosts its applicability and availability at the point of care in resource-limited settings. The universality of this approach can be simply achieved by altering the sequences of the probe DNA for specific targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mengjia Xu
- Cixi Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Pan Fu
- Cixi Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Shu Xing
- Cixi Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China
| | - Yang Zhao
- College of Science and Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315212, P. R. China
| | - Chao Zhao
- Cixi Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, 315201, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Muangkaew P, Vilaivan T. Modulation of DNA and RNA by PNA. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127064. [PMID: 32147357 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acid (PNA), a synthetic DNA mimic that is devoid of the (deoxy)ribose-phosphate backbone yet still perfectly retains the ability to recognize natural nucleic acids in a sequence-specific fashion, can be employed as a tool to modulate gene expressions via several different mechanisms. The unique strength of PNA compared to other oligonucleotide analogs is its ability to bind to nucleic acid targets with secondary structures such as double-stranded and quadruplex DNA as well as RNA. This digest aims to introduce general readers to the advancement in the area of modulation of DNA/RNA functions by PNA, its current status and future research opportunities, with emphasis on recent progress in new targeting modes of structured DNA/RNA by PNA and PNA-mediated gene editing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Penthip Muangkaew
- Organic Synthesis Research Unit, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Tirayut Vilaivan
- Organic Synthesis Research Unit, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Peptide Nucleic Acids and Gene Editing: Perspectives on Structure and Repair. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25030735. [PMID: 32046275 PMCID: PMC7037966 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25030735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Unusual nucleic acid structures are salient triggers of endogenous repair and can occur in sequence-specific contexts. Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) rely on these principles to achieve non-enzymatic gene editing. By forming high-affinity heterotriplex structures within the genome, PNAs have been used to correct multiple human disease-relevant mutations with low off-target effects. Advances in molecular design, chemical modification, and delivery have enabled systemic in vivo application of PNAs resulting in detectable editing in preclinical mouse models. In a model of β-thalassemia, treated animals demonstrated clinically relevant protein restoration and disease phenotype amelioration, suggesting a potential for curative therapeutic application of PNAs to monogenic disorders. This review discusses the rationale and advances of PNA technologies and their application to gene editing with an emphasis on structural biochemistry and repair.
Collapse
|
14
|
Oyaghire SN, Quijano E, Piotrowski-Daspit AS, Saltzman WM, Glazer PM. Poly(Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) Nanoparticle Delivery of Peptide Nucleic Acids In Vivo. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2105:261-281. [PMID: 32088877 PMCID: PMC7199467 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0243-0_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Many important biological applications of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) target nucleic acid binding in eukaryotic cells, which requires PNA translocation across at least one membrane barrier. The delivery challenge is further exacerbated for applications in whole organisms, where clearance mechanisms rapidly deplete and/or deactivate exogenous agents. We have demonstrated that nanoparticles (NPs) composed of biodegradable polymers can encapsulate and release PNAs (alone or with co-reagents) in amounts sufficient to mediate desired effects in vitro and in vivo without deleterious reactions in the recipient cell or organism. For example, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) NPs can encapsulate and deliver PNAs and accompanying reagents to mediate gene editing outcomes in cells and animals, or PNAs alone to target oncogenic drivers in cells and correct cancer phenotypes in animal models. In this chapter, we provide a primer on PNA-induced gene editing and microRNA targeting-the two PNA-based biotechnological applications where NPs have enhanced and/or enabled in vivo demonstrations-as well as an introduction to the PLGA material and detailed protocols for formulation and robust characterization of PNA/DNA-laden PLGA NPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stanley N. Oyaghire
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Elias Quijano
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - W. Mark Saltzman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Peter M. Glazer
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Félix AJ, Ciudad CJ, Noé V. Correction of the aprt Gene Using Repair-Polypurine Reverse Hoogsteen Hairpins in Mammalian Cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2019; 19:683-695. [PMID: 31945727 PMCID: PMC6965513 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2019.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we describe the correction of single-point mutations in mammalian cells by repair-polypurine reverse Hoogsteen hairpins (repair-PPRHs). These molecules consist of (1) a PPRH hairpin core that binds to a polypyrimidine target sequence in the double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), producing a triplex structure, and (2) an extension sequence homologous to the DNA sequence to be repaired but containing the wild-type nucleotide instead of the mutation and acting as a donor DNA to correct the mutation. We repaired different point mutations in the adenosyl phosphoribosyl transferase (aprt) gene contained in different aprt-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines. Because we had previously corrected mutations in the dihydrofolate reductase (dhfr) gene, in this study, we demonstrate the generality of action of the repair-PPRHs. Repaired cells were analyzed by DNA sequencing, mRNA expression, and enzymatic activity to confirm the correction of the mutation. Moreover, whole-genome sequencing analyses did not detect any off-target effect in the repaired genome. We also performed gel-shift assays to show the binding of the repair-PPRH to the target sequence and the formation of a displacement-loop (D-loop) structure that can trigger a homologous recombination event. Overall, we demonstrate that repair-PPRHs achieve the permanent correction of point mutations in the dsDNA at the endogenous level in mammalian cells without off-target activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex J Félix
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology IN2UB, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos J Ciudad
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology IN2UB, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Véronique Noé
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institute for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology IN2UB, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Saarbach J, Sabale PM, Winssinger N. Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) and its applications in chemical biology, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2019; 52:112-124. [PMID: 31541865 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) stands as one of the most successful artificial oligonucleotide mimetics. Salient features include the stability of hybridization complexes (either as duplexes or triplexes), metabolic stability, and ease of chemical modifications. These features have enabled important applications such as antisense agents, gene editing, nucleic acid sensing and as a platform to program the assembly of PNA-tagged molecules. Here, we review recent advances in these areas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacques Saarbach
- Faculty of Science, Department of Organic Chemistry, NCCR Chemical Biology, University of Geneva 30 quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pramod M Sabale
- Faculty of Science, Department of Organic Chemistry, NCCR Chemical Biology, University of Geneva 30 quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Winssinger
- Faculty of Science, Department of Organic Chemistry, NCCR Chemical Biology, University of Geneva 30 quai Ernest Ansermet, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Vogel M, Weigand JE, Kluge B, Grez M, Suess B. A small, portable RNA device for the control of exon skipping in mammalian cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 46:e48. [PMID: 29420816 PMCID: PMC5934650 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2016] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Splicing is an essential and highly regulated process in mammalian cells. We developed a synthetic riboswitch that efficiently controls alternative splicing of a cassette exon in response to the small molecule ligand tetracycline. The riboswitch was designed to control the accessibility of the 3' splice site by placing the latter inside the closing stem of a conformationally controlled tetracycline aptamer. In the presence of tetracycline, the cassette exon is skipped, whereas it is included in the ligand's absence. The design allows for an easy, context-independent integration of the regulatory device into any gene of interest. Portability of the device was shown through its functionality in four different systems: a synthetic minigene, a reporter gene and two endogenous genes. Furthermore, riboswitch functionality to control cellular signaling cascades was demonstrated by using it to specifically induce cell death through the conditionally controlled expression of CD20, which is a target in cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Vogel
- Department of Biology, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Julia E Weigand
- Department of Biology, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Britta Kluge
- Department of Biology, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Manuel Grez
- Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 42-44, 60596 Frankfurt/M, Germany
| | - Beatrix Suess
- Department of Biology, Technical University Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstr. 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Malik S, Oyaghire S, Bahal R. Applications of PNA-laden nanoparticles for hematological disorders. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:1057-1065. [PMID: 30498995 PMCID: PMC11105400 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2979-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Safe and efficient genome editing has been an unmitigated goal for biomedical researchers since its inception. The most prevalent strategy for gene editing is the use of engineered nucleases that induce DNA damage and take advantage of cellular DNA repair machinery. This includes meganucleases, zinc-finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases, and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR/Cas9) systems. However, the clinical viability of these nucleases is marred by their off-target cleavage activity (≥ 50% in RNA-guided endonucleases). In addition, in vivo applications of CRISPR require systemic administration of Cas9 protein, mRNA, or DNA, which presents a significant delivery challenge. The development of nucleic acid probes that can recognize specific double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) regions and activate endogenous DNA repair machinery holds great promise for gene editing applications. Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs), which were introduced more than 25 years ago, are among the most extensively studied oligomeric dsDNA-targeting agents. TFOs bind duplex DNA to create a distorted helical structure, which can stimulate DNA repair and the exchange of a nearby mutated region-otherwise leading to an undesired phenotype-for a short single-stranded donor DNA that contains the corrective nucleotide sequence. Recombination can be induced within several hundred base-pairs of the TFO binding site and has been shown to depend on triplex-induced initiation of the nucleotide excision repair pathway and engagement of the homology-dependent repair pathway. Since TFOs do not possess any direct nuclease activity, their off-target effects are minimal when compared to engineered nucleases. This review comprehensively covers the advances made in peptide nucleic acid-based TFOs for site-specific gene editing and their therapeutic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shipra Malik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Stanley Oyaghire
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Montes M, Sanford BL, Comiskey DF, Chandler DS. RNA Splicing and Disease: Animal Models to Therapies. Trends Genet 2019; 35:68-87. [PMID: 30466729 PMCID: PMC6339821 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alternative splicing of pre-mRNA increases genetic diversity, and recent studies estimate that most human multiexon genes are alternatively spliced. If this process is not highly regulated and accurate, it leads to mis-splicing events, which may result in proteins with altered function. A growing body of work has implicated mis-splicing events in a range of diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and muscular dystrophies. Understanding the mechanisms that cause aberrant splicing events and how this leads to disease is vital for designing effective therapeutic strategies. In this review, we focus on advances in therapies targeting splicing, and highlight the animal models developed to recapitulate disease phenotypes as a model for testing these therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matías Montes
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Graduate Program and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Brianne L Sanford
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Daniel F Comiskey
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Graduate Program and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Dawn S Chandler
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Graduate Program and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Montazersaheb S, Hejazi MS, Nozad Charoudeh H. Potential of Peptide Nucleic Acids in Future Therapeutic Applications. Adv Pharm Bull 2018; 8:551-563. [PMID: 30607328 PMCID: PMC6311635 DOI: 10.15171/apb.2018.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNA) are synthetic analog of DNA with a repeating N-(2-aminoethyl)-glycine peptide backbone connected to purine and pyrimidine nucleobases via a linker. Considering the unique properties of PNA, including resistance to enzymatic digestion, higher biostability combined with great hybridization affinity toward DNA and RNA, it has attracted great attention toward PNA- based technology as a promising approach for gene alteration. However, an important challenge in utilizing PNA is poor intracellular uptake. Therefore, some strategies have been developed to enhance the delivery of PNA in order to reach cognate site. Although PNAs primarily demonstrated to act as an antisense and antigene agents for inhibition of transcription and translation of target genes, more therapeutic applications such as splicing modulation and gene editing are also used to produce specific genome modifications. Hence, several approaches based on PNAs technology have been designed for these purposes. This review briefly presents the properties and characteristics of PNA as well as different gene modulation mechanisms. Thereafter, current status of successful therapeutic applications of PNA as gene therapeutic intervention in different research areas with special interest in medical application in particular, anti-cancer therapy are discussed. Then it focuses on possible use of PNA as anti-mir agent and PNA-based strategies against clinically important bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Soheila Montazersaheb
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saeid Hejazi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Abstract
There have been many attempts to unveil the therapeutic potential of antisense molecules during the last decade. Due to its specific role in canonical Wnt signalling, β-catenin is a potential target for an antisense-based antitumour therapy. In order to establish such a strategy with peptide nucleic acids, we developed a reporter assay for quantification of antisense effects. The luciferase-based assay detects splice blocking with high sensitivity. Using this assay, we show that the splice donor of exon 13 of β-catenin is particularly suitable for an antisense strategy, as it results in a truncated protein which lacks transactivating functions. Since the truncated proteins retain the interactions with Tcf/Lef proteins, they act in a dominant negative fashion competing with wild-type proteins and thus blocking the transcriptional activity of β-catenin. Furthermore, we show that the truncation does not interfere with binding of cadherin and α-catenin, both essential for its function in cell adhesion. Therefore, the antisense strategy blocks Wnt signalling with high efficiency but retains other important functions of β-catenin.
Collapse
|
22
|
Ricciardi AS, Bahal R, Farrelly JS, Quijano E, Bianchi AH, Luks VL, Putman R, López-Giráldez F, Coşkun S, Song E, Liu Y, Hsieh WC, Ly DH, Stitelman DH, Glazer PM, Saltzman WM. In utero nanoparticle delivery for site-specific genome editing. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2481. [PMID: 29946143 PMCID: PMC6018676 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04894-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic diseases can be diagnosed early during pregnancy, but many monogenic disorders continue to cause considerable neonatal and pediatric morbidity and mortality. Early intervention through intrauterine gene editing, however, could correct the genetic defect, potentially allowing for normal organ development, functional disease improvement, or cure. Here we demonstrate safe intravenous and intra-amniotic administration of polymeric nanoparticles to fetal mouse tissues at selected gestational ages with no effect on survival or postnatal growth. In utero introduction of nanoparticles containing peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) and donor DNAs corrects a disease-causing mutation in the β-globin gene in a mouse model of human β-thalassemia, yielding sustained postnatal elevation of blood hemoglobin levels into the normal range, reduced reticulocyte counts, reversal of splenomegaly, and improved survival, with no detected off-target mutations in partially homologous loci. This work may provide the basis for a safe and versatile method of fetal gene editing for human monogenic disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adele S Ricciardi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - James S Farrelly
- Department of Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Elias Quijano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Anthony H Bianchi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Valerie L Luks
- Department of Surgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Rachael Putman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Francesc López-Giráldez
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Yale Center for Genome Analysis (YCGA), Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06477, USA
| | - Süleyman Coşkun
- Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Eric Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Yanfeng Liu
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Wei-Che Hsieh
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology (CNAST), Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, USA
| | - Danith H Ly
- Department of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology (CNAST), Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, USA
| | | | - Peter M Glazer
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA.
| | - W Mark Saltzman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) can bind duplex DNA in a sequence-targeted manner, forming a triplex structure capable of inducing DNA repair and producing specific genome modifications. Since the first description of PNA-mediated gene editing in cell free extracts, PNAs have been used to successfully correct human disease-causing mutations in cell culture and in vivo in preclinical mouse models. Gene correction via PNAs has resulted in clinically-relevant functional protein restoration and disease improvement, with low off-target genome effects, indicating a strong therapeutic potential for PNAs in the treatment or cure of genetic disorders. This review discusses the progress that has been made in developing PNAs as an effective, targeted agent for gene editing, with an emphasis on recent in vivo, nanoparticle-based strategies.
Collapse
|
24
|
D'Souza AD, Belotserkovskii BP, Hanawalt PC. A novel mode for transcription inhibition mediated by PNA-induced R-loops with a model in vitro system. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2018; 1861:158-166. [PMID: 29357316 PMCID: PMC5820110 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The selective inhibition of transcription of a chosen gene by an artificial agent has numerous applications. Usually, these agents are designed to bind a specific nucleotide sequence in the promoter or within the transcribed region of the chosen gene. However, since optimal binding sites might not exist within the gene, it is of interest to explore the possibility of transcription inhibition when the agent is designed to bind at other locations. One of these possibilities arises when an additional transcription initiation site (e.g. secondary promoter) is present upstream from the primary promoter of the target gene. In this case, transcription inhibition might be achieved by inducing the formation of an RNA-DNA hybrid (R-loop) upon transcription from the secondary promoter. The R-loop could extend into the region of the primary promoter, to interfere with promoter recognition by RNA polymerase and thereby inhibit transcription. As a sequence-specific R-loop-inducing agent, a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) could be designed to facilitate R-loop formation by sequestering the non-template DNA strand. To investigate this mode for transcription inhibition, we have employed a model system in which a PNA binding site is localized between the T3 and T7 phage RNA polymerase promoters, which respectively assume the roles of primary and secondary promoters. In accord with our model, we have demonstrated that with PNA-bound DNA substrates, transcription from the T7 promoter reduces transcription from the T3 promoter by 30-fold, while in the absence of PNA binding there is no significant effect of T7 transcription upon T3 transcription.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alicia D D'Souza
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5020, United States
| | | | - Philip C Hanawalt
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5020, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Quijano E, Bahal R, Ricciardi A, Saltzman WM, Glazer PM. Therapeutic Peptide Nucleic Acids: Principles, Limitations, and Opportunities. THE YALE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2017; 90:583-598. [PMID: 29259523 PMCID: PMC5733847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Since their invention in 1991, peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) have been used in a myriad of chemical and biological assays. More recently, peptide nucleic acids have also been demonstrated to hold great potential as therapeutic agents because of their physiological stability, affinity for target nucleic acids, and versatility. While recent modifications in their design have further improved their potency, their preclinical development has reached new heights due to their combination with recent advancements in drug delivery. This review focuses on recent advances in PNA therapeutic applications, in which chemical modifications are made to improve PNA function and nanoparticles are used to enhance PNA delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elias Quijano
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
| | - Adele Ricciardi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - W. Mark Saltzman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| | - Peter M. Glazer
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Zhao H, Gulesserian S, Malinao MC, Ganesan SK, Song J, Chang MS, Williams MM, Zeng Z, Mattie M, Mendelsohn BA, Stover DR, Doñate F. A Potential Mechanism for ADC-Induced Neutropenia: Role of Neutrophils in Their Own Demise. Mol Cancer Ther 2017; 16:1866-1876. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-17-0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
27
|
Solé A, Delagoutte E, Ciudad CJ, Noé V, Alberti P. Polypurine reverse-Hoogsteen (PPRH) oligonucleotides can form triplexes with their target sequences even under conditions where they fold into G-quadruplexes. Sci Rep 2017; 7:39898. [PMID: 28067256 PMCID: PMC5220335 DOI: 10.1038/srep39898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Polypurine reverse-Hoogsteen (PPRH) oligonucleotides are non-modified DNA molecules composed of two mirror-symmetrical polypurine stretches linked by a five-thymidine loop. They can fold into reverse-Hoogsteen hairpins and bind to their polypyrimidine target sequence by Watson-Crick bonds forming a three-stranded structure. They have been successfully used to knockdown gene expression and to repair single-point mutations in cells. In this work, we provide an in vitro characterization (UV and fluorescence spectroscopy, gel electrophoresis and nuclease assays) of the structure and stability of two repair-PPRH oligonucleotides and of the complexes they form with their single-stranded targets. We show that one PPRH oligonucleotide forms a hairpin, while the other folds, in potassium, into a guanine-quadruplex (G4). However, the hairpin-prone oligonucleotide does not form a triplex with its single-stranded target, while the G4-prone oligonucleotide converts from a G4 into a reverse-Hoogsteen hairpin forming a triplex with its target sequence. Our work proves, in particular, that folding of a PPRH oligonucleotide into a G4 does not necessarily impair sequence-specific DNA recognition by triplex formation. It also illustrates an original example of DNA structural conversion of a G4 into a reverse-Hoogsteen hairpin driven by triplex formation; this kind of conversion might occur at particular loci of genomic DNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Solé
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emmanuelle Delagoutte
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos J. Ciudad
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Véronique Noé
- Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patrizia Alberti
- Structure et Instability of Genomes, Sorbonne Universités, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Inserm U 1154, CNRS UMR 7196, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Gupta A, Bahal R, Gupta M, Glazer PM, Saltzman WM. Nanotechnology for delivery of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). J Control Release 2016; 240:302-311. [PMID: 26776051 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Over the past three decades, peptide nucleic acids have been employed in numerous chemical and biological applications. Peptide nucleic acids possess enormous potential because of their superior biophysical properties, compared to other oligonucleotide chemistries. However, for therapeutic applications, intracellular delivery of peptide nucleic acids remains a challenge. In this review, we summarize the progress that has been made in delivering peptide nucleic acids to intracellular targets. In addition, we emphasize recent nanoparticle-based strategies for efficient delivery of conventional and chemically-modified peptides nucleic acids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anisha Gupta
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Meera Gupta
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Peter M Glazer
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - W Mark Saltzman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Bahal R, Gupta A, Glazer PM. Precise Genome Modification Using Triplex Forming Oligonucleotides and Peptide Nucleic Acids. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3509-3_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
|
30
|
Bahal R, Quijano E, McNeer NA, Liu Y, Bhunia DC, Lopez-Giraldez F, Fields RJ, Saltzman WM, Ly DH, Glazer PM. Single-stranded γPNAs for in vivo site-specific genome editing via Watson-Crick recognition. Curr Gene Ther 2015; 14:331-42. [PMID: 25174576 DOI: 10.2174/1566523214666140825154158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2014] [Revised: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Triplex-forming peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) facilitate gene editing by stimulating recombination of donor DNAs within genomic DNA via site-specific formation of altered helical structures that further stimulate DNA repair. However, PNAs designed for triplex formation are sequence restricted to homopurine sites. Herein we describe a novel strategy where next generation single-stranded gamma PNAs (γPNAs) containing miniPEG substitutions at the gamma position can target genomic DNA in mouse bone marrow at mixed-sequence sites to induce targeted gene editing. In addition to enhanced binding, γPNAs confer increased solubility and improved formulation into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles for efficient intracellular delivery. Single-stranded γPNAs induce targeted gene editing at frequencies of 0.8% in mouse bone marrow cells treated ex vivo and 0.1% in vivo via IV injection, without detectable toxicity. These results suggest that γPNAs may provide a new tool for induced gene editing based on Watson-Crick recognition without sequence restriction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Peter M Glazer
- Yale School of Medicine, Dept. of Therapeutic Radiology, P.O. Box 208040, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8040, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
McNeer NA, Anandalingam K, Fields RJ, Caputo C, Kopic S, Gupta A, Quijano E, Polikoff L, Kong Y, Bahal R, Geibel JP, Glazer PM, Saltzman WM, Egan ME. Nanoparticles that deliver triplex-forming peptide nucleic acid molecules correct F508del CFTR in airway epithelium. Nat Commun 2015; 6:6952. [PMID: 25914116 PMCID: PMC4480796 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms7952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lethal genetic disorder most commonly caused by the F508del mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. It is not readily amenable to gene therapy because of its systemic nature and challenges including in vivo gene delivery and transient gene expression. Here, we use triplex-forming PNA molecules and donor DNA in biodegradable polymer nanoparticles to correct F508del. We confirm modification with sequencing and a functional chloride efflux assay. In vitro correction of chloride efflux occurs in up to 25% of human cells. Deep sequencing reveals negligible off-target effects in partially homologous sites. Intranasal application of nanoparticles in CF mice produces changes in nasal epithelium potential differences consistent with corrected CFTR, with gene correction also detected in lung tissue. This work represents facile genome engineering in vivo with oligonucleotides using a nanoparticle system to achieve clinically relevant levels of gene editing without off-target effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Ali McNeer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - Kavitha Anandalingam
- 1] Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA [2] Yale College, Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - Rachel J Fields
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - Christina Caputo
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
| | - Sascha Kopic
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
| | - Anisha Gupta
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
| | - Elias Quijano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - Lee Polikoff
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
| | - Yong Kong
- 1] Yale Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA [2] Yale University, Department of Bioinformatics, W.M Keck Foundation Biotechnology Resource Laboratory, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, USA
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
| | - John P Geibel
- 1] Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA [2] Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
| | - Peter M Glazer
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology and Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
| | - W Mark Saltzman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA
| | - Marie E Egan
- 1] Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA [2] Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Abstract
Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) are capable of coordinating genome modification in a targeted, site-specific manner, causing mutagenesis or even coordinating homologous recombination events. Here, we describe the use of TFOs such as peptide nucleic acids for targeted genome modification. We discuss this method and its applications and describe protocols for TFO design, delivery, and evaluation of activity in vitro and in vivo.
Collapse
|
33
|
Reza F, Glazer PM. Therapeutic genome mutagenesis using synthetic donor DNA and triplex-forming molecules. Methods Mol Biol 2015; 1239:39-73. [PMID: 25408401 PMCID: PMC6608751 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1862-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Genome mutagenesis can be achieved in a variety of ways, though a select few are suitable for therapeutic settings. Among them, the harnessing of intracellular homologous recombination affords the safety and efficacy profile suitable for such settings. Recombinagenic donor DNA and mutagenic triplex-forming molecules co-opt this natural recombination phenomenon to enable the specific, heritable editing and targeting of the genome. Editing the genome is achieved by designing the sequence-specific recombinagenic donor DNA to have base mismatches, insertions, and deletions that will be incorporated into the genome when it is used as a template for recombination. Targeting the genome is similarly achieved by designing the sequence-specific mutagenic triplex-forming molecules to further recruit the recombination machinery thereby upregulating its activity with the recombinagenic donor DNA. This combination of extracellularly introduced, designed synthetic molecules and intercellularly ubiquitous, evolved natural machinery enables the mutagenesis of chromosomes and engineering of whole genomes with great fidelity while limiting nonspecific interactions. Herein, we demonstrate the harnessing of recombinagenic donor DNA and mutagenic triplex-forming molecular technology for potential therapeutic applications. These demonstrations involve, among others, utilizing this technology to correct genes so that they become physiologically functional, to induce dormant yet functional genes in place of non-functional counterparts, to place induced genes under regulatory elements, and to disrupt genes to abrogate a cellular vulnerability. Ancillary demonstrations of the design and synthesis of this recombinagenic and mutagenic molecular technology as well as their delivery and assayed interaction with duplex DNA reveal a potent technological platform for engineering specific changes into the living genome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Reza
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520-8040, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Solé A, Villalobos X, Ciudad CJ, Noé V. Repair of single-point mutations by polypurine reverse Hoogsteen hairpins. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2014; 25:288-302. [PMID: 25222154 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2014.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Polypurine reverse Hoogsteen hairpins (PPRHs) are formed by two intramolecularly bound antiparallel homopurine domains linked by a five-thymidine loop. One of the homopurine strands binds with antiparallel orientation by Watson-Crick bonds to the polypyrimidine target sequence, forming a triplex. We had previously reported the ability of PPRHs to effectively bind dsDNA displacing the fourth strand away from the newly formed triplex. The main goal of this work was to explore the possibility of repairing a point mutation in mammalian cells using PPRHs as tools. These repair-PPRHs contain different combinations of extended sequences of DNA with the corrected nucleotide to repair the point mutation. As a model we used the dihydrofolate reductase gene. On the one hand, we demonstrate in vitro that PPRHs bind specifically to their polypyrimidine target sequence, opening the two strands of the dsDNA, and allowing the binding of a given repair oligonucleotide to the displaced strand of the DNA. Subsequently, we show at a cellular level (Chinese ovary hamster cells) that repair-PPRHs are able to correct a single-point mutation in a dihydrofolate reductase minigene bearing a nonsense mutation, both in an extrachromosomal location and when the mutated plasmid was stably transfected into the cells. Finally, this methodology was successfully applied to repair a single-point mutation at the endogenous locus, using the DA5 cell line with a deleted nucleotide in exon six of the dhfr gene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anna Solé
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona , E08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Schleifman EB, Glazer PM. Peptide nucleic acid-mediated recombination for targeted genomic repair and modification. Methods Mol Biol 2014; 1050:207-22. [PMID: 24297362 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-553-8_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The ability to directly manipulate the human genome to correct a disease-related mutation, introduce a sequence change that would lead to site-specific gene knockout, or increase gene expression is a very powerful tool with tremendous clinical value. Triplex formation by synthetic DNA-binding molecules such as peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) has been studied for over 20 years and much of the work in the last 10 years has shown its great promise in its use to direct site-specific gene modification for the use in gene therapy. In this chapter, detailed protocols are described for the design and use of triplex-forming PNAs to bind and mediate gene modification at specific chromosomal targets. Target site identification, PNA and donor oligonucleotide design, in vitro characterization of binding, optimization with reporter systems, as well as various methods to assess gene modification and isolate modified cells are described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erica B Schleifman
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Abstract
β-thalassemia is an inherited disorder due to mutations found in the β-globin gene, leading to anemia and requiring sporadic or chronic blood transfusions for survival. Without proper chelation, β-thalassemia results in iron overload. Ineffective erythropoiesis can lead to iron overload even in untransfused patients who are affected by β-thalassemia intermedia. Better understanding of the molecular biologic aspects of this disorder has led to improvements in population screening and prenatal diagnosis, which, in turn, have led to dramatic reductions in the number of children born with β-thalassemia major in the Mediterranean littoral. However, as a consequence of decreases in neonatal and childhood mortality in other geographical areas, β-thalassemia has become a worldwide clinical problem. A number of unsolved pathophysiological issues remain, such as ineffective erythropoieis, abnormal iron absorption, oxidative stress, splenomegaly and thrombosis. In the last few years, novel studies have the potential to introduce new therapeutic approaches that might reduce these problems and limit the need for blood transfusion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Rivella
- Weill College Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology, Oncology, 515 E 71st Street, S702, New York, NY 10021, USA, Tel.: +1 212 746 4941, ,
| | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Gambari R. Peptide nucleic acids: a review on recent patents and technology transfer. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2014; 24:267-94. [PMID: 24405414 DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2014.863874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION DNA/RNA-based drugs are considered of major interest in molecular diagnosis and nonviral gene therapy. In this field, peptide nucleic acids (PNAs, DNA analogs in which the sugar-phosphate backbone is replaced by N-(2-aminoethyl)glycine units or similar building blocks) have been demonstrated to be excellent candidates as diagnostic reagents and biodrugs. AREAS COVERED Recent (2002 - 2013) patents based on studies on development of PNA analogs, delivery systems for PNAs, applications of PNAs in molecular diagnosis, and use of PNA for innovative therapeutic protocols. EXPERT OPINION PNAs are unique reagents in molecular diagnosis and have been proven to be very active and specific for alteration of gene expression, despite the fact that solubility and uptake by target cells can be limiting factors. Accordingly, patents on PNAs have taken in great consideration delivery strategies. PNAs have been proven stable and effective in vivo, despite the fact that possible long-term toxicity should be considered. For possible clinical applications, the use of PNA molecules in combination with drugs already employed in therapy has been suggested. Considering the patents available and the results on in vivo testing on animal models, we expect in the near future relevant PNA-based clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Gambari
- University of Ferrara, Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Section , Via Fossato di Mortara n.74, 44100 Ferrara , Italy +39 532 974443 ; +39 532 974500 ;
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Abstract
Genome targeting and editing in vitro and in vivo can be achieved through an interplay of exogenously introduced molecules and the induction of endogenous recombination machinery. The former includes a repertoire of sequence-specific binding molecules for targeted induction and appropriation of this machinery, such as by triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) or triplex-forming peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) and recombinagenic donor DNA, respectively. This versatile targeting and editing via recombination approach facilitates high-fidelity and low-off-target genome mutagenesis, repair, expression, and regulation. Herein, we describe the current state-of-the-art in triplex-mediated genome targeting and editing with a perspective towards potential translational and therapeutic applications. We detail several materials and methods for the design, delivery, and use of triplex-forming and recombinagenic molecules for mediating and introducing specific, heritable, and safe genomic modifications. Furthermore we denote some guidelines for endogenous genome targeting and editing site identification and techniques to test targeting and editing efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Faisal Reza
- Departments of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Buske FA, Bauer DC, Mattick JS, Bailey TL. Triplex-Inspector: an analysis tool for triplex-mediated targeting of genomic loci. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 29:1895-7. [PMID: 23740745 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btt315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY At the heart of many modern biotechnological and therapeutic applications lies the need to target specific genomic loci with pinpoint accuracy. Although landmark experiments demonstrate technological maturity in manufacturing and delivering genetic material, the genomic sequence analysis to find suitable targets lags behind. We provide a computational aid for the sophisticated design of sequence-specific ligands and selection of appropriate targets, taking gene location and genomic architecture into account. AVAILABILITY Source code and binaries are downloadable from www.bioinformatics.org.au/triplexator/inspector. CONTACT t.bailey@uq.edu.au SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabian A Buske
- Division of Genomics and Computational Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Thomas SM, Sahu B, Rapireddy S, Bahal R, Wheeler SE, Procopio EM, Kim J, Joyce SC, Contrucci S, Wang Y, Chiosea SI, Lathrop KL, Watkins S, Grandis JR, Armitage BA, Ly DH. Antitumor effects of EGFR antisense guanidine-based peptide nucleic acids in cancer models. ACS Chem Biol 2013; 8:345-52. [PMID: 23113581 DOI: 10.1021/cb3003946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids have emerged over the past two decades as a promising class of nucleic acid mimics because of their strong binding affinity and sequence selectivity toward DNA and RNA, and resistance to enzymatic degradation by proteases and nucleases. While they have been shown to be effective in regulation of gene expression in vitro, and to a small extent in vivo, their full potential for molecular therapy has not yet been fully realized due to poor cellular uptake. Herein, we report the development of cell-permeable, guanidine-based peptide nucleic acids targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in preclinical models as therapeutic modality for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A GPNA oligomer, 16 nucleotides in length, designed to bind to EGFR gene transcript elicited potent antisense effects in HNSCC and NSCLC cells in preclinical models. When administered intraperitoneally in mice, EGFRAS-GPNA was taken-up by several tissues including the xenograft tumor. Systemic administration of EGFRAS-GPNA induced antitumor effects in HNSCC xenografts, with similar efficacies as the FDA-approved EGFR inhibitors: cetuximab and erlotinib. In addition to targeting wild-type EGFR, EGFRAS-GPNA is effective against the constitutively active EGFR vIII mutant implicated in cetuximab resistance. Our data reveals that GPNA is just as effective as a molecular platform for treating cetuximab resistant cells, demonstrating its utility in the treatment of cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Bichismita Sahu
- Department
of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology (CNAST), Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Srinivas Rapireddy
- Department
of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology (CNAST), Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Raman Bahal
- Department
of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology (CNAST), Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bruce A. Armitage
- Department
of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology (CNAST), Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Danith H. Ly
- Department
of Chemistry and Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology (CNAST), Carnegie Mellon University, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Chin JY, Reza F, Glazer PM. Triplex-forming peptide nucleic acids induce heritable elevations in gamma-globin expression in hematopoietic progenitor cells. Mol Ther 2013; 21:580-7. [PMID: 23337982 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2012.262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Potentiating homologous recombination using triplex-forming peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) can be used to mediate targeted sequence editing by donor DNAs and thereby induce functional gene expression to supplant non-functional counterparts. Mutations that disrupt the normal function of the β-globin subunit cause hemoglobinopathies such as sickle cell disease and β-thalassemias. However, expression of the functional γ-globin subunit in adults, a benign condition called hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH), can ameliorate the severity of these disorders, but this expression is normally silenced. Here, we harness triplex-forming PNA-induced donor DNA recombination to create HPFH mutations that increase the expression of γ-globin in adult mammalian cells, including β-yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) bone marrow and hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs). Transfection of human cells led to site-specific modification frequencies of 1.63% using triplex-forming PNA γ-194-3K in conjunction with donor DNAs, compared with 0.29% using donor DNAs alone. We also concurrently modified the γ-globin promoter to insert both HPFH-associated point mutations and a hypoxia-responsive element (HRE), conferring increased expression that was also regulated by oxygen tension. This work demonstrates application of oligonucleotide-based gene therapy to induce a quiescent gene promoter in mammalian cells and regulate its expression via an introduced HRE transcription factor binding site for potential therapeutic purposes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Y Chin
- Department of Therapeutic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Cazzola M, Rossi M, Malcovati L. Biologic and clinical significance of somatic mutations of SF3B1 in myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms. Blood 2013; 121:260-9. [PMID: 23160465 PMCID: PMC3790951 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2012-09-399725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2012] [Accepted: 10/31/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Precursor mRNA splicing is catalyzed by the spliceosome, a macromolecule composed of small nuclear RNAs associated with proteins. The SF3B1 gene encodes subunit 1 of the splicing factor 3b, which is important for anchoring the spliceosome to precursor mRNA. In 2011, whole-exome sequencing studies showed recurrent somatic mutations of SF3B1 and other genes of the RNA splicing machinery in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome or myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm. SF3B1 mutations had a particularly high frequency among conditions characterized by ring sideroblasts, which is consistent with a causal relationship. SF3B1 mutants were also detected at a lower frequency in a variety of other tumor types. In chronic lymphocytic leukemia, SF3B1 was found to be the second most frequently mutated gene. In myelodysplastic syndromes, SF3B1 mutations appear to be founding genetic lesions and are associated with a low risk of leukemic evolution. In contrast, SF3B1 mutations have a lower incidence in early stages of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, are more common in advanced disease, and tend to be associated with poor prognosis, suggesting that they occur during clonal evolution of the disease. The assessment of SF3B1 mutation status may become innovative diagnostic and prognostic tools and the availability of spliceosome modulators opens novel therapeutic prospects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario Cazzola
- Department of Hematology Oncology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
McNeer NA, Schleifman EB, Cuthbert A, Brehm M, Jackson A, Cheng C, Anandalingam K, Kumar P, Shultz LD, Greiner DL, Mark Saltzman W, Glazer PM. Systemic delivery of triplex-forming PNA and donor DNA by nanoparticles mediates site-specific genome editing of human hematopoietic cells in vivo. Gene Ther 2012; 20:658-69. [PMID: 23076379 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2012.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In vivo delivery is a major barrier to the use of molecular tools for gene modification. Here we demonstrate site-specific gene editing of human cells in vivo in hematopoietic stem cell-engrafted NOD.Cg-Prkdc(scid)IL2rγ(tm1Wjl) (abbreviated NOD-scid IL2rγ(null)) mice, using biodegradable nanoparticles loaded with triplex-forming peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) and single-stranded donor DNA molecules. In vitro screening showed greater efficacy of nanoparticles containing PNAs/DNAs together over PNA-alone or DNA-alone. Intravenous injection of particles containing PNAs/DNAs produced modification of the human CCR5 gene in hematolymphoid cells in the mice, with modification confirmed at the genomic DNA, mRNA and functional levels. Deep sequencing revealed in vivo modification of the CCR5 gene at frequencies of 0.43% in hematopoietic cells in the spleen and 0.05% in the bone marrow: off-target modification in the partially homologous CCR2 gene was two orders of magnitude lower. We also induced specific modification in the β-globin gene using nanoparticles carrying β-globin-targeted PNAs/DNAs, demonstrating this method's versatility. In vivo testing in an enhanced green fluorescent protein-β-globin reporter mouse showed greater activity of nanoparticles containing PNAs/DNAs together over DNA only. Direct in vivo gene modification, such as we demonstrate here, would allow for gene therapy in systemic diseases or in cells that cannot be manipulated ex vivo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N A McNeer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8040, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Raja JV, Rachchh MA, Gokani RH. Recent advances in gene therapy for thalassemia. J Pharm Bioallied Sci 2012; 4:194-201. [PMID: 22923960 PMCID: PMC3425167 DOI: 10.4103/0975-7406.99020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2011] [Revised: 10/20/2011] [Accepted: 12/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Thalassemias are genetically transmitted disorders. Depending upon whether the genetic defects or deletion lies in transmission of α or β globin chain gene, thalassemias are classified into α and β-thalassemias. Thus, thalassemias could be cured by introducing or correcting a gene into the hematopoietic compartment or a single stem cell. Initial attempts at gene transfer have proved unsuccessful due to limitations of available gene transfer vectors. The present review described the newer approaches to overcome these limitations, includes the introduction of lentiviral vectors. New approaches have also focused on targeting the specific mutation in the globin genes, correcting the DNA sequence or manipulating the development in DNA translocation and splicing to restore globin chain synthesis. This review mainly discusses the gene therapy strategies for the thalassemias, including the use of lentiviral vectors, generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells, gene targeting, splice-switching and stop codon readthrough.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J V Raja
- Department of Pharmacology, S. J. Thakkar Pharmacy College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Abstract
Epidermal keratinocytes are particularly suitable candidates for in situ gene correction. Intraperitoneal administration of a triplex-forming oligonucleotide (TFO) was shown previously to introduce DNA base changes in a reporter gene in skin, without identifying which cells had been targeted. We extend those previous experiments using two triplex-forming molecules (TFMs), a peptide nucleic acid (PNA-Antp) and a TFO (AG30), and two lines of transgenic mice that have the chromosomally integrated λsupFG1 shuttle-reporter transgene. Successful in vivo genomic modification occurs in epidermis and dermis in CD1 transgenic mice following either intraperitoneal or intradermal delivery of the PNA-Antennapedia conjugate. FITC-PNA-Antp accumulates in nuclei of keratinocytes and, after intradermal delivery of the PNA-Antp, chromosomally modified, keratin 5 positive basal keratinocytes persist for at least 10 days. In hairless (SKH1) mice with the λsupFG1 transgene, intradermal delivery of the TFO, AG30, introduces gene modifications in both tail and back skin and those chromosomal modifications persist in basal keratinocytes for 10 days. Hairless mice should facilitate comparison of various targeting agents and methods of delivery. Gene targeting by repeated local administration of oligonucleotides may prove clinically useful for judiciously selected disease-causing genes in the epidermis.
Collapse
|
46
|
Gambari R. Alternative options for DNA-based experimental therapy of β-thalassemia. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2012; 12:443-62. [PMID: 22413823 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2012.665047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Beta-thalassemias are caused by more than 200 mutations of the β-globin gene, leading to low or absent production of adult hemoglobin. Achievements have been made with innovative therapeutic strategies for β-thalassemias, based on research conducted at the levels of gene structure, transcription, mRNA processing and protein synthesis. AREAS COVERED The objective of this review is to describe the development of therapeutic strategies employing viral and non-viral DNA-based approaches for treatment of β-thalassemia. EXPERT OPINION Modification of β-globin gene expression in β-thalassemia cells has been achieved by gene therapy, correction of the mutated β-globin gene and RNA repair. In addition, cellular therapy has been proposed for β-thalassemia, including reprogramming of somatic cells to generate induced pluripotent stem cells to be genetically corrected. Based on the concept that increased production of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) is beneficial in β-thalassemia, DNA-based approaches to increase HbF production have been optimized, including treatment of target cells with lentiviral vectors carrying γ-globin genes. Finally, DNA-based targeting of α-globin gene expression has been applied to reduce the excess of α-globin production by β-thalassemia cells, one of the major causes of the clinical phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Gambari
- University of Ferrara, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BioPharmaNet and Laboratory for the Development of Gene and Pharmacogenomic Therapy of Thalassaemia, Ferrara, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Manicardi A, Fabbri E, Tedeschi T, Sforza S, Bianchi N, Brognara E, Gambari R, Marchelli R, Corradini R. Cellular uptakes, biostabilities and anti-miR-210 activities of chiral arginine-PNAs in leukaemic K562 cells. Chembiochem 2012; 13:1327-37. [PMID: 22639449 PMCID: PMC3401907 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201100745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A series of 18-mer peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) targeted against micro-RNA miR-210 was synthesised and tested in a cellular system. Unmodified PNAs, R8-conjugated PNAs and modified PNAs containing eight arginine residues on the backbone, either as C2-modified (R) or C5-modified (S) monomers, all with the same sequence, were compared. Two different models were used for the modified PNAs: one with alternated chiral and achiral monomers and one with a stretch of chiral monomers at the N terminus. The melting temperatures of these derivatives were found to be extremely high and 5 m urea was used to assess differences between the different structures. FACS analysis and qRT-PCR on K562 chronic myelogenous leukaemic cells indicated that arginine-conjugated and backbone-modified PNAs display good cellular uptake, with best performances for the C2-modified series. Resistance to enzymatic degradation was found to be higher for the backbone-modified PNAs, thus enhancing the advantage of using these derivatives rather than conjugated PNAs in the cells in serum, and this effect is magnified in the presence of peptidases such as trypsin. Inhibition of miR-210 activity led to changes in the erythroid differentiation pathway, which were more evident in mithramycin-treated cells. Interestingly, the anti-miR activities differed with use of different PNAs, thus suggesting a role of the substituents not only in the cellular uptake, but also in the mechanism of miR recognition and inactivation. This is the first report relating to the use of backbone-modified PNAs as anti-miR agents. The results clearly indicate that backbone-modified PNAs are good candidates for the development of very efficient drugs based on anti-miR activity, due to their enhanced bioavailabilities, and that overall anti-miR performance is a combination of cellular uptake and RNA binding.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex Manicardi
- Dipartimento di Chimica Organica e Industriale, Università di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Abstract
Many devastating human diseases are caused by mutations in a single gene that prevent a somatic cell from carrying out its essential functions, or by genetic changes acquired as a result of infectious disease or in the course of cell transformation. Targeted gene therapies have emerged as potential strategies for treatment of such diseases. These therapies depend upon rare-cutting endonucleases to cleave at specific sites in or near disease genes. Targeted gene correction provides a template for homology-directed repair, enabling the cell's own repair pathways to erase the mutation and replace it with the correct sequence. Targeted gene disruption ablates the disease gene, disabling its function. Gene targeting can also promote other kinds of genome engineering, including mutation, insertion, or gene deletion. Targeted gene therapies present significant advantages compared to approaches to gene therapy that depend upon delivery of stably expressing transgenes. Recent progress has been fueled by advances in nuclease discovery and design, and by new strategies that maximize efficiency of targeting and minimize off-target damage. Future progress will build on deeper mechanistic understanding of critical factors and pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olivier Humbert
- Departments of Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Noguchi E, Shigi N, Komiyama M. Intracellular Localization of PNA in Human Cells upon its Introduction by Electroporation. Nat Prod Commun 2012. [DOI: 10.1177/1934578x1200700316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is one of the most useful DNA analogs in a wide variety of gene analysis in human cells. In order to exhibit its maximal functions, PNA must be localized to a desired place (e.g., nucleus, cytoplasm and other organelles). Here, we introduced PNAs into HeLa cells by electroporation and examined their localization at various time points. The PNA which binds to the mitochondrial COII gene was initially accumulated in the nucleus, and thereafter mostly transferred to cytoplasm. This time-dependent intracellular localization of PNA is ascribed to the breakdown of the nuclear envelope in the cell division. On the other hand, another PNA that binds to telomere repeat sequence mostly remained in the nucleus, even after the cell division occurred. The retention of this PNA in the nucleus was further enhanced when it was conjugated with Cy3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eri Noguchi
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo,4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan 153-8904
| | - Narumi Shigi
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo,4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan 153-8904
| | - Makoto Komiyama
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo,4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan 153-8904
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Schleifman EB, Bindra R, Leif J, del Campo J, Rogers FA, Uchil P, Kutsch O, Shultz LD, Kumar P, Greiner DL, Glazer PM. Targeted disruption of the CCR5 gene in human hematopoietic stem cells stimulated by peptide nucleic acids. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 18:1189-98. [PMID: 21944757 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2011.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2010] [Revised: 07/06/2011] [Accepted: 07/08/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) bind duplex DNA in a sequence-specific manner, creating triplex structures that can provoke DNA repair and produce genome modification. CCR5 encodes a chemokine receptor required for HIV-1 entry into human cells, and individuals carrying mutations in this gene are resistant to HIV-1 infection. Transfection of human cells with PNAs targeted to the CCR5 gene, plus donor DNAs designed to introduce stop codons mimicking the naturally occurring CCR5-delta32 mutation, produced 2.46% targeted gene modification. CCR5 modification was confirmed at the DNA, RNA, and protein levels and was shown to confer resistance to infection with HIV-1. Targeting of CCR5 was achieved in human CD34(+) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with subsequent engraftment into mice and persistence of the gene modification more than four months posttransplantation. This work suggests a therapeutic strategy for CCR5 knockout in HSCs from HIV-1-infected individuals, rendering cells resistant to HIV-1 and preserving immune system function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erica B Schleifman
- Departments of Therapeutic Radiology and Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|