1
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Li Q, Dong M, Chen P. Advances in structural-guided modifications of siRNA. Bioorg Med Chem 2024; 110:117825. [PMID: 38954918 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2024.117825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
To date, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved six small interfering RNA (siRNA) drugs: patisiran, givosiran, lumasiran, inclisiran, vutrisiran, and nedosiran, serving as compelling evidence of the promising potential of RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics. The successful implementation of siRNA therapeutics is improved through a combination of various chemical modifications and diverse delivery approaches. The utilization of chemically modified siRNA at specific sites on either the sense strand (SS) or antisense strand (AS) has the potential to enhance resistance to ribozyme degradation, improve stability and specificity, and prolong the efficacy of drugs. Herein, we provide comprehensive analyses concerning the correlation between chemical modifications and structure-guided siRNA design. Various modifications, such as 2'-modifications, 2',4'-dual modifications, non-canonical sugar modifications, and phosphonate mimics, are crucial for the activity of siRNA. We also emphasize the essential strategies for enhancing overhang stability, improving RISC loading efficacy and strand selection, reducing off-target effects, and discussing the future of targeted delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China; Research and Development Department, NanoPeptide (Qingdao) Biotechnology Ltd., Qingdao, China.
| | - Mingxin Dong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China.
| | - Pu Chen
- Research and Development Department, NanoPeptide (Qingdao) Biotechnology Ltd., Qingdao, China; Department of Chemical Engineering and Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
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2
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Chen X, Xie L, Zhang C, Tian S, Tang Z, Tian W, Lu P, Yang X. A Convenient Method for the Synthesis of 2'-O-Cyanoethylated Nucleotides and Their Application in the Solid-Phase Synthesis of Related RNA Analogs. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e923. [PMID: 37962485 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Although small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a key player among gene inhibition therapeutics, there are many obstacles to the development of siRNA drugs due to inherent properties of oligonucleotides, including the unsatisfactory stability of unmodified siRNA, poor pharmacokinetic distribution, and the toxicity induced by off-target effects. To maximize treatment potency, chemical modification of siRNA has undoubtedly been the most successful strategy by far. Widely applied modifications include phosphorothioate linkages, 2'-O-methyl modifications, and 2'-fluoro modifications, among others. To extend the family of chemical modifications for oligonucleotides, 2'-O-cyanoethylated RNA analogs were developed through the replacement of the 2'-hydroxyl group with a 2'-O-cyanoethyl group (-OCH2 CH2 CN). This modification can provide several advantages over unmodified RNA, such as increased stability, improved binding affinity to complementary DNA or RNA strands, and resistance to degradation by cellular nucleases. The 2'-O-cyanoethyl-modified RNAs not only are applied in RNA silencing machinery but also act as research tools for studying RNA structure and function or for developing RNA-based diagnostics. Therefore, the efficient synthesis, deprotection, purification, and characterization of 2'-O-cyanoethylated RNAs deserves more attention. This protocol describes the chemical synthesis of 2'-O-cyanoethylated nucleotides and the solid-phase synthesis, deprotection, and purification of 2'-O-cyanoethylated RNAs. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Preparation of 6-N-dimethylformamidyl-5'-O-dimethoxytrityl-2'-O-cyanoethyl adenosine 3'-(2-cyanoethyl N,N-diisopropyl)phosphoramidite Basic Protocol 2: Preparation of 4-N-acetyl-5'-O-dimethoxytrityl-2'-O-cyanoethyl cytidine 3'-(2-cyanoethyl N,N-diisopropyl)phosphoramidite Basic Protocol 3: Preparation of 2-N-dimethylformamidyl-5'-O-dimethoxytrityl-2'-O-cyanoethyl guanine 3'-(2-cyanoethyl N,N-diisopropyl)phosphoramidite Basic Protocol 4: Preparation of 5'-O-dimethoxytrityl-2'-O-2-cyanoethyl uridine 3'-(2-cyanoethyl N,N-diisopropyl)phosphoramidite Basic Protocol 5: Solid-phase synthesis of 2'-O-cyanoethylated RNA analogs Basic Protocol 6: Deprotection and purification of synthesized 2'-O-cyanoethyl-RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Chen
- Sirnaomics Ltd. Suzhou, Suzhou, China
| | - Long Xie
- Sirnaomics Ltd. Suzhou, Suzhou, China
| | | | - Shen Tian
- Sirnaomics Ltd. Suzhou, Suzhou, China
| | - Zeyu Tang
- Sirnaomics Ltd. Suzhou, Suzhou, China
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3
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Ali Zaidi SS, Fatima F, Ali Zaidi SA, Zhou D, Deng W, Liu S. Engineering siRNA therapeutics: challenges and strategies. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:381. [PMID: 37848888 PMCID: PMC10583313 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02147-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a potential method of gene silencing to target specific genes. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved multiple siRNA-based therapeutics, many biological barriers limit their use for treating diseases. Such limitations include challenges concerning systemic or local administration, short half-life, rapid clearance rates, nonspecific binding, cell membrane penetration inability, ineffective endosomal escape, pH sensitivity, endonuclease degradation, immunological responses, and intracellular trafficking. To overcome these barriers, various strategies have been developed to stabilize siRNA, ensuring their delivery to the target site. Chemical modifications implemented with nucleotides or the phosphate backbone can reduce off-target binding and immune stimulation. Encapsulation or formulation can protect siRNA from endonuclease degradation and enhance cellular uptake while promoting endosomal escape. Additionally, various techniques such as viral vectors, aptamers, cell-penetrating peptides, liposomes, and polymers have been developed for delivering siRNA, greatly improving their bioavailability and therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Saqib Ali Zaidi
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Faria Fatima
- College of Medical Technology, Ziauddin University, Karachi, 74700, Pakistan
| | - Syed Aqib Ali Zaidi
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Dezhong Zhou
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China.
| | - Wuquan Deng
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chongqing Diabetic Foot Medical Research Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, 400014, China.
| | - Shuai Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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4
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Matsuda S, Bala S, Liao JY, Datta D, Mikami A, Woods L, Harp JM, Gilbert JA, Bisbe A, Manoharan RM, Kim M, Theile CS, Guenther DC, Jiang Y, Agarwal S, Maganti R, Schlegel MK, Zlatev I, Charisse K, Rajeev KG, Castoreno A, Maier M, Janas MM, Egli M, Chaput JC, Manoharan M. Shorter Is Better: The α-(l)-Threofuranosyl Nucleic Acid Modification Improves Stability, Potency, Safety, and Ago2 Binding and Mitigates Off-Target Effects of Small Interfering RNAs. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:19691-19706. [PMID: 37638886 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c04744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Chemical modifications are necessary to ensure the metabolic stability and efficacy of oligonucleotide-based therapeutics. Here, we describe analyses of the α-(l)-threofuranosyl nucleic acid (TNA) modification, which has a shorter 3'-2' internucleotide linkage than the natural DNA and RNA, in the context of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). The TNA modification enhanced nuclease resistance more than 2'-O-methyl or 2'-fluoro ribose modifications. TNA-containing siRNAs were prepared as triantennary N-acetylgalactosamine conjugates and were tested in cultured cells and mice. With the exceptions of position 2 of the antisense strand and position 11 of the sense strand, the TNA modification did not inhibit the activity of the RNA interference machinery. In a rat toxicology study, TNA placed at position 7 of the antisense strand of the siRNA mitigated off-target effects, likely due to the decrease in the thermodynamic binding affinity relative to the 2'-O-methyl residue. Analysis of the crystal structure of an RNA octamer with a single TNA on each strand showed that the tetrose sugar adopts a C4'-exo pucker. Computational models of siRNA antisense strands containing TNA bound to Argonaute 2 suggest that TNA is well accommodated in the region kinked by the enzyme. The combined data indicate that the TNA nucleotides are promising modifications expected to increase the potency, duration of action, and safety of siRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigeo Matsuda
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Saikat Bala
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3958, United States
| | - Jen-Yu Liao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3958, United States
| | - Dhrubajyoti Datta
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Atsushi Mikami
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Lauren Woods
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Joel M Harp
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - Jason A Gilbert
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Anna Bisbe
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Rajar M Manoharan
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - MaryBeth Kim
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Christopher S Theile
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Dale C Guenther
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Yongfeng Jiang
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Saket Agarwal
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Rajanikanth Maganti
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Mark K Schlegel
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Ivan Zlatev
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Klaus Charisse
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | | | - Adam Castoreno
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Martin Maier
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Maja M Janas
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Martin Egli
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-0146, United States
| | - John C Chaput
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-3958, United States
| | - Muthiah Manoharan
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
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5
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Kawamoto Y, Wu Y, Takahashi Y, Takakura Y. Development of nucleic acid medicines based on chemical technology. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2023; 199:114872. [PMID: 37244354 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.114872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Oligonucleotide-based therapeutics have attracted attention as an emerging modality that includes the modulation of genes and their binding proteins related to diseases, allowing us to take action on previously undruggable targets. Since the late 2010s, the number of oligonucleotide medicines approved for clinical uses has dramatically increased. Various chemistry-based technologies have been developed to improve the therapeutic properties of oligonucleotides, such as chemical modification, conjugation, and nanoparticle formation, which can increase nuclease resistance, enhance affinity and selectivity to target sites, suppress off-target effects, and improve pharmacokinetic properties. Similar strategies employing modified nucleobases and lipid nanoparticles have been used for developing coronavirus disease 2019 mRNA vaccines. In this review, we provide an overview of the development of chemistry-based technologies aimed at using nucleic acids for developing therapeutics over the past several decades, with a specific emphasis on the structural design and functionality of chemical modification strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Kawamoto
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
| | - You Wu
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yuki Takahashi
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Takakura
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Drug Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
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6
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Guenther DC, Mori S, Matsuda S, Gilbert JA, Willoughby JLS, Hyde S, Bisbe A, Jiang Y, Agarwal S, Madaoui M, Janas MM, Charisse K, Maier MA, Egli M, Manoharan M. Role of a "Magic" Methyl: 2'-Deoxy-2'-α-F-2'-β- C-methyl Pyrimidine Nucleotides Modulate RNA Interference Activity through Synergy with 5'-Phosphate Mimics and Mitigation of Off-Target Effects. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:14517-14534. [PMID: 35921401 PMCID: PMC9389587 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c01679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Although 2′-deoxy-2′-α-F-2′-β-C-methyl (2′-F/Me) uridine nucleoside derivatives
are a successful class of antiviral drugs, this modification had not
been studied in oligonucleotides. Herein, we demonstrate the facile
synthesis of 2′-F/Me-modified pyrimidine phosphoramidites and
their subsequent incorporation into oligonucleotides. Despite the
C3′-endo preorganization of the parent nucleoside,
a single incorporation into RNA or DNA resulted in significant thermal
destabilization of a duplex due to unfavorable enthalpy, likely resulting
from steric effects. When located at the terminus of an oligonucleotide,
the 2′-F/Me modification imparted more resistance to degradation
than the corresponding 2′-fluoro nucleotides. Small interfering
RNAs (siRNAs) modified at certain positions with 2′-F/Me had
similar or better silencing activity than the parent siRNAs when delivered
via a lipid nanoparticle formulation or as a triantennary N-acetylgalactosamine conjugate in cells and in mice. Modification
in the seed region of the antisense strand at position 6 or 7 resulted
in an activity equivalent to the parent in mice. Additionally, placement
of the antisense strand at position 7 mitigated seed-based off-target
effects in cell-based assays. When the 2′-F/Me modification
was combined with 5′-vinyl phosphonate, both E and Z isomers had silencing activity comparable
to the parent. In combination with other 2′-modifications such
as 2′-O-methyl, the Z isomer
is detrimental to silencing activity. Presumably, the equivalence
of 5′-vinyl phosphonate isomers in the context of 2′-F/Me
is driven by the steric and conformational features of the C-methyl-containing sugar ring. These data indicate that
2′-F/Me nucleotides are promising tools for nucleic acid-based
therapeutic applications to increase potency, duration, and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale C Guenther
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Shohei Mori
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Shigeo Matsuda
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Jason A Gilbert
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | | | - Sarah Hyde
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Anna Bisbe
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Yongfeng Jiang
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Saket Agarwal
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Mimouna Madaoui
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Maja M Janas
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Klaus Charisse
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Martin A Maier
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Martin Egli
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Muthiah Manoharan
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 West Kendall, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
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7
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Shiohama Y, Fujita R, Sonokawa M, Hisano M, Kotake Y, Krstic-Demonacos M, Demonacos C, Kashiwazaki G, Kitayama T, Fujii M. Elimination of Off-Target Effect by Chemical Modification of 5′-End of Small Interfering RNA. Nucleic Acid Ther 2022; 32:438-447. [DOI: 10.1089/nat.2021.0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yasuo Shiohama
- Environmental and Biological Information Group, Tropical Biosphere Research Centre, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Fujita
- Department of Biological & Environmental Chemistry, School of Humanity Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Iizuka, Japan
| | - Maika Sonokawa
- Department of Biological & Environmental Chemistry, School of Humanity Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Iizuka, Japan
| | - Masaaki Hisano
- Department of Biological & Environmental Chemistry, School of Humanity Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Iizuka, Japan
| | - Yojiro Kotake
- Department of Biological & Environmental Chemistry, School of Humanity Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Iizuka, Japan
| | - Marija Krstic-Demonacos
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom
| | - Constantinos Demonacos
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, School of Health Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Gengo Kashiwazaki
- Department of Advanced Bioscience, Faculty of Agriculture, Kindai University, Nara, Japan
| | - Takashi Kitayama
- Department of Advanced Bioscience, Faculty of Agriculture, Kindai University, Nara, Japan
| | - Masayuki Fujii
- Department of Biological & Environmental Chemistry, School of Humanity Oriented Science and Technology, Kindai University, Iizuka, Japan
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8
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Gangopadhyay S, Gore KR. Advances in siRNA therapeutics and synergistic effect on siRNA activity using emerging dual ribose modifications. RNA Biol 2022; 19:452-467. [PMID: 35352626 PMCID: PMC8973385 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2022.2052641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleic acid-based therapeutics that control gene expression have been steadily progressing towards achieving their full clinical potential throughout the last few decades. Rapid progress has been achieved in RNAi-based therapy by optimizing high specificity and gene silencing efficiency using chemically modified siRNAs. Since 2018, four siRNA drugs – patisiran, givosiran, lumasiran, and inclisiran, were approved by the US FDA, providing a testament to the promise of RNAi therapeutics. Despite these promising results, safe and efficient siRNA delivery at the target site remains a major obstacle for efficient siRNA-based therapeutics. In this review, we have outlined the synergistic effects of emerging dual ribose modifications, including 2’,4’- and 2’,5’-modifications, 5’-E/Z-vinylphosphonate, and northern methanocarbacyclic (NMC) modifications that have contributed to drug-like effects in siRNA. These modifications enhance nuclease stability, prolong gene silencing efficiency, improve thermal stability, and exhibit high tissue accumulation. We also highlight the current progress in siRNA clinical trials. This review will help to understand the potential effects of dual ribose modifications and provides alternative ways to use extensive 2’-modifications in siRNA drugs. Moreover, the minimal number of these dual ribose modifications could be sufficient to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. In future, detailed in vivo studies using these dual ribose modifications could help to improve the therapeutic effects of siRNA. Rational design could further open doors for the rapid progress in siRNA therapeutics. ![]() ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Gangopadhyay
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
| | - Kiran R Gore
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, India
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9
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Halloy F, Biscans A, Bujold KE, Debacker A, Hill AC, Lacroix A, Luige O, Strömberg R, Sundstrom L, Vogel J, Ghidini A. Innovative developments and emerging technologies in RNA therapeutics. RNA Biol 2022; 19:313-332. [PMID: 35188077 PMCID: PMC8865321 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2022.2027150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-based therapeutics are emerging as a powerful platform for the treatment of multiple diseases. Currently, the two main categories of nucleic acid therapeutics, antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), achieve their therapeutic effect through either gene silencing, splicing modulation or microRNA binding, giving rise to versatile options to target pathogenic gene expression patterns. Moreover, ongoing research seeks to expand the scope of RNA-based drugs to include more complex nucleic acid templates, such as messenger RNA, as exemplified by the first approved mRNA-based vaccine in 2020. The increasing number of approved sequences and ongoing clinical trials has attracted considerable interest in the chemical development of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids as drugs, especially since the FDA approval of the first siRNA drug in 2018. As a result, a variety of innovative approaches is emerging, highlighting the potential of RNA as one of the most prominent therapeutic tools in the drug design and development pipeline. This review seeks to provide a comprehensive summary of current efforts in academia and industry aimed at fully realizing the potential of RNA-based therapeutics. Towards this, we introduce established and emerging RNA-based technologies, with a focus on their potential as biosensors and therapeutics. We then describe their mechanisms of action and their application in different disease contexts, along with the strengths and limitations of each strategy. Since the nucleic acid toolbox is rapidly expanding, we also introduce RNA minimal architectures, RNA/protein cleavers and viral RNA as promising modalities for new therapeutics and discuss future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- François Halloy
- Department of Paediatrics, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Annabelle Biscans
- Oligonucleotide Chemistry, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&d, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Katherine E. Bujold
- Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, McMaster University, (Ontario), Canada
| | | | - Alyssa C. Hill
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Eth Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Lacroix
- Sixfold Bioscience, Translation & Innovation Hub, London, UK
| | - Olivia Luige
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Roger Strömberg
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden
| | - Linda Sundstrom
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&d, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jörg Vogel
- Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (Hiri), Helmholtz Center for Infection Research (Hzi), Würzburg, Germany
- RNA Biology Group, Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Alice Ghidini
- Mechanistic and Structural Biology, Discovery Sciences, BioPharmaceuticals R&d, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
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10
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Kobayashi Y, Fukuhara D, Akase D, Aida M, Ui-Tei K. siRNA Seed Region Is Divided into Two Functionally Different Domains in RNA Interference in Response to 2'-OMe Modifications. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:2398-2410. [PMID: 35071927 PMCID: PMC8771963 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c06455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In RNA interference (RNAi), small interfering RNA (siRNA) functions to suppress the expression of its target mRNA with perfect sequence complementarity. In a mechanism different from above, siRNA also suppresses unintended mRNAs with partial sequence complementarities, mainly to the siRNA seed region (nucleotides 2-8). This mechanism is largely utilized by microRNAs (miRNAs) and results in siRNA-mediated off-target effects. Thus, the siRNA seed region is considered to be involved in both RNAi and off-target effects. In this study, we revealed that the impact of 2'-O-methyl (2'-OMe) modification is different according to the nucleotide positions. The 2'-OMe modifications of nucleotides 2-5 inhibited off-target effects without affecting on-target RNAi activities. In contrast, 2'-OMe modifications of nucleotides 6-8 increased both RNAi and off-target activities. The computational simulation revealed that the structural change induced by 2'-OMe modifications interrupts base pairing between siRNA and target/off-target mRNAs at nucleotides 2-5 but enhances at nucleotides 6-8. Thus, our results suggest that siRNA seed region consists of two functionally different domains in response to 2'-OMe modifications: nucleotides 2-5 are essential for avoiding off-target effects, and nucleotides 6-8 are involved in the enhancement of both RNAi and off-target activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiaki Kobayashi
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Daiki Fukuhara
- Center
for Quantum Life Sciences and Department of Chemistry, Graduate School
of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Dai Akase
- Center
for Quantum Life Sciences and Department of Chemistry, Graduate School
of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Misako Aida
- Center
for Quantum Life Sciences and Department of Chemistry, Graduate School
of Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Kumiko Ui-Tei
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
- Department
of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of
Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Chiba 277-8561, Japan
- . Phone: +81-3-5841-3044. Fax: +81-3-5841-3044
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11
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Akabane-Nakata M, Chickering T, Harp JM, Schlegel MK, Matsuda S, Egli M, Manoharan M. RNAs Containing Carbocyclic Ribonucleotides. Org Lett 2021; 24:525-530. [PMID: 34958225 DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c03936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Toward the goal of evaluation of carbocyclic ribonucleoside-containing oligonucleotide therapeutics, we developed convenient, scalable syntheses of all four carbocyclic ribonucleotide phosphoramidites and the uridine solid-support building block. Crystallographic analysis confirmed configuration and stereochemistry of these building blocks. Duplexes with carbocyclic RNA (car-RNA) modifications in one strand were less thermodynamically stable than duplexes with unmodified RNA. However, circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated that global conformations of the duplexes containing car-RNAs were similar to those in the unmodified duplexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Akabane-Nakata
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 W Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Tyler Chickering
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 W Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Joel M Harp
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Mark K Schlegel
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 W Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Shigeo Matsuda
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 W Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Martin Egli
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Muthiah Manoharan
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, 675 W Kendall Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
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Jacobson KA, Salmaso V, Suresh RR, Tosh DK. Expanding the repertoire of methanocarba nucleosides from purinergic signaling to diverse targets. RSC Med Chem 2021; 12:1808-1825. [PMID: 34825182 PMCID: PMC8597424 DOI: 10.1039/d1md00167a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleoside derivatives are well represented as pharmaceuticals due to their druglike physicochemical properties, and some nucleoside drugs are designed to act on receptors. The purinergic signaling pathways for extracellular nucleosides and nucleotides, consisting of adenosine receptors, P2Y/P2X receptors for nucleotides, and enzymes such as adenosine (ribo)kinase, have been extensively studied. A general modification, i.e. a constrained, bicyclic ring system (bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane, also called methanocarba) substituted in place of a furanose ring, can increase nucleoside/nucleotide potency and/or selectivity at purinergic and antiviral targets and in interactions at diverse and unconventional targets. Compared to other common drug discovery scaffolds containing planar rings, methanocarba nucleosides display greater sp3 character (i.e. more favorable as drug-like molecules) and can manifest as sterically-constrained North (N) or South (S) conformations. Initially weak, off-target interactions of (N)-methanocarba adenosine derivatives were detected as leads that were structurally optimized to enhance activity and selectivity toward target proteins that normally do not recognize nucleosides. By this approach, novel modulators for 5HT2 serotonin and κ-opioid receptors, dopamine (DAT) and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters were found, and previously undetected antiviral activities were revealed. Thus, through methanocarba nucleoside synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and multi-target pharmacology, a robust purinergic receptor scaffold has been repurposed to satisfy the pharmacophoric requirements of various GPCRs, enzymes and transporters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth A Jacobson
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD 20892-0810 USA +301 480 8422 +301 496 9024
| | - Veronica Salmaso
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD 20892-0810 USA +301 480 8422 +301 496 9024
| | - R Rama Suresh
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD 20892-0810 USA +301 480 8422 +301 496 9024
| | - Dilip K Tosh
- Molecular Recognition Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health Bethesda MD 20892-0810 USA +301 480 8422 +301 496 9024
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