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Cantara S, Simoncelli G, Ricci C. Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASOs) in Motor Neuron Diseases: A Road to Cure in Light and Shade. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4809. [PMID: 38732027 PMCID: PMC11083842 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are short oligodeoxynucleotides designed to bind to specific regions of target mRNA. ASOs can modulate pre-mRNA splicing, increase levels of functional proteins, and decrease levels of toxic proteins. ASOs are being developed for the treatment of motor neuron diseases (MNDs), including spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). The biggest success has been the ASO known as nusinersen, the first effective therapy for SMA, able to improve symptoms and slow disease progression. Another success is tofersen, an ASO designed to treat ALS patients with SOD1 gene mutations. Both ASOs have been approved by the FDA and EMA. On the other hand, ASO treatment in ALS patients with the C9orf72 gene mutation did not show any improvement in disease progression. The aim of this review is to provide an up-to-date overview of ASO research in MNDs, from preclinical studies to clinical trials and, where available, regulatory approval. We highlight the successes and failures, underline the strengths and limitations of the current ASO research, and suggest possible approaches that could lead to more effective treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Cantara
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Giorgia Simoncelli
- Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurological and Motor Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Claudia Ricci
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurological Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy;
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Wilton-Clark H, Al-aghbari A, Yang J, Yokota T. Advancing Epidemiology and Genetic Approaches for the Treatment of Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy: Focus on Prevalence in the Indigenous Population of Western Canada. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1634. [PMID: 37628685 PMCID: PMC10454234 DOI: 10.3390/genes14081634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), also known as Kennedy's disease, is a debilitating neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive muscular weakness and neuronal degeneration, affecting 1-2 individuals per 100,000 globally. While SBMA is relatively rare, recent studies have shown a significantly higher prevalence of the disease among the indigenous population of Western Canada compared to the general population. The disease is caused by a pathogenic expansion of polyglutamine residues in the androgen receptor protein, which acts as a key transcriptional regulator for numerous genes. SBMA has no cure, and current treatments are primarily supportive and focused on symptom management. Recently, a form of precision medicine known as antisense therapy has gained traction as a promising therapeutic option for numerous neuromuscular diseases. Antisense therapy uses small synthetic oligonucleotides to confer therapeutic benefit by acting on pathogenic mRNA molecules, serving to either degrade pathogenic mRNA transcripts or helping to modulate splicing. Recent studies have explored the suitability of antisense therapy for the treatment of SBMA, primarily focused on gene therapy and antisense-mediated mRNA knockdown approaches. Advancements in understanding the pathogenesis of SBMA and the development of targeted therapies offer hope for improved quality of life for individuals affected by this debilitating condition. Continued research is essential to optimize these genetic approaches, ensuring their safety and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Wilton-Clark
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
| | - Ammar Al-aghbari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
| | - Jessica Yang
- Department of Immunology, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Arts and Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada;
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada;
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Baltodano-Calle MJ, Onton-Díaz M, Gonzales GF. Androgens, brain and androgen deprivation therapy in paraphilic disorders: A narrative review. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14561. [PMID: 35995581 DOI: 10.1111/and.14561] [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: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual delinquency is a global problem where those with paraphilic disorders, such as paedophiles, are more likely to commit and reoffend. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been suggested as a solution. The objective of this narrative review is to present current information on its risks, benefits and limitations as a treatment for paraphilias. The importance of testosterone in sexual function, the effect of its deficiency by age or by pharmacological treatment (anti-androgens, GnRH agonists and GnRH antagonists) and the effect of testosterone replacement therapy will be reviewed. The relationship between androgens, brain, sexual behaviour and pathophysiology of paraphilic disorders will also be explored. ADT reduces sexual urges, but has adverse effects and, because its reversible nature, it does not ensure less recidivism. Likewise, the research quality of ADT drugs is limited and not enough to support their use. Child sex offenders, and not paraphilic subjects who have not committed assaults, show signs of elevated prenatal exposure to androgens and a higher methylation state of the androgen receptor gene. Sexual behaviour is regulated by subcortical (hypothalamus, brainstem and spinal cord) and cortical structures of the brain, in addition to brain circuits (dopaminergic, serotonergic). Those with paraphilic disorders show abnormalities at these levels that could relate to the risk of sexual offences. In conclusion, androgens represent a significant part of the pathophysiology of paraphilias and therefore, ADT seems promising. Nonetheless, more studies are needed to make definite conclusions about the efficacy of long-term ADT in paraphilic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melisa Onton-Díaz
- Faculty of Medicine, Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University., Lima, Peru
| | - Gustavo F Gonzales
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Reproducción, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo (LID), Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.,Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Fisiológicas, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.,Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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Davey JS, Carmichael RE, Craig TJ. Protein SUMOylation regulates insulin secretion at multiple stages. Sci Rep 2019; 9:2895. [PMID: 30814610 PMCID: PMC6393506 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39681-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Type-II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is one of the fastest growing public health issues of modern times, consuming 12% of worldwide health budgets and affecting an estimated 400 million people. A key pathological trait associated with this disease is the failure of normal glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) from pancreatic beta cells. Several lines of evidence suggest that vesicle trafficking events such as insulin secretion are regulated by the post-translational modification, SUMOylation, and indeed SUMOylation has been proposed to act as a ‘brake’ on insulin exocytosis. Here, we show that diabetic stimuli which inhibit GSIS are correlated with an increase in cellular protein SUMOylation, and that inhibition of deSUMOylation reduces GSIS. We demonstrate that manipulation of cellular protein SUMOylation levels, by overexpression of several different components of the SUMOylation pathway, have varied and complex effects on GSIS, indicating that SUMOylation regulates this process at multiple stages. We further demonstrate that inhibition of syntaxin1A SUMOylation, via a knockdown-rescue strategy, greatly enhances GSIS. Our data are therefore consistent with the model that SUMOylation acts as a brake on GSIS, and we have identified SUMOylation of syntaxin 1 A as a potential component of this brake. However, our data also demonstrate that the role of SUMOylation in GSIS is complex and may involve many substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey S Davey
- Centre for Research in Biosciences, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Frenchay, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK
| | - Ruth E Carmichael
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Tim J Craig
- Centre for Research in Biosciences, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Frenchay, Bristol, BS16 1QY, UK.
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Anderson DB, Zanella CA, Henley JM, Cimarosti H. Sumoylation: Implications for Neurodegenerative Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 963:261-281. [PMID: 28197918 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-50044-7_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The covalent posttranslational modifications of proteins are critical events in signaling cascades that enable cells to efficiently, rapidly and reversibly respond to extracellular stimuli. This is especially important in the CNS where the processes affecting synaptic communication between neurons are highly complex and very tightly regulated. Sumoylation regulates the function and fate of a diverse array of proteins and participates in the complex cell signaling pathways required for cell survival. One of the most complex signaling pathways is synaptic transmission.Correct synaptic function is critical to the working of the brain and its alteration through synaptic plasticity mediates learning, mental disorders and stroke. The investigation of neuronal sumoylation is a new and exciting field and the functional and pathophysiological implications are far-reaching. Sumoylation has already been implicated in a diverse array of neurological disorders. Here we provide an overview of current literature highlighting recent insights into the role of sumoylation in neurodegeneration. In addition we present a brief assessment of drug discovery in the analogous ubiquitin system and extrapolate on the potential for development of novel therapies that might target SUMO-associated mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina B Anderson
- Ipsen Bioinnovation Ltd, Units 4-10 The Quadrant, Barton Lane, Abingdon, OX14 3YS, UK
| | - Camila A Zanella
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Universitario - Trindade, Florianopolis, CEP, 88040-900, Brazil
| | - Jeremy M Henley
- MRC Centre for Synaptic Plasticity, School of Biochemistry, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Helena Cimarosti
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Universitario - Trindade, Florianopolis, CEP, 88040-900, Brazil.
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