1
|
Wang L, Zhou Y, Wei T, Huang H. Two homozygous adjacent novel missense mutations in DYSF gene caused dysferlinopathy due to splicing abnormalities. Front Genet 2024; 15:1404611. [PMID: 38903757 PMCID: PMC11188463 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1404611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Dysferlinopathy is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the DYSF gene. This study reported two homozygous adjacent missense mutations in the DYSF gene, presenting clinically with bilateral lower limb weakness and calf swelling. Two homozygous adjacent missense mutations in the DYSF gene may be associated with the development of dysferlinopathy, but the exact mechanism needs further investigation. Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical data from a dysferlinopathy-affected family was conducted. Peripheral blood samples were collected from members of this family for whole-exome sequencing (WES) and copy number variation analysis. Sanger sequencing was employed to confirm potential pathogenic variants. The Human Splicing Finder, SpliceAI, and varSEAK database were used to predict the effect of mutations on splicing function. The pathogenic mechanism of aberrant splicing in dysferlinopathy due to two homozygous adjacent missense mutations in the DYSF gene was determined by an in vivo splicing assay and an in vitro minigene assay. Results: The proband was a 42-year-old woman who presented with weakness of the lower limbs for 2 years and edema of the lower leg. Two homozygous DYSF variants, c.5628C>A p. D1876E and c.5633A>T p. Y1878F, were identified in the proband. Bioinformatics databases suggested that the mutation c.5628C>A of DYSF had no significant impact on splicing signals. Human Splicing Finder Version 2.4.1 suggested that the c.5633A>T of DYSF mutation caused alteration of auxiliary sequences and significant alteration of the ESE/ESS motif ratio. VarSEAK and SpliceAI suggested that the c.5633A>T of DYSF mutation had no splicing effect. Both an in vivo splicing assay and an in vitro minigene assay showed two adjacent mutations: c.5628C>A p. D1876E and c.5633A>T p. Y1878F in the DYSF gene leading to an Exon50 jump that resulted in a 32-aa amino acid deletion within the protein. Point mutation c.5628C>A p. D1876E in the DYSF gene affected splicing in vitro, while point mutation c.5633A>T p. Y1878F in the DYSF gene did not affect splicing function. Conclusion: This study confirmed for the first time that two homozygous mutations of DYSF were associated with the occurrence of dysferlinopathy. The c.5628C>A p. D1876E mutation in DYSF affected the splicing function and may be one of the contributing factors to the pathogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lun Wang
- Jinzhou Medical University Graduate Training Base, Suizhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, Hubei, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Jingchu University of Technology, Jingmen, Hubei, China
| | - Tiantian Wei
- Daytime Surgical Ward, Suizhou Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, Hubei, China
| | - Hongyao Huang
- Jinzhou Medical University Graduate Training Base, Suizhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, Hubei, China
- Department of Laboratory, Suizhou Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Suizhou, Hubei, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Poudel BH, Fletcher S, Wilton SD, Aung-Htut M. Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2B (LGMD2B): Diagnosis and Therapeutic Possibilities. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5572. [PMID: 38891760 PMCID: PMC11171558 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Dysferlin is a large transmembrane protein involved in critical cellular processes including membrane repair and vesicle fusion. Mutations in the dysferlin gene (DYSF) can result in rare forms of muscular dystrophy; Miyoshi myopathy; limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B); and distal myopathy. These conditions are collectively known as dysferlinopathies and are caused by more than 600 mutations that have been identified across the DYSF gene to date. In this review, we discuss the key molecular and clinical features of LGMD2B, the causative gene DYSF, and the associated dysferlin protein structure. We also provide an update on current approaches to LGMD2B diagnosis and advances in drug development, including splice switching antisense oligonucleotides. We give a brief update on clinical trials involving adeno-associated viral gene therapy and the current progress on CRISPR/Cas9 mediated therapy for LGMD2B, and then conclude by discussing the prospects of antisense oligomer-based intervention to treat selected mutations causing dysferlinopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bal Hari Poudel
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia; (B.H.P.); (S.F.); (S.D.W.)
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
- Central Department of Biotechnology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu 44618, Nepal
| | - Sue Fletcher
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia; (B.H.P.); (S.F.); (S.D.W.)
| | - Steve D. Wilton
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia; (B.H.P.); (S.F.); (S.D.W.)
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - May Aung-Htut
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, Australia; (B.H.P.); (S.F.); (S.D.W.)
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yasa J, Reed CE, Bournazos AM, Evesson FJ, Pang I, Graham ME, Wark JR, Nijagal B, Kwan KH, Kwiatkowski T, Jung R, Weisleder N, Cooper ST, Lemckert FA. Minimal expression of dysferlin prevents development of dysferlinopathy in dysferlin exon 40a knockout mice. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:15. [PMID: 36653852 PMCID: PMC9847081 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01473-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysferlin is a Ca2+-activated lipid binding protein implicated in muscle membrane repair. Recessive variants in DYSF result in dysferlinopathy, a progressive muscular dystrophy. We showed previously that calpain cleavage within a motif encoded by alternatively spliced exon 40a releases a 72 kDa C-terminal minidysferlin recruited to injured sarcolemma. Herein we use CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to knock out murine Dysf exon 40a, to specifically assess its role in membrane repair and development of dysferlinopathy. We created three Dysf exon 40a knockout (40aKO) mouse lines that each express different levels of dysferlin protein ranging from ~ 90%, ~ 50% and ~ 10-20% levels of wild-type. Histopathological analysis of skeletal muscles from all 12-month-old 40aKO lines showed virtual absence of dystrophic features and normal membrane repair capacity for all three 40aKO lines, as compared with dysferlin-null BLAJ mice. Further, lipidomic and proteomic analyses on 18wk old quadriceps show all three 40aKO lines are spared the profound lipidomic/proteomic imbalance that characterises dysferlin-deficient BLAJ muscles. Collective results indicate that membrane repair does not depend upon calpain cleavage within exon 40a and that ~ 10-20% of WT dysferlin protein expression is sufficient to maintain the muscle lipidome, proteome and membrane repair capacity to crucially prevent development of dysferlinopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joe Yasa
- grid.413973.b0000 0000 9690 854XKids Neuroscience Centre, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Cnr Hawkesbury Road, Hainsworth Street, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145 Australia ,grid.414235.50000 0004 0619 2154Functional Neuromics, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Claudia E. Reed
- grid.413973.b0000 0000 9690 854XKids Neuroscience Centre, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Cnr Hawkesbury Road, Hainsworth Street, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145 Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDiscipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Adam M. Bournazos
- grid.413973.b0000 0000 9690 854XKids Neuroscience Centre, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Cnr Hawkesbury Road, Hainsworth Street, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145 Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDiscipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Frances J. Evesson
- grid.413973.b0000 0000 9690 854XKids Neuroscience Centre, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Cnr Hawkesbury Road, Hainsworth Street, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145 Australia ,grid.414235.50000 0004 0619 2154Functional Neuromics, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead, Sydney, NSW Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDiscipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Ignatius Pang
- grid.414235.50000 0004 0619 2154Synapse Proteomics, Children’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW Australia
| | - Mark E. Graham
- grid.414235.50000 0004 0619 2154Synapse Proteomics, Children’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW Australia
| | - Jesse R. Wark
- grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XOperations, Children’s Medical Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW Australia
| | - Brunda Nijagal
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XMetabolomics Australia, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kim H. Kwan
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XMetabolomics Australia, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas Kwiatkowski
- grid.268132.c0000 0001 0701 2416West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383 USA
| | - Rachel Jung
- grid.412332.50000 0001 1545 0811Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210-1252 USA
| | - Noah Weisleder
- grid.412332.50000 0001 1545 0811Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210-1252 USA
| | - Sandra T. Cooper
- grid.413973.b0000 0000 9690 854XKids Neuroscience Centre, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Cnr Hawkesbury Road, Hainsworth Street, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145 Australia ,grid.414235.50000 0004 0619 2154Functional Neuromics, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead, Sydney, NSW Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDiscipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Frances A. Lemckert
- grid.413973.b0000 0000 9690 854XKids Neuroscience Centre, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Cnr Hawkesbury Road, Hainsworth Street, Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145 Australia ,grid.414235.50000 0004 0619 2154Functional Neuromics, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Westmead, Sydney, NSW Australia ,grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XDiscipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Anwar S, Yokota T. Morpholino-Mediated Exons 28-29 Skipping of Dysferlin and Characterization of Multiexon-skipped Dysferlin using RT-PCR, Immunoblotting, and Membrane Wounding Assay. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2587:183-196. [PMID: 36401031 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2772-3_11] [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] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Dysferlinopathies are a group of disabling muscular dystrophies that includes limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B), Miyoshi myopathy, and distal myopathy with anterior tibial onset (DMAT) as the main phenotypes. They are associated with molecular defects in DYSF, which encodes dysferlin, a key player in sarcolemmal homeostasis. Previous investigations have suggested that exon skipping may be a promising therapy for many patients with dysferlinopathies. It was reported that exons 28-29 of DYSF are dispensable for dysferlin functions. Here, we present a method for multiexon skipping of DYSF exons 28-29 using a cocktail of two phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) on cells derived from a dystrophinopathy patient. Also, we describe assays to characterize the multiexon skipped dysferlin at several levels by using one-step RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and a membrane wounding assay.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Anwar
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research and Muscular Dystrophy Canada, HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Taheri F, Taghizadeh E, Pour MJR, Rostami D, Renani PG, Rastgar-Moghadam A, Hayat SMG. Limb-girdle Muscular Dystrophy and Therapy: Insights into Cell and Gene-based Approaches. Curr Gene Ther 2020; 19:386-394. [PMID: 32067617 DOI: 10.2174/1566523220666200218113526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophies (LGMD) are genetically heterogeneous disorders, responsible for muscle wasting and severe form of dystrophies. Despite the critical developments in the insight and information of pathomechanisms of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, any definitive treatments do not exist, and current strategies are only based on the improvement of the signs of disorder and to enhance the life quality without resolving an underlying cause. There is a crucial relationship between pharmacological therapy and different consequences; therefore, other treatment strategies will be required. New approaches, such as gene replacement, gene transfer, exon skipping, siRNA knockdown, and anti-myostatin therapy, which can target specific cellular or molecular mechanism of LGMD, could be a promising avenue for the treatment. Recently, genome engineering strategies with a focus on molecular tools such as CRISPR-Cas9 are used to different types of neuromuscular disorders and show the highest potential for clinical translation of these therapies. Thus, recent advancements and challenges in the field will be reviewed in this paper.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Forough Taheri
- Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Eskandar Taghizadeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad J R Pour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Mashhad-Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Daryoush Rostami
- Department of School Allied, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
| | - Pedram G Renani
- Shahrekord Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Azam Rastgar-Moghadam
- Department of Genetics, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed M G Hayat
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Verwey N, Gazzoli I, Krause S, Mamchaoui K, Mouly V, Aartsma-Rus A. Antisense-Mediated Skipping of Dysferlin Exons in Control and Dysferlinopathy Patient-Derived Cells. Nucleic Acid Ther 2019; 30:71-79. [PMID: 31873062 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2019.0788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysferlinopathies encompass a spectrum of progressive muscular dystrophies caused by the lack of dysferlin due to missense mutations in the dysferlin gene or mutations causing premature truncation of protein translation. Dysferlin is a modular protein, and dysferlins lacking one or more repetitive domains have been shown to retain functionality. As such, antisense-mediated exon skipping has been proposed as a therapy for dysferlinopathy. By skipping the mutated exon, the reading frame would be maintained, while the mutation would be bypassed, thus allowing production of an internally deleted, but partially functional, dysferlin. We previously showed that dysferlin exon skipping is feasible in control cell lines. We here evaluated exon skipping and dysferlin protein restoration in patient-derived cells requiring the skipping of exon 9, 29, 30, or 34. Exon 30 skipping was possible at high efficiency, but did not result in increased dysferlin. We discovered that the alleged exon 30 mutation was in fact a polymorphism and identified a splicing mutation in intron 28 as the disease-causing mutation. While exon skipping was feasible for each of the other cell lines, no increases in dysferlin protein could be detected by western blotting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Verwey
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Isabella Gazzoli
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sabine Krause
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munchen, Germany
| | - Kamel Mamchaoui
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut de Myologie, Myology Research Center, CRM, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Mouly
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut de Myologie, Myology Research Center, CRM, Paris, France
| | - Annemieke Aartsma-Rus
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Dominov JA, Uyan Ö, McKenna‐Yasek D, Nallamilli BRR, Kergourlay V, Bartoli M, Levy N, Hudson J, Evangelista T, Lochmuller H, Krahn M, Rufibach L, Hegde M, Brown RH. Correction of pseudoexon splicing caused by a novel intronic dysferlin mutation. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2019; 6:642-654. [PMID: 31019989 PMCID: PMC6469257 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dysferlin is a large transmembrane protein that functions in critical processes of membrane repair and vesicle fusion. Dysferlin-deficiency due to mutations in the dysferlin gene leads to muscular dystrophy (Miyoshi myopathy (MM), limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B), distal myopathy with anterior tibial onset (DMAT)), typically with early adult onset. At least 416 pathogenic dysferlin mutations are known, but for approximately 17% of patients, one or both of their pathogenic variants remain undefined following standard exon sequencing methods that interrogate exons and nearby flanking intronic regions but not the majority of intronic regions. METHODS We sequenced RNA from myogenic cells to identify a novel dysferlin pathogenic variant in two affected siblings that previously had only one disease-causing variant identified. We designed antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) to bypass the effects of this mutation on RNA splicing. RESULTS We identified a new pathogenic point mutation deep within dysferlin intron 50i. This intronic variant causes aberrant mRNA splicing and inclusion of an additional pseudoexon (PE, we term PE50.1) within the mature dysferlin mRNA. PE50.1 inclusion alters the protein sequence, causing premature translation termination. We identified this mutation in 23 dysferlinopathy patients (seventeen families), revealing it to be one of the more prevalent dysferlin mutations. We used AON-mediated exon skipping to correct the aberrant PE50.1 splicing events in vitro, which increased normal mRNA production and significantly restored dysferlin protein expression. INTERPRETATION Deep intronic mutations can be a common underlying cause of dysferlinopathy, and importantly, could be treatable with AON-based exon-skipping strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janice A. Dominov
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterMassachusetts
| | - Özgün Uyan
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterMassachusetts
| | - Diane McKenna‐Yasek
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterMassachusetts
| | - Babi Ramesh Reddy Nallamilli
- Department of Human GeneticsEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgia
- Present address:
Perkin Elmer GenomicsWalthamMassachusetts
| | - Virginie Kergourlay
- Marseille Medical Genetics ‐ Translational NeuromyologyAix‐Marseille UnivINSERMMMGMarseilleFrance
| | - Marc Bartoli
- Marseille Medical Genetics ‐ Translational NeuromyologyAix‐Marseille UnivINSERMMMGMarseilleFrance
| | - Nicolas Levy
- Marseille Medical Genetics ‐ Translational NeuromyologyAix‐Marseille UnivINSERMMMGMarseilleFrance
- Département de Génétique MédicaleAPHMHôpital Timone EnfantsMarseilleFrance
| | - Judith Hudson
- Northern Molecular Genetics ServiceNewcastle upon TyneUnited Kingdom
| | - Teresinha Evangelista
- Newcastle University John Walton Centre for Muscular Dystrophy ResearchMRC Centre for Neuromuscular DiseasesInstitute of Genetic MedicineNewcastle upon TyneUnited Kingdom
| | - Hanns Lochmuller
- Newcastle University John Walton Centre for Muscular Dystrophy ResearchMRC Centre for Neuromuscular DiseasesInstitute of Genetic MedicineNewcastle upon TyneUnited Kingdom
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle DisordersFaculty of MedicineMedical Center–University of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
- Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG‐CRG)Center for Genomic RegulationBarcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)BarcelonaCataloniaSpain
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research InstituteUniversity of OttawaOttawaCanada
- Division of NeurologyDepartment of MedicineThe Ottawa HospitalOttawaCanada
| | - Martin Krahn
- Marseille Medical Genetics ‐ Translational NeuromyologyAix‐Marseille UnivINSERMMMGMarseilleFrance
- Département de Génétique MédicaleAPHMHôpital Timone EnfantsMarseilleFrance
| | | | - Madhuri Hegde
- Department of Human GeneticsEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgia
| | - Robert H. Brown
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterMassachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lee JJA, Maruyama R, Duddy W, Sakurai H, Yokota T. Identification of Novel Antisense-Mediated Exon Skipping Targets in DYSF for Therapeutic Treatment of Dysferlinopathy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 13:596-604. [PMID: 30439648 PMCID: PMC6234522 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Dysferlinopathy is a progressive myopathy caused by mutations in the dysferlin (DYSF) gene. Dysferlin protein plays a major role in plasma-membrane resealing. Some patients with DYSF deletion mutations exhibit mild symptoms, suggesting some regions of DYSF can be removed without significantly impacting protein function. Antisense-mediated exon-skipping therapy uses synthetic molecules called antisense oligonucleotides to modulate splicing, allowing exons harboring or near genetic mutations to be removed and the open reading frame corrected. Previous studies have focused on DYSF exon 32 skipping as a potential therapeutic approach, based on the association of a mild phenotype with the in-frame deletion of exon 32. To date, no other DYSF exon-skipping targets have been identified, and the relationship between DYSF exon deletion pattern and protein function remains largely uncharacterized. In this study, we utilized a membrane-wounding assay to evaluate the ability of plasmid constructs carrying mutant DYSF, as well as antisense oligonucleotides, to rescue membrane resealing in patient cells. We report that multi-exon skipping of DYSF exons 26–27 and 28–29 rescues plasma-membrane resealing. Successful translation of these findings into the development of clinical antisense drugs would establish new therapeutic approaches that would be applicable to ∼5%–7% (exons 26–27 skipping) and ∼8% (exons 28–29 skipping) of dysferlinopathy patients worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua J A Lee
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Rika Maruyama
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - William Duddy
- Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Altnagelvin Hospital Campus, Ulster University, Londonderry, United Kingdom
| | - Hidetoshi Sakurai
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada; The Friends of Garrett Cumming Research & Muscular Dystrophy Canada HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H7, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Li D, Mastaglia FL, Fletcher S, Wilton SD. Precision Medicine through Antisense Oligonucleotide-Mediated Exon Skipping. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2018; 39:982-994. [PMID: 30282590 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Clinical implementation of two recently approved antisense RNA therapeutics - Exondys51® to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne MD) and Spinraza® as a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) - highlights the therapeutic potential of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). As shown in the Duchenne and Becker cases, the identification and specific removal of 'dispensable' exons by exon-skipping ASOs could potentially bypass lethal mutations in other genes and bring clinical benefits to affected individuals carrying amenable mutations. In this review, we discuss the potential of therapeutic alternative splicing, with a particular focus on targeted exon skipping using Duchenne MD as an example, and speculate on new applications for other inherited rare diseases where redundant or dispensable exons may be amenable to exon-skipping ASO intervention as precision medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dunhui Li
- Centre for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Perth 6050, Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, University of Western Australia, Perth 6000, Australia
| | - Frank L Mastaglia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, University of Western Australia, Perth 6000, Australia
| | - Sue Fletcher
- Centre for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Perth 6050, Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, University of Western Australia, Perth 6000, Australia
| | - Steve D Wilton
- Centre for Comparative Genomics, Murdoch University, Perth 6050, Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, University of Western Australia, Perth 6000, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Abstract
Dysferlinopathies are rare genetic diseases affecting muscles due to mutations in DYSF. Exon 32 of DYSF has been shown to be dispensable for dysferlin functions. Here we present a method to visualize the skipping of exon 32 at the RNA and protein levels using an antisense oligonucleotide on cells derived from a dysferlinopathy-affected patient.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Barthélémy
- Microbiology Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sébastien Courrier
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, Marseille Medical Genetics (MMG), Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Lévy
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, Marseille Medical Genetics (MMG), Marseille, France
- APHM, Département de génétique Médicale, Hôpital d'enfants la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Martin Krahn
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, Marseille Medical Genetics (MMG), Marseille, France
- APHM, Département de génétique Médicale, Hôpital d'enfants la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Marc Bartoli
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, Marseille Medical Genetics (MMG), Marseille, France.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
An Overview of Recent Advances and Clinical Applications of Exon Skipping and Splice Modulation for Muscular Dystrophy and Various Genetic Diseases. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1828:31-55. [PMID: 30171533 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8651-4_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Exon skipping is a therapeutic approach that is feasible for various genetic diseases and has been studied and developed for over two decades. This approach uses antisense oligonucleotides (AON) to modify the splicing of pre-mRNA to correct the mutation responsible for a disease, or to suppress a particular gene expression, as in allergic diseases. Antisense-mediated exon skipping is most extensively studied in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and has developed from in vitro proof-of-concept studies to clinical trials targeting various single exons such as exon 45 (casimersen), exon 53 (NS-065/NCNP-01, golodirsen), and exon 51 (eteplirsen). Eteplirsen (brand name Exondys 51), is the first approved antisense therapy for DMD in the USA, and provides a treatment option for ~14% of all DMD patients, who are amenable to exon 51 skipping. Eteplirsen is granted accelerated approval and marketing authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on the condition that additional postapproval trials show clinical benefit. Permanent exon skipping achieved at the DNA level using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology holds promise in current preclinical trials for DMD. In hopes of achieving clinical success parallel to DMD, exon skipping and splice modulation are also being studied in other muscular dystrophies, such as Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), dysferlinopathy including limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B), Miyoshi myopathy (MM), and distal anterior compartment myopathy (DMAT), myotonic dystrophy, and merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy type 1A (MDC1A). This chapter also summarizes the development of antisense-mediated exon skipping therapy in diseases such as Usher syndrome, dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), and allergic diseases.
Collapse
|
12
|
Michalski N, Goutman JD, Auclair SM, Boutet de Monvel J, Tertrais M, Emptoz A, Parrin A, Nouaille S, Guillon M, Sachse M, Ciric D, Bahloul A, Hardelin JP, Sutton RB, Avan P, Krishnakumar SS, Rothman JE, Dulon D, Safieddine S, Petit C. Otoferlin acts as a Ca 2+ sensor for vesicle fusion and vesicle pool replenishment at auditory hair cell ribbon synapses. eLife 2017; 6:e31013. [PMID: 29111973 PMCID: PMC5700815 DOI: 10.7554/elife.31013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hearing relies on rapid, temporally precise, and sustained neurotransmitter release at the ribbon synapses of sensory cells, the inner hair cells (IHCs). This process requires otoferlin, a six C2-domain, Ca2+-binding transmembrane protein of synaptic vesicles. To decipher the role of otoferlin in the synaptic vesicle cycle, we produced knock-in mice (OtofAla515,Ala517/Ala515,Ala517) with lower Ca2+-binding affinity of the C2C domain. The IHC ribbon synapse structure, synaptic Ca2+ currents, and otoferlin distribution were unaffected in these mutant mice, but auditory brainstem response wave-I amplitude was reduced. Lower Ca2+ sensitivity and delay of the fast and sustained components of synaptic exocytosis were revealed by membrane capacitance measurement upon modulations of intracellular Ca2+ concentration, by varying Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated Ca2+-channels or Ca2+ uncaging. Otoferlin thus functions as a Ca2+ sensor, setting the rates of primed vesicle fusion with the presynaptic plasma membrane and synaptic vesicle pool replenishment in the IHC active zone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Michalski
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
| | - Juan D Goutman
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y TécnicasBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Sarah Marie Auclair
- Department of Cell BiologyYale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Jacques Boutet de Monvel
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
| | - Margot Tertrais
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Laboratoire de Neurophysiologie de la Synapse Auditive, Bordeaux NeurocampusUniversité de BordeauxBordeauxFrance
| | - Alice Emptoz
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
| | - Alexandre Parrin
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
| | - Sylvie Nouaille
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
| | - Marc Guillon
- Wave Front Engineering Microscopy Group, Neurophotonics Laboratory, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8250University Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris CitéParisFrance
| | - Martin Sachse
- Center for Innovation & Technological ResearchUltrapole, Institut PasteurParisFrance
| | - Danica Ciric
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
| | - Amel Bahloul
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
- Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueFrance
| | - Jean-Pierre Hardelin
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
| | - Roger Bryan Sutton
- Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular BiophysicsTexas Tech University Health Sciences CenterLubbockUnited States
- Center for Membrane Protein ResearchTexas Tech University Health Sciences CenterLubbockUnited States
| | - Paul Avan
- Laboratoire de Biophysique SensorielleUniversité Clermont AuvergneClermont-FerrandFrance
- UMR 1107, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleClermont-FerrandFrance
- Centre Jean PerrinClermont-FerrandFrance
| | - Shyam S Krishnakumar
- Department of Cell BiologyYale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
- Department of Clinical and Experimental EpilepsyInstitute of Neurology, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - James E Rothman
- Department of Cell BiologyYale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
- Department of Clinical and Experimental EpilepsyInstitute of Neurology, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Didier Dulon
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Laboratoire de Neurophysiologie de la Synapse Auditive, Bordeaux NeurocampusUniversité de BordeauxBordeauxFrance
| | - Saaid Safieddine
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
- Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueFrance
| | - Christine Petit
- Unité de Génétique et Physiologie de l’AuditionInstitut PasteurParisFrance
- UMRS 1120, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleParisFrance
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, Complexité du VivantParisFrance
- Syndrome de Usher et Autres Atteintes Rétino-CochléairesInstitut de la VisionParisFrance
- Collège de FranceParisFrance
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Viral Vector-Mediated Antisense Therapy for Genetic Diseases. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8020051. [PMID: 28134780 PMCID: PMC5333040 DOI: 10.3390/genes8020051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 01/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA plays complex roles in normal health and disease and is becoming an important target for therapeutic intervention; accordingly, therapeutic strategies that modulate RNA function have gained great interest over the past decade. Antisense oligonucleotides (AOs) are perhaps the most promising strategy to modulate RNA expression through a variety of post binding events such as gene silencing through degradative or non-degradative mechanisms, or splicing modulation which has recently demonstrated promising results. However, AO technology still faces issues like poor cellular-uptake, low efficacy in target tissues and relatively rapid clearance from the circulation which means repeated injections are essential to complete therapeutic efficacy. To overcome these limitations, viral vectors encoding small nuclear RNAs have been engineered to shuttle antisense sequences into cells, allowing appropriate subcellular localization with pre-mRNAs and permanent correction. In this review, we outline the different strategies for antisense therapy mediated by viral vectors and provide examples of each approach. We also address the advantages and limitations of viral vector use, with an emphasis on their clinical application.
Collapse
|
14
|
Fanin M, Angelini C. Progress and challenges in diagnosis of dysferlinopathy. Muscle Nerve 2016; 54:821-835. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.25367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Fanin
- Department of Neurosciences; University of Padova; Biomedical Campus “Pietro d'Abano”, via Giuseppe Orus 2B 35129 Padova Italy
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Escobar H, Schöwel V, Spuler S, Marg A, Izsvák Z. Full-length Dysferlin Transfer by the Hyperactive Sleeping Beauty Transposase Restores Dysferlin-deficient Muscle. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2016; 5:e277. [PMID: 26784637 PMCID: PMC5012550 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2015.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Dysferlin-deficient muscular dystrophy is a progressive disease characterized by muscle weakness and wasting for which there is no treatment. It is caused by mutations in DYSF, a large, multiexonic gene that forms a coding sequence of 6.2 kb. Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon is a nonviral gene transfer vector, already used in clinical trials. The hyperactive SB system consists of a transposon DNA sequence and a transposase protein, SB100X, that can integrate DNA over 10 kb into the target genome. We constructed an SB transposon-based vector to deliver full-length human DYSF cDNA into dysferlin-deficient H2K A/J myoblasts. We demonstrate proper dysferlin expression as well as highly efficient engraftment (>1,100 donor-derived fibers) of the engineered myoblasts in the skeletal muscle of dysferlin- and immunodeficient B6.Cg-Dysf(prmd) Prkdc(scid)/J (Scid/BLA/J) mice. Nonviral gene delivery of full-length human dysferlin into muscle cells, along with a successful and efficient transplantation into skeletal muscle are important advances towards successful gene therapy of dysferlin-deficient muscular dystrophy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helena Escobar
- Mobile DNA, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine of the Helmholtz Society, Berlin, Germany
| | - Verena Schöwel
- Muscle Research Unit, Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), a joint cooperation between the Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simone Spuler
- Muscle Research Unit, Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), a joint cooperation between the Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Marg
- Muscle Research Unit, Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), a joint cooperation between the Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany
| | - Zsuzsanna Izsvák
- Mobile DNA, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine of the Helmholtz Society, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Barthélémy F, Blouin C, Wein N, Mouly V, Courrier S, Dionnet E, Kergourlay V, Mathieu Y, Garcia L, Butler-Browne G, Lamaze C, Lévy N, Krahn M, Bartoli M. Exon 32 Skipping of Dysferlin Rescues Membrane Repair in Patients' Cells. J Neuromuscul Dis 2015; 2:281-290. [PMID: 27858744 PMCID: PMC5240545 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-150109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Dysferlinopathies are a family of disabling muscular dystrophies with LGMD2B and Miyoshi myopathy as the main phenotypes. They are associated with molecular defects in DYSF, which encodes dysferlin, a key player in sarcolemmal homeostasis. Previous investigations have suggested that exon skipping may be a promising therapy for a subset of patients with dysferlinopathies. Such an approach aims to rescue functional proteins when targeting modular proteins and specific tissues. We sought to evaluate the dysferlin functional recovery following exon 32 skipping in the cells of affected patients. Exon skipping efficacy was characterized at several levels by use of in vitro myotube formation assays and quantitative membrane repair and recovery tests. Data obtained from these assessments confirmed that dysferlin function is rescued by quasi-dysferlin expression in treated patient cells, supporting the case for a therapeutic antisense-based trial in a subset of dysferlin-deficient patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Barthélémy
- Aix Marseille Universit é, UMR S 910, Facult é de Médecine de la Timone, Marseille, France.,GMGF, INSERM UMR_ S 910, Marseille, France
| | - Cédric Blouin
- CNRS UMR 144, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris Cedex 05, France.,Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Laboratoire Trafic, Signalisation et Ciblage Intracellulaires, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Nicolas Wein
- Aix Marseille Universit é, UMR S 910, Facult é de Médecine de la Timone, Marseille, France.,GMGF, INSERM UMR_ S 910, Marseille, France
| | - Vincent Mouly
- INSERM UMR_S 974, Institut de Myologie, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR7215, Institut de Myologie, Paris, France.,Universit é Pierre et Marie Curie, UM76, Paris, France
| | - Sébastien Courrier
- Aix Marseille Universit é, UMR S 910, Facult é de Médecine de la Timone, Marseille, France.,GMGF, INSERM UMR_ S 910, Marseille, France
| | - Eugénie Dionnet
- Aix Marseille Universit é, UMR S 910, Facult é de Médecine de la Timone, Marseille, France.,GMGF, INSERM UMR_ S 910, Marseille, France
| | - Virginie Kergourlay
- Aix Marseille Universit é, UMR S 910, Facult é de Médecine de la Timone, Marseille, France.,GMGF, INSERM UMR_ S 910, Marseille, France
| | - Yves Mathieu
- Aix Marseille Universit é, UMR S 910, Facult é de Médecine de la Timone, Marseille, France.,GMGF, INSERM UMR_ S 910, Marseille, France
| | - Luis Garcia
- INSERM UMR_S 974, Institut de Myologie, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR7215, Institut de Myologie, Paris, France.,Universit é Versailles-Saint-Quentin, Versailles, France
| | - Gillian Butler-Browne
- INSERM UMR_S 974, Institut de Myologie, Paris, France.,CNRS, UMR7215, Institut de Myologie, Paris, France.,Universit é Pierre et Marie Curie, UM76, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Lamaze
- CNRS UMR 144, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris Cedex 05, France.,Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, Laboratoire Trafic, Signalisation et Ciblage Intracellulaires, 26 rue d'Ulm, Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Nicolas Lévy
- Aix Marseille Universit é, UMR S 910, Facult é de Médecine de la Timone, Marseille, France.,GMGF, INSERM UMR_ S 910, Marseille, France.,AP-HM, Hôpital d'Enfants de la Timone, Département de Génétique Médicale et de Biologie Cellulaire, Marseille, France
| | - Martin Krahn
- Aix Marseille Universit é, UMR S 910, Facult é de Médecine de la Timone, Marseille, France.,GMGF, INSERM UMR_ S 910, Marseille, France.,AP-HM, Hôpital d'Enfants de la Timone, Département de Génétique Médicale et de Biologie Cellulaire, Marseille, France
| | - Marc Bartoli
- Aix Marseille Universit é, UMR S 910, Facult é de Médecine de la Timone, Marseille, France.,GMGF, INSERM UMR_ S 910, Marseille, France.,AP-HM, Hôpital d'Enfants de la Timone, Département de Génétique Médicale et de Biologie Cellulaire, Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kergourlay V, Raï G, Blandin G, Salgado D, Béroud C, Lévy N, Krahn M, Bartoli M. Identification of Splicing Defects Caused by Mutations in the Dysferlin Gene. Hum Mutat 2014; 35:1532-41. [DOI: 10.1002/humu.22710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Kergourlay
- Aix Marseille Université; GMGF; Marseille 13385 France
- Inserm, UMR_S 910; Marseille 13385 France
| | - Ghadi Raï
- Aix Marseille Université; GMGF; Marseille 13385 France
- Inserm, UMR_S 910; Marseille 13385 France
| | - Gaëlle Blandin
- Aix Marseille Université; GMGF; Marseille 13385 France
- Inserm, UMR_S 910; Marseille 13385 France
| | - David Salgado
- Aix Marseille Université; GMGF; Marseille 13385 France
- Inserm, UMR_S 910; Marseille 13385 France
| | - Christophe Béroud
- Aix Marseille Université; GMGF; Marseille 13385 France
- Inserm, UMR_S 910; Marseille 13385 France
- Département de Génétique Médicale et de Biologie Cellulaire; AP-HM, Hôpital d'Enfants de la Timone; Marseille 13385 France
| | - Nicolas Lévy
- Aix Marseille Université; GMGF; Marseille 13385 France
- Inserm, UMR_S 910; Marseille 13385 France
- Département de Génétique Médicale et de Biologie Cellulaire; AP-HM, Hôpital d'Enfants de la Timone; Marseille 13385 France
| | - Martin Krahn
- Aix Marseille Université; GMGF; Marseille 13385 France
- Inserm, UMR_S 910; Marseille 13385 France
- Département de Génétique Médicale et de Biologie Cellulaire; AP-HM, Hôpital d'Enfants de la Timone; Marseille 13385 France
| | - Marc Bartoli
- Aix Marseille Université; GMGF; Marseille 13385 France
- Inserm, UMR_S 910; Marseille 13385 France
- Département de Génétique Médicale et de Biologie Cellulaire; AP-HM, Hôpital d'Enfants de la Timone; Marseille 13385 France
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Dominov JA, Uyan O, Sapp PC, McKenna-Yasek D, Nallamilli BRR, Hegde M, Brown RH. A novel dysferlin mutant pseudoexon bypassed with antisense oligonucleotides. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2014; 1:703-20. [PMID: 25493284 PMCID: PMC4241797 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Revised: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Mutations in dysferlin (DYSF), a Ca2+-sensitive ferlin family protein important for membrane repair, vesicle trafficking, and T-tubule function, cause Miyoshi myopathy, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B, and distal myopathy. More than 330 pathogenic DYSF mutations have been identified within exons or near exon–intron junctions. In ~17% of patients who lack normal DYSF, only a single disease-causing mutation has been identified. We studied one family with one known mutant allele to identify both the second underlying genetic defect and potential therapeutic approaches. Methods We sequenced the full DYSF cDNA and investigated antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) as a tool to modify splicing of the mRNA transcripts in order to process out mutant sequences. Results We identified a novel pseudoexon between exons 44 and 45, (pseudoexon 44.1, PE44.1), which inserts an additional 177 nucleotides into the mRNA and 59 amino acids within the conserved C2F domain of the DYSF protein. Two unrelated dysferlinopathy patients were also found to carry this mutation. Using AONs targeting PE44.1, we blocked the abnormal splicing event, yielding normal, full-length DYSF mRNA, and increased DYSF protein expression. Interpretation This is the first report of a deep intronic mutation in DYSF that alters mRNA splicing to include a mutant peptide fragment within a key DYSF domain. We report that AON-mediated exon-skipping restores production of normal, full-length DYSF in patients’ cells in vitro, offering hope that this approach will be therapeutic in this genetic context, and providing a foundation for AON therapeutics targeting other pathogenic DYSF alleles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Janice A Dominov
- Neurology Department, University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605
| | - Ozgün Uyan
- Neurology Department, University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605
| | - Peter C Sapp
- Neurology Department, University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605
| | - Diane McKenna-Yasek
- Neurology Department, University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605
| | - Babi R R Nallamilli
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, Georgia, 30322
| | - Madhuri Hegde
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, Georgia, 30322
| | - Robert H Brown
- Neurology Department, University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester, Massachusetts, 01605
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Azakir BA, Erne B, Di Fulvio S, Stirnimann G, Sinnreich M. Proteasome inhibitors increase missense mutated dysferlin in patients with muscular dystrophy. Sci Transl Med 2014; 6:250ra112. [DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3009612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
|
20
|
Mahmood OA, Jiang XM. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies: where next after six decades from the first proposal (Review). Mol Med Rep 2014; 9:1515-32. [PMID: 24626787 PMCID: PMC4020495 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.2048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Limb-girdle muscular dystrophies (LGMD) are a heterogeneous group of disorders, which has led to certain investigators disputing its rationality. The mutual feature of LGMD is limb-girdle affection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), perioral skin biopsies, blood-based assays, reverse-protein arrays, proteomic analyses, gene chips and next generation sequencing are the leading diagnostic techniques for LGMD and gene, cell and pharmaceutical treatments are the mainstay therapies for these genetic disorders. Recently, more highlights have been shed on disease biomarkers to follow up disease progression and to monitor therapeutic responsiveness in future trials. In this study, we review LGMD from a variety of aspects, paying specific attention to newly evolving research, with the purpose of bringing this information into the clinical setting to aid the development of novel therapeutic strategies for this hereditary disease. In conclusion, substantial progress in our ability to diagnose and treat LGMD has been made in recent decades, however enhancing our understanding of the detailed pathophysiology of LGMD may enhance our ability to improve disease outcome in subsequent years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Omar A Mahmood
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Xin Mei Jiang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Touznik A, Lee JJA, Yokota T. New developments in exon skipping and splice modulation therapies for neuromuscular diseases. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2014; 14:809-19. [PMID: 24620745 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2014.896335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antisense oligonucleotide (AON) therapy is a form of treatment for genetic or infectious diseases using small, synthetic DNA-like molecules called AONs. Recent advances in the development of AONs that show improved stability and increased sequence specificity have led to clinical trials for several neuromuscular diseases. Impressive preclinical and clinical data are published regarding the usage of AONs in exon-skipping and splice modulation strategies to increase dystrophin production in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and survival of motor neuron (SMN) production in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). AREAS COVERED In this review, we focus on the current progress and challenges of exon-skipping and splice modulation therapies. In addition, we discuss the recent failure of the Phase III clinical trials of exon 51 skipping (drisapersen) for DMD. EXPERT OPINION The main approach of AON therapy in DMD and SMA is to rescue ('knock up' or increase) target proteins through exon skipping or exon inclusion; conversely, most conventional antisense drugs are designed to knock down (inhibit) the target. Encouraging preclinical data using this 'knock up' approach are also reported to rescue dysferlinopathies, including limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B, Miyoshi myopathy, distal myopathy with anterior tibial onset and Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksander Touznik
- University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Medical Genetics , Edmonton, Alberta , Canada
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Meregalli M, Navarro C, Sitzia C, Farini A, Montani E, Wein N, Razini P, Beley C, Cassinelli L, Parolini D, Belicchi M, Parazzoli D, Garcia L, Torrente Y. Full-length dysferlin expression driven by engineered human dystrophic blood derived CD133+ stem cells. FEBS J 2013; 280:6045-60. [PMID: 24028392 DOI: 10.1111/febs.12523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Revised: 09/02/2013] [Accepted: 09/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The protein dysferlin is abundantly expressed in skeletal and cardiac muscles, where its main function is membrane repair. Mutations in the dysferlin gene are involved in two autosomal recessive muscular dystrophies: Miyoshi myopathy and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B. Development of effective therapies remains a great challenge. Strategies to repair the dysferlin gene by skipping mutated exons, using antisense oligonucleotides (AONs), may be suitable only for a subset of mutations, while cell and gene therapy can be extended to all mutations. AON-treated blood-derived CD133+ stem cells isolated from patients with Miyoshi myopathy led to partial dysferlin reconstitution in vitro but failed to express dysferlin after intramuscular transplantation into scid/blAJ dysferlin null mice. We thus extended these experiments producing the full-length dysferlin mediated by a lentiviral vector in blood-derived CD133+ stem cells isolated from the same patients. Transplantation of engineered blood-derived CD133+ stem cells into scid/blAJ mice resulted in sufficient dysferlin expression to correct functional deficits in skeletal muscle membrane repair. Our data suggest for the first time that lentivirus-mediated delivery of full-length dysferlin in stem cells isolated from Miyoshi myopathy patients could represent an alternative therapeutic approach for treatment of dysferlinopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirella Meregalli
- Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Centro Dino Ferrari, Milano, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Antisense therapy in neurology. J Pers Med 2013; 3:144-76. [PMID: 25562650 PMCID: PMC4251390 DOI: 10.3390/jpm3030144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Revised: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense therapy is an approach to fighting diseases using short DNA-like molecules called antisense oligonucleotides. Recently, antisense therapy has emerged as an exciting and promising strategy for the treatment of various neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders. Previous and ongoing pre-clinical and clinical trials have provided encouraging early results. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), Huntington’s disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), dysferlinopathy (including limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 2B; LGMD2B, Miyoshi myopathy; MM, and distal myopathy with anterior tibial onset; DMAT), and myotonic dystrophy (DM) are all reported to be promising targets for antisense therapy. This paper focuses on the current progress of antisense therapies in neurology.
Collapse
|
24
|
Azakir BA, Di Fulvio S, Salomon S, Brockhoff M, Therrien C, Sinnreich M. Modular dispensability of dysferlin C2 domains reveals rational design for mini-dysferlin molecules. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:27629-36. [PMID: 22736764 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.391722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysferlin is a large transmembrane protein composed of a C-terminal transmembrane domain, two DysF domains, and seven C2 domains that mediate lipid- and protein-binding interactions. Recessive loss-of-function mutations in dysferlin lead to muscular dystrophies, for which no treatment is currently available. The large size of dysferlin precludes its encapsulation into an adeno-associated virus (AAV), the vector of choice for gene delivery to muscle. To design mini-dysferlin molecules suitable for AAV-mediated gene transfer, we tested internally truncated dysferlin constructs, each lacking one of the seven C2 domains, for their ability to localize to the plasma membrane and to repair laser-induced plasmalemmal wounds in dysferlin-deficient human myoblasts. We demonstrate that the dysferlin C2B, C2C, C2D, and C2E domains are dispensable for correct plasmalemmal localization. Furthermore, we show that the C2B, C2C, and C2E domains and, to a lesser extent, the C2D domain are dispensable for dysferlin membrane repair function. On the basis of these results, we designed small dysferlin molecules that can localize to the plasma membrane and reseal laser-induced plasmalemmal injuries and that are small enough to be incorporated into AAV. These results lay the groundwork for AAV-mediated gene therapy experiments in dysferlin-deficient mouse models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bilal A Azakir
- Neuromuscular Research Group, Departments of Neurology and Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Azakir BA, Di Fulvio S, Kinter J, Sinnreich M. Proteasomal inhibition restores biological function of mis-sense mutated dysferlin in patient-derived muscle cells. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:10344-10354. [PMID: 22318734 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.329078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysferlin is a transmembrane protein implicated in surface membrane repair of muscle cells. Mutations in dysferlin cause the progressive muscular dystrophies Miyoshi myopathy, limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2B, and distal anterior compartment myopathy. Dysferlinopathies are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, and many patients with this disease harbor mis-sense mutations in at least one of their two pathogenic DYSF alleles. These patients have significantly reduced or absent dysferlin levels in skeletal muscle, suggesting that dysferlin encoded by mis-sense alleles is rapidly degraded by the cellular quality control system. We reasoned that mis-sense mutated dysferlin, if salvaged from degradation, might be biologically functional. We used a dysferlin-deficient human myoblast culture harboring the common R555W mis-sense allele and a DYSF-null allele, as well as control human myoblast cultures harboring either two wild-type or two null alleles. We measured dysferlin protein and mRNA levels, resealing kinetics of laser-induced plasmalemmal wounds, myotube formation, and cellular viability after treatment of the human myoblast cultures with the proteasome inhibitors lactacystin or bortezomib (Velcade). We show that endogenous R555W mis-sense mutated dysferlin is degraded by the proteasomal system. Inhibition of the proteasome by lactacystin or Velcade increases the levels of R555W mis-sense mutated dysferlin. This salvaged protein is functional as it restores plasma membrane resealing in patient-derived myoblasts and reverses their deficit in myotube formation. Bortezomib and lactacystin did not cause cellular toxicity at the regimen used. Our results raise the possibility that inhibition of the degradation pathway of mis-sense mutated dysferlin could be used as a therapeutic strategy for patients harboring certain dysferlin mis-sense mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bilal A Azakir
- Neuromuscular Research Group, Departments of Neurology and Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Di Fulvio
- Neuromuscular Research Group, Departments of Neurology and Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jochen Kinter
- Neuromuscular Research Group, Departments of Neurology and Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Sinnreich
- Neuromuscular Research Group, Departments of Neurology and Biomedicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Abstract
Our knowledge about human genes and the consequences of mutations leading to human genetic diseases has drastically improved over the last few years. It has been recognized that many mutations are indeed pathogenic because they impact the mRNA rather than the protein itself. With our better understanding of the very complex mechanism of splicing, various bioinformatics tools have been developed. They are now frequently used not only to search for sequence motifs corresponding to splicing signals (splice sites, branch points, ESE, and ESS) but also to predict the impact of mutations on these signals. We now need to address the impact of mutations that affect the splicing process, as their consequences could vary from the activation of cryptic signals to the skipping of one or multiple exons. Despite the major developments of the bioinformatics field coupled to experimental data generated on splicing, it is today still not possible to efficiently predict the consequences of mutations impacting splicing signals, especially to predict if they will lead to exon skipping or to cryptic splice site activation.
Collapse
|
27
|
172nd ENMC International Workshop: dysferlinopathies 29-31 January 2010, Naarden, The Netherlands. Neuromuscul Disord 2011; 21:503-12. [PMID: 21602046 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2011.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2011] [Revised: 04/06/2011] [Accepted: 04/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
28
|
Barthélémy F, Wein N, Krahn M, Lévy N, Bartoli M. Translational research and therapeutic perspectives in dysferlinopathies. Mol Med 2011; 17:875-82. [PMID: 21556485 DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2011.00084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2011] [Accepted: 05/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysferlinopathies are autosomal recessive disorders caused by mutations in the dysferlin (DYSF) gene, encoding the dysferlin protein. DYSF mutations lead to a wide range of muscular phenotypes, with the most prominent being Miyoshi myopathy (MM) and limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B) and the second most common being LGMD. Symptoms generally appear at the end of childhood and, although disease progression is typically slow, walking impairments eventually result. Dysferlin is a modular type II transmembrane protein for which numerous binding partners have been identified. Although dysferlin function is only partially elucidated, this large protein contains seven calcium sensor C2 domains, shown to play a key role in muscle membrane repair. On the basis of this major function, along with detailed clinical observations, it has been possible to design various therapeutic approaches for dysferlin-deficient patients. Among them, exon-skipping and minigene transfer strategies have been evaluated at the preclinical level and, to date, represent promising approaches for clinical trials. This review aims to summarize the pathophysiology of dysferlinopathies and to evaluate the therapeutic potential for treatments currently under development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Barthélémy
- University of the Mediterranean, Marseille Medical School, Marseille, France Inserm UMR_S 910 Medical Genetics and Functional Genomics Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
29
|
van Putten M, Aartsma-Rus A. Opportunities and challenges for the development of antisense treatment in neuromuscular disorders. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2011; 11:1025-37. [PMID: 21510827 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2011.579098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuromuscular disorders are diseases of the musculature and/or the nervous system, generally leading to loss of muscle function. They are a frequent cause of disability and treatment options are often only symptomatic. Interestingly, for a number of neuromuscular disorders the application of antisense oligonucleotides has therapeutic potential. AREAS COVERED The authors describe how this approach is exploited for different neuromuscular diseases, focusing on literature published in the past 10 years. For each disease the opportunities of this approach, the state of the art, and current challenges are described. EXPERT OPINION A lot of progress has been made in the development of antisense-mediated approaches during recent years and they may become clinically applicable in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maaike van Putten
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Human Genetics, The Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
30
|
Albrecht DE, Garg N, Rufibach LE, Williams BA, Monnier N, Hwang E, Mittal P. 4th Annual Dysferlin Conference 11–14 September 2010, Washington, USA. Neuromuscul Disord 2011; 21:304-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2011.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
31
|
Krahn M, Wein N, Bartoli M, Lostal W, Courrier S, Bourg-Alibert N, Nguyen K, Vial C, Streichenberger N, Labelle V, DePetris D, Pécheux C, Leturcq F, Cau P, Richard I, Lévy N. A naturally occurring human minidysferlin protein repairs sarcolemmal lesions in a mouse model of dysferlinopathy. Sci Transl Med 2011; 2:50ra69. [PMID: 20861509 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3000951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Dysferlinopathies are autosomal recessive, progressive muscle dystrophies caused by mutations in DYSF, leading to a loss or a severe reduction of dysferlin, a key protein in sarcolemmal repair. Currently, no etiological treatment is available for patients affected with dysferlinopathy. As for other muscular dystrophies, gene therapy approaches based on recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors are promising options. However, because dysferlin messenger RNA is far above the natural packaging size of rAAV, full-length dysferlin gene transfer would be problematic. In a patient presenting with a late-onset moderate dysferlinopathy, we identified a large homozygous deletion, leading to the production of a natural "minidysferlin" protein. Using rAAV-mediated gene transfer into muscle, we demonstrated targeting of the minidysferlin to the muscle membrane and efficient repair of sarcolemmal lesions in a mouse model of dysferlinopathy. Thus, as previously demonstrated in the case of dystrophin, a deletion mutant of the dysferlin gene is also functional, suggesting that dysferlin's structure is modular. This minidysferlin protein could be used as part of a therapeutic strategy for patients affected with dysferlinopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Krahn
- Inserm UMR_S 910, Génétique Médicale et Génomique Fonctionnelle, Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, Université de la Méditerranée, 13005 Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Lévy N, Wein N, Barthelemy F, Mouly V, Garcia L, Krahn M, Bartoli M. Therapeutic exon 'switching' for dysferlinopathies? Eur J Hum Genet 2010; 18:969-70; author reply 971. [PMID: 20512160 PMCID: PMC2987414 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2010.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Lévy
- Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, Université de la Méditerranée, Inserm UMR_S 910 ‘Génétique Médicale et Génomique Fonctionnelle', Marseille, France
- AP-HM, Département de Génétique Médicale, Hôpital d'enfants de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Nicolas Wein
- Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, Université de la Méditerranée, Inserm UMR_S 910 ‘Génétique Médicale et Génomique Fonctionnelle', Marseille, France
| | - Florian Barthelemy
- Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, Université de la Méditerranée, Inserm UMR_S 910 ‘Génétique Médicale et Génomique Fonctionnelle', Marseille, France
| | - Vincent Mouly
- Institut de Myologie, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris 6/Inserm UMR_S 974, CNRS UMR 7215, Paris, France
| | - Luis Garcia
- Institut de Myologie, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Université Pierre et Marie Curie/Paris 6/Inserm UMR_S 974, CNRS UMR 7215, Paris, France
| | - Martin Krahn
- Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, Université de la Méditerranée, Inserm UMR_S 910 ‘Génétique Médicale et Génomique Fonctionnelle', Marseille, France
- AP-HM, Département de Génétique Médicale, Hôpital d'enfants de la Timone, Marseille, France
| | - Marc Bartoli
- Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, Université de la Méditerranée, Inserm UMR_S 910 ‘Génétique Médicale et Génomique Fonctionnelle', Marseille, France
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
|
34
|
Wein N, Avril A, Bartoli M, Beley C, Chaouch S, Laforêt P, Behin A, Butler-Browne G, Mouly V, Krahn M, Garcia L, Lévy N. Efficient bypass of mutations in dysferlin deficient patient cells by antisense-induced exon skipping. Hum Mutat 2010; 31:136-42. [PMID: 19953532 DOI: 10.1002/humu.21160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in DYSF encoding dysferlin cause primary dysferlinopathies, autosomal recessive diseases that mainly present clinically as Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy type 2B and Miyoshi myopathy. More than 350 different sequence variants have been reported in DYSF. Like dystrophin, the size of the dysferlin mRNA is above the limited packaging size of AAV vectors. Alternative strategies to AAV gene transfer in muscle cells must then be addressed for patients. A gene therapy approach for Duchenne muscular dystrophy was recently developed, based on exon-skipping strategy. Numerous sequences are recognized by splicing protein complexes and, when specifically blocked by antisense oligoucleotides (AON), the corresponding exon is skipped. We hypothesized that this approach could be useful for patients affected with dysferlinopathies. To confirm this assumption, exon 32 was selected as a prioritary target for exon skipping strategy. This option was initially driven by the report from Sinnreich and colleagues of a patient with a very mild and late-onset phenotype associated to a natural skipping of exon 32. Three different antisense oligonucleotides were tested in myoblasts generated from control and patient MyoD transduced fibroblasts, either as oligonucleotides or after incorporation into lentiviral vectors. These approaches led to a high efficiency of exon 32 skipping. Therefore, these results seem promising, and could be applied to several other exons in the DYSF gene. Patients carrying mutations in exons whose the in-frame suppression has been proven to have no major consequences on the protein function, might benefit of exon-skipping based gene correction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Wein
- Université de la Méditerranée, Inserm UMR_S 910 Génétique Médicale et Génomique Fonctionnelle, Faculté de Médecine de Marseille, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
35
|
Khan SG, Yamanegi K, Zheng ZM, Boyle J, Imoto K, Oh KS, Baker CC, Gozukara E, Metin A, Kraemer KH. XPC branch-point sequence mutations disrupt U2 snRNP binding, resulting in abnormal pre-mRNA splicing in xeroderma pigmentosum patients. Hum Mutat 2010; 31:167-75. [PMID: 19953607 DOI: 10.1002/humu.21166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in two branch-point sequences (BPS) in intron 3 of the XPC DNA repair gene affect pre-mRNA splicing in association with xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) with many skin cancers (XP101TMA) or no skin cancer (XP72TMA), respectively. To investigate the mechanism of these abnormalities we now report that transfection of minigenes with these mutations revealed abnormal XPC pre-mRNA splicing that mimicked pre-mRNA splicing in the patients' cells. DNA oligonucleotide-directed RNase H digestion demonstrated that mutations in these BPS disrupt U2 snRNP-BPS interaction. XP101TMA cells had no detectable XPC protein but XP72TMA had 29% of normal levels. A small amount of XPC protein was detected at sites of localized ultraviolet (UV)-damaged DNA in XP72TMA cells which then recruited other nucleotide excision repair (NER) proteins. In contrast, XP101TMA cells had no detectable recruitment of XPC or other NER proteins. Post-UV survival and photoproduct assays revealed greater reduction in DNA repair in XP101TMA cells than in XP72TMA. Thus mutations in XPC BPS resulted in disruption of U2 snRNP-BPS interaction leading to abnormal pre-mRNA splicing and reduced XPC protein. At the cellular level these changes were associated with features of reduced DNA repair including diminished NER protein recruitment, reduced post-UV survival and impaired photoproduct removal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sikandar G Khan
- Dermatology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Lostal W, Bartoli M, Bourg N, Roudaut C, Bentaïb A, Miyake K, Guerchet N, Fougerousse F, McNeil P, Richard I. Efficient recovery of dysferlin deficiency by dual adeno-associated vector-mediated gene transfer. Hum Mol Genet 2010; 19:1897-907. [PMID: 20154340 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddq065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficiency of the dysferlin protein presents as two major clinical phenotypes: limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B and Miyoshi myopathy. Dysferlin is known to participate in membrane repair, providing a potential hypothesis to the underlying pathophysiology of these diseases. The size of the dysferlin cDNA prevents its direct incorporation into an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector for therapeutic gene transfer into muscle. To bypass this limitation, we split the dysferlin cDNA at the exon 28/29 junction and cloned it into two independent AAV vectors carrying the appropriate splicing sequences. Intramuscular injection of the corresponding vectors into a dysferlin-deficient mouse model led to the expression of full-length dysferlin for at least 1 year. Importantly, systemic injection in the tail vein of the two vectors led to a widespread although weak expression of the full-length protein. Injections were associated with an improvement of the histological aspect of the muscle, a reduction in the number of necrotic fibers, restoration of membrane repair capacity and a global improvement in locomotor activity. Altogether, these data support the use of such a strategy for the treatment of dysferlin deficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William Lostal
- Généthon, CNRS UMR8587 LAMBE, 1, rue de l'Internationale, 91000 Evry, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
Abstract
Antisense-mediated exon skipping is a promising therapeutic approach for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) currently tested in clinical trials. The aim is to reframe dystrophin transcripts using antisense oligonucleotides (AONs). These hide an exon from the splicing machinery to induce exon skipping, restoration of the reading frame and generation of internally deleted, but partially functional proteins. It thus relies on the characteristic of the dystrophin protein, which has essential N- and C-terminal domains, whereas the central rod domain is largely redundant. This approach may also be applicable to limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B), Myoshi myopathy (MM) and distal myopathy with anterior tibial onset (DMAT), which are caused by mutations in the dysferlin-encoding DYSF gene. Dysferlin has a function in repairing muscle membrane damage. Dysferlin contains calcium-dependent C2 lipid binding (C2) domains and an essential transmembrane domain. However, mildly affected patients in whom one or a large number of DYSF exons were missing have been described, suggesting that internally deleted dysferlin proteins can be functional. Thus, exon skipping might also be applicable as a LGMD2B, MM and DMAT therapy. In this study we have analyzed the dysferlin protein domains and DYSF mutations and have described what exons are promising targets with regard to applicability and feasibility. We also show that DYSF exon skipping seems to be as straightforward as DMD exon skipping, as AONs to induce efficient skipping of four DYSF exons were readily identified.
Collapse
|
38
|
Albrecht DE, Garg N, Rufibach LE, Williams BA, Monnier N, Hwang E, Mittal P. 3rd Annual Dysferlin Conference 2-5 June 2009, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Neuromuscul Disord 2009; 19:867-73. [PMID: 19781937 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2009.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas E Albrecht
- Jain Foundation Inc., 2310 130th Ave. NE, Suite B101, Bellevue, Washington 98005, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Desmet FO, Hamroun D, Lalande M, Collod-Béroud G, Claustres M, Béroud C. Human Splicing Finder: an online bioinformatics tool to predict splicing signals. Nucleic Acids Res 2009; 37:e67. [PMID: 19339519 PMCID: PMC2685110 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkp215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1992] [Impact Index Per Article: 132.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Thousands of mutations are identified yearly. Although many directly affect protein expression, an increasing proportion of mutations is now believed to influence mRNA splicing. They mostly affect existing splice sites, but synonymous, non-synonymous or nonsense mutations can also create or disrupt splice sites or auxiliary cis-splicing sequences. To facilitate the analysis of the different mutations, we designed Human Splicing Finder (HSF), a tool to predict the effects of mutations on splicing signals or to identify splicing motifs in any human sequence. It contains all available matrices for auxiliary sequence prediction as well as new ones for binding sites of the 9G8 and Tra2-β Serine-Arginine proteins and the hnRNP A1 ribonucleoprotein. We also developed new Position Weight Matrices to assess the strength of 5′ and 3′ splice sites and branch points. We evaluated HSF efficiency using a set of 83 intronic and 35 exonic mutations known to result in splicing defects. We showed that the mutation effect was correctly predicted in almost all cases. HSF could thus represent a valuable resource for research, diagnostic and therapeutic (e.g. therapeutic exon skipping) purposes as well as for global studies, such as the GEN2PHEN European Project or the Human Variome Project.
Collapse
|
40
|
Klinge L, Dean A, Kress W, Dixon P, Charlton R, Müller J, Anderson L, Straub V, Barresi R, Lochmüller H, Bushby K. Late onset in dysferlinopathy widens the clinical spectrum. Neuromuscul Disord 2008; 18:288-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2008.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2007] [Revised: 12/18/2007] [Accepted: 01/10/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
|
41
|
Danièle N, Richard I, Bartoli M. Ins and outs of therapy in limb girdle muscular dystrophies. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2007; 39:1608-24. [PMID: 17339125 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2007.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2006] [Revised: 02/02/2007] [Accepted: 02/05/2007] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies are hereditary degenerative muscle diseases that cause life-long disability in patients. They comprise the well-known Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) but also the group of Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophies (LGMD) which account for a third to a fourth of DMD cases. From the clinical point of view, LGMD are characterised by predominant effects on the proximal limb muscles. The LGMD group is still growing today and consists of 19 autosomal dominant and recessive forms (LGMD1A to LGMD1G and LGMD2A to LGMD2M). The proteins involved are very diverse and include sarcomeric, sarcolemmal and enzymatic proteins. With respect to this variability and in line with the intense search for a potent therapeutic approach for DMD, many different strategies have been tested in rodent models. These include replacing the lost function by gene transfer or stem cell transplantation, using a related protein for functional substitution, increasing muscle mass, or blocking the molecular pathological mechanisms by pharmacological means to alleviate the symptoms. The purpose of this review is to summarize current data arising from these preclinical studies and to examine the potential of the tested strategies to lead to clinical applications.
Collapse
|
42
|
De Luna N, Freixas A, Gallano P, Caselles L, Rojas-García R, Paradas C, Nogales G, Dominguez-Perles R, Gonzalez-Quereda L, Vílchez JJ, Márquez C, Bautista J, Guerrero A, Salazar JA, Pou A, Illa I, Gallardo E. Dysferlin expression in monocytes: A source of mRNA for mutation analysis. Neuromuscul Disord 2007; 17:69-76. [PMID: 17070050 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2006.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2006] [Revised: 07/28/2006] [Accepted: 09/08/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Dysferlin protein is expressed in peripheral blood monocytes. The genomic analysis of the DYSF gene has proved to be time consuming because it has 55 exons. We designed a mutational screening strategy based on cDNA from monocytes to find out whether the mutational analysis could be performed in mRNA from a source less invasive than the muscle biopsy. We studied 34 patients from 23 families diagnosed with dysferlinopathy. The diagnosis was based on clinical findings and on the absence of protein expression using either immunohistochemistry or Western blot of skeletal muscle and/or monocytes. We identified 28 different mutations, 13 of which were novel. The DYSF mutations in both alleles were found in 30 patients and only in one allele in four. The results were confirmed using genomic DNA in 26/34 patients. This is the first report to furnish evidence of reliable mutational analysis using monocytes cDNA and constitutes a good alternative to genomic DNA analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N De Luna
- Servei de Neurologia i Laboratori de Neurologia Experimental, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau i Institut de Recerca de HSCSP, Universitat Autònoma, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Nielsen H, Johansen SD. A new RNA branching activity: the GIR1 ribozyme. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2006; 38:102-9. [PMID: 17188534 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2006.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2006] [Accepted: 11/07/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The formation of lariat intermediates during the first step of splicing of group II introns and spliceosomal introns is a well-studied fundamental reaction in molecular biology. Apart from this prominent example, there are surprisingly few occurrences of branched nucleotides or even 2',5'-phosphodiester bonds in biology. We recently described a new ribozyme, the GIR1 branching ribozyme, which catalyzes the formation of a tiny lariat that caps an mRNA. This new example together with work on artificial branching ribozymes and deoxyribozymes shows that branching is facile and points to the possibility that branching reactions could be more prevalent than previously recognized.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Nielsen
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Genetics, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Therrien C, Dodig D, Karpati G, Sinnreich M. Mutation impact on dysferlin inferred from database analysis and computer-based structural predictions. J Neurol Sci 2006; 250:71-8. [PMID: 16996541 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2006.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2006] [Revised: 07/06/2006] [Accepted: 07/09/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Dysferlin is a large sarcolemmal protein implicated in the repair of surface membrane tears in muscle cells. Mutations in dysferlin result in limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B and Miyoshi myopathy. Using a cDNA based approach we identified eight new pathogenic dysferlin alleles. To better understand how missense mutations could lead to reduced or absent dysferlin expression levels, we mapped missense mutations from our own and from published databases (n=55) to the secondary protein structure of dysferlin, deduced by computerized structural prediction tools. We found the protein to be very sensitive to the alteration of residues that were predicted to be buried inside the protein structure. We identified seven putative C2 domains, one more than commonly reported, of both type I and type II topology in dysferlin. Missense mutations often affected those structures as well as residues that were highly conserved between members of the ferlin family. Thus, alteration of structurally important residues in dysferlin could lead to improper folding and degradation of the mutant protein.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Amino Acid Sequence/genetics
- Child
- Conserved Sequence
- DNA Mutational Analysis
- DNA, Complementary/analysis
- Dysferlin
- Evolution, Molecular
- Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics
- Humans
- Membrane Proteins/chemistry
- Membrane Proteins/genetics
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Muscle Proteins/chemistry
- Muscle Proteins/genetics
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology
- Muscular Dystrophies, Limb-Girdle/genetics
- Muscular Dystrophies, Limb-Girdle/metabolism
- Muscular Dystrophies, Limb-Girdle/physiopathology
- Mutation, Missense/genetics
- Phylogeny
- Protein Folding
- Protein Structure, Quaternary/genetics
- Protein Structure, Tertiary/genetics
- Proteomics
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Therrien
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, Quebec Canada H3A 2B4
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|