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Kalotay E, Klugmann M, Housley GD, Fröhlich D. Dominant aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase disorders: lessons learned from in vivo disease models. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1182845. [PMID: 37274211 PMCID: PMC10234151 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1182845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) play an essential role in protein synthesis, being responsible for ligating tRNA molecules to their corresponding amino acids in a reaction known as 'tRNA aminoacylation'. Separate ARSs carry out the aminoacylation reaction in the cytosol and in mitochondria, and mutations in almost all ARS genes cause pathophysiology most evident in the nervous system. Dominant mutations in multiple cytosolic ARSs have been linked to forms of peripheral neuropathy including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, distal hereditary motor neuropathy, and spinal muscular atrophy. This review provides an overview of approaches that have been employed to model each of these diseases in vivo, followed by a discussion of the existing animal models of dominant ARS disorders and key mechanistic insights that they have provided. In summary, ARS disease models have demonstrated that loss of canonical ARS function alone cannot fully account for the observed disease phenotypes, and that pathogenic ARS variants cause developmental defects within the peripheral nervous system, despite a typically later onset of disease in humans. In addition, aberrant interactions between mutant ARSs and other proteins have been shown to contribute to the disease phenotypes. These findings provide a strong foundation for future research into this group of diseases, providing methodological guidance for studies on ARS disorders that currently lack in vivo models, as well as identifying candidate therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Kalotay
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthias Klugmann
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Research Beyond Borders, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Gary D. Housley
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Dominik Fröhlich
- Translational Neuroscience Facility and Department of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Bonomo R, Cavaletti G, Skene DJ. Metabolomics markers in Neurology: current knowledge and future perspectives for therapeutic targeting. Expert Rev Neurother 2020; 20:725-738. [PMID: 32538242 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2020.1782746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Metabolomics is an emerging approach providing new insights into the metabolic changes and underlying mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. AREAS COVERED Here, the authors present an overview of the current knowledge of metabolic profiling (metabolomics) to provide critical insight on the role of biochemical markers and metabolic alterations in neurological diseases. EXPERT OPINION Elucidation of characteristic metabolic alterations in neurological disorders is crucial for a better understanding of their pathogenesis, and for identifying potential biomarkers and drug targets. Nevertheless, discrepancies in diagnostic criteria, sample handling protocols, and analytical methods still affect the generalizability of current study results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Bonomo
- Experimental Neurology Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca , Monza, Italy.,Chronobiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey , Guildford, UK
| | - Guido Cavaletti
- Experimental Neurology Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca , Monza, Italy
| | - Debra J Skene
- Chronobiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey , Guildford, UK
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5
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Morelli KH, Griffin LB, Pyne NK, Wallace LM, Fowler AM, Oprescu SN, Takase R, Wei N, Meyer-Schuman R, Mellacheruvu D, Kitzman JO, Kocen SG, Hines TJ, Spaulding EL, Lupski JR, Nesvizhskii A, Mancias P, Butler IJ, Yang XL, Hou YM, Antonellis A, Harper SQ, Burgess RW. Allele-specific RNA interference prevents neuropathy in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2D mouse models. J Clin Invest 2020; 129:5568-5583. [PMID: 31557132 DOI: 10.1172/jci130600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy approaches are being deployed to treat recessive genetic disorders by restoring the expression of mutated genes. However, the feasibility of these approaches for dominantly inherited diseases - where treatment may require reduction in the expression of a toxic mutant protein resulting from a gain-of-function allele - is unclear. Here we show the efficacy of allele-specific RNAi as a potential therapy for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2D (CMT2D), caused by dominant mutations in glycyl-tRNA synthetase (GARS). A de novo mutation in GARS was identified in a patient with a severe peripheral neuropathy, and a mouse model precisely recreating the mutation was produced. These mice developed a neuropathy by 3-4 weeks of age, validating the pathogenicity of the mutation. RNAi sequences targeting mutant GARS mRNA, but not wild-type, were optimized and then packaged into AAV9 for in vivo delivery. This almost completely prevented the neuropathy in mice treated at birth. Delaying treatment until after disease onset showed modest benefit, though this effect decreased the longer treatment was delayed. These outcomes were reproduced in a second mouse model of CMT2D using a vector specifically targeting that allele. The effects were dose dependent, and persisted for at least 1 year. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of AAV9-mediated allele-specific knockdown and provide proof of concept for gene therapy approaches for dominant neuromuscular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn H Morelli
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
| | - Laurie B Griffin
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, and.,Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Nettie K Pyne
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Lindsay M Wallace
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Allison M Fowler
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Stephanie N Oprescu
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Ryuichi Takase
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biochemistry, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Na Wei
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | | | - Dattatreya Mellacheruvu
- Department of Pathology, and.,Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jacob O Kitzman
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | | | - Emily L Spaulding
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
| | - James R Lupski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, and.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alexey Nesvizhskii
- Department of Pathology, and.,Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Pedro Mancias
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ian J Butler
- Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Xiang-Lei Yang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ya-Ming Hou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biochemistry, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anthony Antonellis
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, and.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Scott Q Harper
- Center for Gene Therapy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Robert W Burgess
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
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Boczonadi V, Jennings MJ, Horvath R. The role of tRNA synthetases in neurological and neuromuscular disorders. FEBS Lett 2018; 592:703-717. [PMID: 29288497 PMCID: PMC5873386 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are ubiquitously expressed enzymes responsible for charging tRNAs with their cognate amino acids, therefore essential for the first step in protein synthesis. Although the majority of protein synthesis happens in the cytosol, an additional translation apparatus is required to translate the 13 mitochondrial DNA‐encoded proteins important for oxidative phosphorylation. Most ARS genes in these cellular compartments are distinct, but two genes are common, encoding aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases of glycine (GARS) and lysine (KARS) in both mitochondria and the cytosol. Mutations in the majority of the 37 nuclear‐encoded human ARS genes have been linked to a variety of recessive and dominant tissue‐specific disorders. Current data indicate that impaired enzyme function could explain the pathogenicity, however not all pathogenic ARSs mutations result in deficient catalytic function; thus, the consequences of mutations may arise from other molecular mechanisms. The peripheral nerves are frequently affected, as illustrated by the high number of mutations in cytosolic and bifunctional tRNA synthetases causing Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT). Here we provide insights on the pathomechanisms of CMT‐causing tRNA synthetases with specific focus on the two bifunctional tRNA synthetases (GARS, KARS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Boczonadi
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Matthew J Jennings
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rita Horvath
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Oprescu SN, Griffin LB, Beg AA, Antonellis A. Predicting the pathogenicity of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase mutations. Methods 2016; 113:139-151. [PMID: 27876679 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2016.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2016] [Revised: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are ubiquitously expressed, essential enzymes responsible for charging tRNA with cognate amino acids-the first step in protein synthesis. ARSs are required for protein translation in the cytoplasm and mitochondria of all cells. Surprisingly, mutations in 28 of the 37 nuclear-encoded human ARS genes have been linked to a variety of recessive and dominant tissue-specific disorders. Current data indicate that impaired enzyme function is a robust predictor of the pathogenicity of ARS mutations. However, experimental model systems that distinguish between pathogenic and non-pathogenic ARS variants are required for implicating newly identified ARS mutations in disease. Here, we outline strategies to assist in predicting the pathogenicity of ARS variants and urge cautious evaluation of genetic and functional data prior to linking an ARS mutation to a human disease phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie N Oprescu
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Laurie B Griffin
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Medical Scientist Training Program, and University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Asim A Beg
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Anthony Antonellis
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.
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