1
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Mosbach V, Puccio H. A multiple animal and cellular models approach to study frataxin deficiency in Friedreich Ataxia. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119809. [PMID: 39134123 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2024.119809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is one of the most frequent inherited recessive ataxias characterized by a progressive sensory and spinocerebellar ataxia. The main causative mutation is a GAA repeat expansion in the first intron of the frataxin (FXN) gene which leads to a transcriptional silencing of the gene resulting in a deficit in FXN protein. The nature of the mutation (an unstable GAA expansion), as well as the multi-systemic nature of the disease (with neural and non-neural sites affected) make the generation of models for Friedreich's ataxia quite challenging. Over the years, several cellular and animal models for FA have been developed. These models are all complementary and possess their own strengths to investigate different aspects of the disease, such as the epigenetics of the locus or the pathophysiology of the disease, as well as being used to developed novel therapeutic approaches. This review will explore the recent advancements in the different mammalian models developed for FA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentine Mosbach
- Institut NeuroMyoGene-PGNM UCBL-CNRS UMR5261 INSERM U1315, Lyon, France
| | - Hélène Puccio
- Institut NeuroMyoGene-PGNM UCBL-CNRS UMR5261 INSERM U1315, Lyon, France.
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2
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Lu J, Qian S, Sun Z. Targeting histone deacetylase in cardiac diseases. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1405569. [PMID: 38983721 PMCID: PMC11232433 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1405569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDAC) catalyze the removal of acetylation modifications on histones and non-histone proteins, which regulates gene expression and other cellular processes. HDAC inhibitors (HDACi), approved anti-cancer agents, emerge as a potential new therapy for heart diseases. Cardioprotective effects of HDACi are observed in many preclinical animal models of heart diseases. Genetic mouse models have been developed to understand the role of each HDAC in cardiac functions. Some of the findings are controversial. Here, we provide an overview of how HDACi and HDAC impact cardiac functions under physiological or pathological conditions. We focus on in vivo studies of zinc-dependent classical HDACs, emphasizing disease conditions involving cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic reperfusion (I/R) injury, and heart failure. In particular, we review how non-biased omics studies can help our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the cardiac effects of HDACi and HDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sichong Qian
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Zheng Sun
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
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3
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Barrett AK, Shingare MR, Rechtsteiner A, Rodriguez KM, Le QN, Wijeratne TU, Mitchell CE, Membreno MW, Rubin SM, Müller GA. HDAC activity is dispensable for repression of cell-cycle genes by DREAM and E2F:RB complexes. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4450. [PMID: 38789411 PMCID: PMC11126580 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48724-0] [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: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play a crucial role in transcriptional regulation and are implicated in various diseases, including cancer. They are involved in histone tail deacetylation and canonically linked to transcriptional repression. Previous studies suggested that HDAC recruitment to cell-cycle gene promoters via the retinoblastoma (RB) protein or the DREAM complex through SIN3B is essential for G1/S and G2/M gene repression during cell-cycle arrest and exit. Here we investigate the interplay among DREAM, RB, SIN3 proteins, and HDACs in the context of cell-cycle gene repression. Knockout of SIN3B does not globally derepress cell-cycle genes in non-proliferating HCT116 and C2C12 cells. Loss of SIN3A/B moderately upregulates several cell-cycle genes in HCT116 cells but does so independently of DREAM/RB. HDAC inhibition does not induce general upregulation of RB/DREAM target genes in arrested transformed or non-transformed cells. Our findings suggest that E2F:RB and DREAM complexes can repress cell-cycle genes without relying on HDAC activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison K Barrett
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Manisha R Shingare
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Andreas Rechtsteiner
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Kelsie M Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Quynh N Le
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Tilini U Wijeratne
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Corbin E Mitchell
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Miles W Membreno
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Seth M Rubin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
| | - Gerd A Müller
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
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4
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Curcio A, Rocca R, Alcaro S, Artese A. The Histone Deacetylase Family: Structural Features and Application of Combined Computational Methods. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:620. [PMID: 38794190 PMCID: PMC11124352 DOI: 10.3390/ph17050620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are crucial in gene transcription, removing acetyl groups from histones. They also influence the deacetylation of non-histone proteins, contributing to the regulation of various biological processes. Thus, HDACs play pivotal roles in various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and inflammatory conditions, highlighting their potential as therapeutic targets. This paper reviews the structure and function of the four classes of human HDACs. While four HDAC inhibitors are currently available for treating hematological malignancies, numerous others are undergoing clinical trials. However, their non-selective toxicity necessitates ongoing research into safer and more efficient class-selective or isoform-selective inhibitors. Computational methods have aided the discovery of HDAC inhibitors with the desired potency and/or selectivity. These methods include ligand-based approaches, such as scaffold hopping, pharmacophore modeling, three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationships, and structure-based virtual screening (molecular docking). Moreover, recent developments in the field of molecular dynamics simulations, combined with Poisson-Boltzmann/molecular mechanics generalized Born surface area techniques, have improved the prediction of ligand binding affinity. In this review, we delve into the ways in which these methods have contributed to designing and identifying HDAC inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Curcio
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Campus “S. Venuta”, Università degli Studi “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.C.); (S.A.); (A.A.)
| | - Roberta Rocca
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Campus “S. Venuta”, Università degli Studi “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.C.); (S.A.); (A.A.)
- Net4Science S.r.l., Università degli Studi “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Stefano Alcaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Campus “S. Venuta”, Università degli Studi “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.C.); (S.A.); (A.A.)
- Net4Science S.r.l., Università degli Studi “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Anna Artese
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Campus “S. Venuta”, Università degli Studi “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (A.C.); (S.A.); (A.A.)
- Net4Science S.r.l., Università degli Studi “Magna Græcia” di Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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5
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Bhat MA, Dhaneshwar S. Neurodegenerative Diseases: New Hopes and Perspectives. Curr Mol Med 2024; 24:1004-1032. [PMID: 37691199 DOI: 10.2174/1566524023666230907093451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and Friedrich ataxia are all incurable neurodegenerative diseases defined by the continuous progressive loss of distinct neuronal subtypes. Despite their rising prevalence among the world's ageing population, fewer advances have been made in the concurrent massive efforts to develop newer drugs. Recently, there has been a shift in research focus towards the discovery of new therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we have summarized the recently developed therapies and their status in the management of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Aadil Bhat
- Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Lucknow, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Noida, UP, India
| | - Suneela Dhaneshwar
- Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University Maharashtra, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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6
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Krasilnikova MM, Humphries CL, Shinsky EM. Friedreich's ataxia: new insights. Emerg Top Life Sci 2023; 7:313-323. [PMID: 37698160 DOI: 10.1042/etls20230017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is an inherited disease that is typically caused by GAA repeat expansion within the first intron of the FXN gene coding for frataxin. This results in the frataxin deficiency that affects mostly muscle, nervous, and cardiovascular systems with progressive worsening of the symptoms over the years. This review summarizes recent progress that was achieved in understanding of molecular mechanism of the disease over the last few years and latest treatment strategies focused on overcoming the frataxin deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Krasilnikova
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - Casey L Humphries
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
| | - Emily M Shinsky
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, U.S.A
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7
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Barrett A, Shingare MR, Rechtsteiner A, Wijeratne TU, Rodriguez KM, Rubin SM, Müller GA. HDAC activity is dispensable for repression of cell-cycle genes by DREAM and E2F:RB complexes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.28.564489. [PMID: 37961464 PMCID: PMC10634886 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.28.564489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are pivotal in transcriptional regulation, and their dysregulation has been associated with various diseases including cancer. One of the critical roles of HDAC-containing complexes is the deacetylation of histone tails, which is canonically linked to transcriptional repression. Previous research has indicated that HDACs are recruited to cell-cycle gene promoters through the RB protein or the DREAM complex via SIN3B and that HDAC activity is essential for repressing G1/S and G2/M cell-cycle genes during cell-cycle arrest and exit. In this study, we sought to explore the interdependence of DREAM, RB, SIN3 proteins, and HDACs in the context of cell-cycle gene repression. We found that genetic knockout of SIN3B did not lead to derepression of cell-cycle genes in non-proliferating HCT116 and C2C12 cells. A combined loss of SIN3A and SIN3B resulted in a moderate upregulation in mRNA expression of several cell-cycle genes in arrested HCT116 cells, however, these effects appeared to be independent of DREAM or RB. Furthermore, HDAC inhibition did not induce a general upregulation of RB and DREAM target gene expression in arrested transformed or non-transformed cells. Our findings provide evidence that E2F:RB and DREAM complexes can repress cell-cycle genes without reliance on HDAC activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Barrett
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
- Current Affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Manisha R. Shingare
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Andreas Rechtsteiner
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Tilini U. Wijeratne
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
- Current Affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Kelsie M. Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Seth M. Rubin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
| | - Gerd A. Müller
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, USA
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8
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Maheshwari S, Vilema-Enríquez G, Wade-Martins R. Patient-derived iPSC models of Friedreich ataxia: a new frontier for understanding disease mechanisms and therapeutic application. Transl Neurodegener 2023; 12:45. [PMID: 37726850 PMCID: PMC10510273 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-023-00376-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a rare genetic multisystem disorder caused by a pathological GAA trinucleotide repeat expansion in the FXN gene. The numerous drawbacks of historical cellular and rodent models of FRDA have caused difficulty in performing effective mechanistic and translational studies to investigate the disease. The recent discovery and subsequent development of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology provides an exciting platform to enable enhanced disease modelling for studies of rare genetic diseases. Utilising iPSCs, researchers have created phenotypically relevant and previously inaccessible cellular models of FRDA. These models enable studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying GAA-induced pathology, as well as providing an exciting tool for the screening and testing of novel disease-modifying therapies. This review explores how the use of iPSCs to study FRDA has developed over the past decade, as well as discussing the enormous therapeutic potentials of iPSC-derived models, their current limitations and their future direction within the field of FRDA research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saumya Maheshwari
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Gabriela Vilema-Enríquez
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | - Richard Wade-Martins
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK.
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9
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Voicu V, Tataru CP, Toader C, Covache-Busuioc RA, Glavan LA, Bratu BG, Costin HP, Corlatescu AD, Ciurea AV. Decoding Neurodegeneration: A Comprehensive Review of Molecular Mechanisms, Genetic Influences, and Therapeutic Innovations. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13006. [PMID: 37629187 PMCID: PMC10455143 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241613006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders often acquire due to genetic predispositions and genomic alterations after exposure to multiple risk factors. The most commonly found pathologies are variations of dementia, such as frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body dementia, as well as rare subtypes of cerebral and cerebellar atrophy-based syndromes. In an emerging era of biomedical advances, molecular-cellular studies offer an essential avenue for a thorough recognition of the underlying mechanisms and their possible implications in the patient's symptomatology. This comprehensive review is focused on deciphering molecular mechanisms and the implications regarding those pathologies' clinical advancement and provides an analytical overview of genetic mutations in the case of neurodegenerative disorders. With the help of well-developed modern genetic investigations, these clinically complex disturbances are highly understood nowadays, being an important step in establishing molecularly targeted therapies and implementing those approaches in the physician's practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Voicu
- Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Psychopharmacology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania;
- Medical Section within the Romanian Academy, 010071 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Calin Petre Tataru
- Department of Opthamology, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
- Central Military Emergency Hospital “Dr. Carol Davila”, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Corneliu Toader
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (L.A.G.); (B.-G.B.); (H.P.C.); (A.D.C.); (A.V.C.)
- Department of Vascular Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurology and Neurovascular Diseases, 077160 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Razvan-Adrian Covache-Busuioc
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (L.A.G.); (B.-G.B.); (H.P.C.); (A.D.C.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Luca Andrei Glavan
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (L.A.G.); (B.-G.B.); (H.P.C.); (A.D.C.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Bogdan-Gabriel Bratu
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (L.A.G.); (B.-G.B.); (H.P.C.); (A.D.C.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Horia Petre Costin
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (L.A.G.); (B.-G.B.); (H.P.C.); (A.D.C.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Antonio Daniel Corlatescu
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (L.A.G.); (B.-G.B.); (H.P.C.); (A.D.C.); (A.V.C.)
| | - Alexandru Vlad Ciurea
- Department of Neurosurgery, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania; (R.-A.C.-B.); (L.A.G.); (B.-G.B.); (H.P.C.); (A.D.C.); (A.V.C.)
- Neurosurgery Department, Sanador Clinical Hospital, 010991 Bucharest, Romania
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10
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Geurs S, Clarisse D, De Bosscher K, D'hooghe M. The Zinc-Binding Group Effect: Lessons from Non-Hydroxamic Acid Vorinostat Analogs. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37276138 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are enzymes pursued as drug targets in various cancers and several non-oncological conditions, such as inflammation and neurodegenerative disorders. In the past decade, HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) have emerged as relevant pharmaceuticals, with many efforts devoted to the development of new representatives. However, the growing safety concerns regarding the established hydroxamic acid-based HDAC inhibitors tend to drive current research more toward the design of inhibitors bearing alternative zinc-binding groups (ZBGs). This Perspective presents an overview of all non-hydroxamic acid ZBGs that have been incorporated into the clinically approved prototypical HDACi, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (vorinostat). This provides the unique opportunity to compare the inhibition potential and biological effects of different ZBGs in a direct way, as the compounds selected for this Perspective differ only in their ZBG. To that end, different strategies used to select a ZBG, its properties, activity, and liabilities are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Geurs
- SynBioC Research Group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research, VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dorien Clarisse
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research, VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karolien De Bosscher
- Translational Nuclear Receptor Research, VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 75, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Matthias D'hooghe
- SynBioC Research Group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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11
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Keita M, McIntyre K, Rodden LN, Schadt K, Lynch DR. Friedreich ataxia: clinical features and new developments. Neurodegener Dis Manag 2022; 12:267-283. [PMID: 35766110 PMCID: PMC9517959 DOI: 10.2217/nmt-2022-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), a neurodegenerative disease characterized by ataxia and other neurological features, affects 1 in 50,000-100,000 individuals in the USA. However, FRDA also includes cardiac, orthopedic and endocrine dysfunction, giving rise to many secondary disease characteristics. The multifaceted approach for clinical care has necessitated the development of disease-specific clinical care guidelines. New developments in FRDA include the advancement of clinical drug trials targeting the NRF2 pathway and frataxin restoration. Additionally, a novel understanding of gene silencing in FRDA, reflecting a variegated silencing pattern, will have applications to current and future therapeutic interventions. Finally, new perspectives on the neuroanatomy of FRDA and its developmental features will refine the time course and anatomical targeting of novel approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Medina Keita
- Departments of Pediatrics & Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kellie McIntyre
- Departments of Pediatrics & Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Layne N Rodden
- Departments of Pediatrics & Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kim Schadt
- Departments of Pediatrics & Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David R Lynch
- Departments of Pediatrics & Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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12
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HDAC4 Inhibitors as Antivascular Senescence Therapeutics. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:3087916. [PMID: 35814270 PMCID: PMC9259336 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3087916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Aging is an inevitable consequence of life, and during this process, the epigenetic landscape changes and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation increases. Inevitably, these changes are common in many age-related diseases, including neurodegeneration, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. In the current research, histone deacetylation 4 (HDAC4) was studied as a potential therapeutic target in vascular senescence. HDAC4 is a specific class II histone deacetylation protein that participates in epigenetic modifications and deacetylation of heat shock proteins and various transcription factors. There is increasing evidence to support that HDAC4 is a potential therapeutic target, and developments in the synthesis and testing of HDAC4 inhibitors are now gaining interest from academia and the pharmaceutical industry.
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13
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Barbé L, Finkbeiner S. Genetic and Epigenetic Interplay Define Disease Onset and Severity in Repeat Diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:750629. [PMID: 35592702 PMCID: PMC9110800 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.750629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeat diseases, such as fragile X syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, Friedreich ataxia, Huntington disease, spinocerebellar ataxias, and some forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are caused by repetitive DNA sequences that are expanded in affected individuals. The age at which an individual begins to experience symptoms, and the severity of disease, are partially determined by the size of the repeat. However, the epigenetic state of the area in and around the repeat also plays an important role in determining the age of disease onset and the rate of disease progression. Many repeat diseases share a common epigenetic pattern of increased methylation at CpG islands near the repeat region. CpG islands are CG-rich sequences that are tightly regulated by methylation and are often found at gene enhancer or insulator elements in the genome. Methylation of CpG islands can inhibit binding of the transcriptional regulator CTCF, resulting in a closed chromatin state and gene down regulation. The downregulation of these genes leads to some disease-specific symptoms. Additionally, a genetic and epigenetic interplay is suggested by an effect of methylation on repeat instability, a hallmark of large repeat expansions that leads to increasing disease severity in successive generations. In this review, we will discuss the common epigenetic patterns shared across repeat diseases, how the genetics and epigenetics interact, and how this could be involved in disease manifestation. We also discuss the currently available stem cell and mouse models, which frequently do not recapitulate epigenetic patterns observed in human disease, and propose alternative strategies to study the role of epigenetics in repeat diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Barbé
- Center for Systems and Therapeutics, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Steve Finkbeiner
- Center for Systems and Therapeutics, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Steve Finkbeiner,
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14
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Recessive cerebellar and afferent ataxias - clinical challenges and future directions. Nat Rev Neurol 2022; 18:257-272. [PMID: 35332317 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00634-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cerebellar and afferent ataxias present with a characteristic gait disorder that reflects cerebellar motor dysfunction and sensory loss. These disorders are a diagnostic challenge for clinicians because of the large number of acquired and inherited diseases that cause cerebellar and sensory neuron damage. Among such conditions that are recessively inherited, Friedreich ataxia and RFC1-associated cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) include the characteristic clinical, neuropathological and imaging features of ganglionopathies, a distinctive non-length-dependent type of sensory involvement. In this Review, we discuss the typical and atypical phenotypes of Friedreich ataxia and CANVAS, along with the features of other recessive ataxias that present with a ganglionopathy or polyneuropathy, with an emphasis on recently described clinical features, natural history and genotype-phenotype correlations. We review the main developments in understanding the complex pathology that affects the sensory neurons and cerebellum, which seem to be most vulnerable to disorders that affect mitochondrial function and DNA repair mechanisms. Finally, we discuss disease-modifying therapeutic advances in Friedreich ataxia, highlighting the most promising candidate molecules and lessons learned from previous clinical trials.
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15
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Rodden LN, Gilliam KM, Lam C, Rojsajjakul T, Mesaros C, Dionisi C, Pook M, Pandolfo M, Lynch DR, Blair IA, Bidichandani SI. DNA methylation in Friedreich ataxia silences expression of frataxin isoform E. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5031. [PMID: 35322126 PMCID: PMC8943190 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09002-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic silencing in Friedreich ataxia (FRDA), induced by an expanded GAA triplet-repeat in intron 1 of the FXN gene, results in deficiency of the mitochondrial protein, frataxin. A lesser known extramitochondrial isoform of frataxin detected in erythrocytes, frataxin-E, is encoded via an alternate transcript (FXN-E) originating in intron 1 that lacks a mitochondrial targeting sequence. We show that FXN-E is deficient in FRDA, including in patient-derived cell lines, iPS-derived proprioceptive neurons, and tissues from a humanized mouse model. In a series of FRDA patients, deficiency of frataxin-E protein correlated with the length of the expanded GAA triplet-repeat, and with repeat-induced DNA hypermethylation that occurs in close proximity to the intronic origin of FXN-E. CRISPR-induced epimodification to mimic DNA hypermethylation seen in FRDA reproduced FXN-E transcriptional deficiency. Deficiency of frataxin E is a consequence of FRDA-specific epigenetic silencing, and therapeutic strategies may need to address this deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layne N Rodden
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OU Children's Physician Building, Suite 12100, 1200 Children's Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Kaitlyn M Gilliam
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OU Children's Physician Building, Suite 12100, 1200 Children's Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Christina Lam
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OU Children's Physician Building, Suite 12100, 1200 Children's Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Teerapat Rojsajjakul
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Clementina Mesaros
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Mark Pook
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
| | - Massimo Pandolfo
- Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David R Lynch
- Division of Neurology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ian A Blair
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sanjay I Bidichandani
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OU Children's Physician Building, Suite 12100, 1200 Children's Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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16
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Motley W, Chaudry V, Lloyd TE. Treatment and Management of Hereditary Neuropathies. Neuromuscul Disord 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-71317-7.00014-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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17
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Li Y, Li J, Wang J, Lynch D, Shen X, R. Corey D, Parekh D, Bhat B, Woo C, Cherry J, Napierala J, Napierala M. Targeting 3' and 5' untranslated regions with antisense oligonucleotides to stabilize frataxin mRNA and increase protein expression. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:11560-11574. [PMID: 34718736 PMCID: PMC8599914 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a severe multisystem disease caused by transcriptional repression induced by expanded GAA repeats located in intron 1 of the Frataxin (FXN) gene encoding frataxin. FRDA results from decreased levels of frataxin; thus, stabilization of the FXN mRNA already present in patient cells represents an attractive and unexplored therapeutic avenue. In this work, we pursued a novel approach based on oligonucleotide-mediated targeting of FXN mRNA ends to extend its half-life and availability as a template for translation. We demonstrated that oligonucleotides designed to bind to FXN 5' or 3' noncoding regions can increase FXN mRNA and protein levels. Simultaneous delivery of oligonucleotides targeting both ends increases efficacy of the treatment. The approach was confirmed in several FRDA fibroblast and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neuronal progenitor lines. RNA sequencing and single-cell expression analyses confirmed oligonucleotide-mediated FXN mRNA upregulation. Mechanistically, a significant elongation of the FXN mRNA half-life without any changes in chromatin status at the FXN gene was observed upon treatment with end-targeting oligonucleotides, indicating that transcript stabilization is responsible for frataxin upregulation. These results identify a novel approach toward upregulation of steady-state mRNA levels via oligonucleotide-mediated end targeting that may be of significance to any condition resulting from transcription downregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjie Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1825 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jixue Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1825 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1825 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - David R Lynch
- Division of Neurology and Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Abramson Research Center, Room 502, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Xiulong Shen
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - David R. Corey
- Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Darshan Parekh
- Translate Bio, 29 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421, USA
| | | | - Caroline Woo
- Translate Bio, 29 Hartwell Avenue, Lexington, MA 02421, USA
| | | | - Jill S Napierala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1825 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Marek Napierala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1825 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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18
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Abstract
Neuroepigenetics, a new branch of epigenetics, plays an important role in the regulation of gene expression. Neuroepigenetics is associated with holistic neuronal function and helps in formation and maintenance of memory and learning processes. This includes neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative defects in which histone modification enzymes appear to play a crucial role. These modifications, carried out by acetyltransferases and deacetylases, regulate biologic and cellular processes such as apoptosis and autophagy, inflammatory response, mitochondrial dysfunction, cell-cycle progression and oxidative stress. Alterations in acetylation status of histone as well as non-histone substrates lead to transcriptional deregulation. Histone deacetylase decreases acetylation status and causes transcriptional repression of regulatory genes involved in neural plasticity, synaptogenesis, synaptic and neural plasticity, cognition and memory, and neural differentiation. Transcriptional deactivation in the brain results in development of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Mounting evidence implicates histone deacetylase inhibitors as potential therapeutic targets to combat neurologic disorders. Recent studies have targeted naturally-occurring biomolecules and micro-RNAs to improve cognitive defects and memory. Multi-target drug ligands targeting HDAC have been developed and used in cell-culture and animal-models of neurologic disorders to ameliorate synaptic and cognitive dysfunction. Herein, we focus on the implications of histone deacetylase enzymes in neuropathology, their regulation of brain function and plausible involvement in the pathogenesis of neurologic defects.
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Ocana-Santero G, Díaz-Nido J, Herranz-Martín S. Future Prospects of Gene Therapy for Friedreich's Ataxia. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1815. [PMID: 33670433 PMCID: PMC7918362 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia is an autosomal recessive neurogenetic disease that is mainly associated with atrophy of the spinal cord and progressive neurodegeneration in the cerebellum. The disease is caused by a GAA-expansion in the first intron of the frataxin gene leading to a decreased level of frataxin protein, which results in mitochondrial dysfunction. Currently, there is no effective treatment to delay neurodegeneration in Friedreich's ataxia. A plausible therapeutic approach is gene therapy. Indeed, Friedreich's ataxia mouse models have been treated with viral vectors en-coding for either FXN or neurotrophins, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor showing promising results. Thus, gene therapy is increasingly consolidating as one of the most promising therapies. However, several hurdles have to be overcome, including immunotoxicity and pheno-toxicity. We review the state of the art of gene therapy in Friedreich's ataxia, addressing the main challenges and the most feasible solutions for them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Ocana-Santero
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (G.O.-S.); (J.D.-N.)
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Sherrington Building, Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Javier Díaz-Nido
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (G.O.-S.); (J.D.-N.)
| | - Saúl Herranz-Martín
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Departamento de Biología Molecular, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain; (G.O.-S.); (J.D.-N.)
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20
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Rodden LN, Chutake YK, Gilliam K, Lam C, Soragni E, Hauser L, Gilliam M, Wiley G, Anderson MP, Gottesfeld JM, Lynch DR, Bidichandani SI. Methylated and unmethylated epialleles support variegated epigenetic silencing in Friedreich ataxia. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:3818-3829. [PMID: 33432325 PMCID: PMC7861014 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is typically caused by homozygosity for an expanded GAA triplet-repeat in intron 1 of the FXN gene, which results in transcriptional deficiency via epigenetic silencing. Most patients are homozygous for alleles containing > 500 triplets, but a subset (~20%) have at least one expanded allele with < 500 triplets and a distinctly milder phenotype. We show that in FRDA DNA methylation spreads upstream from the expanded repeat, further than previously recognized, and establishes an FRDA-specific region of hypermethylation in intron 1 (~90% in FRDA versus < 10% in non-FRDA) as a novel epigenetic signature. The hypermethylation of this differentially methylated region (FRDA-DMR) was observed in a variety of patient-derived cells; it significantly correlated with FXN transcriptional deficiency and age of onset, and it reverted to the non-disease state in isogenically corrected induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons. Bisulfite deep sequencing of the FRDA-DMR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 73 FRDA patients revealed considerable intra-individual epiallelic variability, including fully methylated, partially methylated, and unmethylated epialleles. Although unmethylated epialleles were rare (median = 0.33%) in typical patients homozygous for long GAA alleles with > 500 triplets, a significantly higher prevalence of unmethylated epialleles (median = 9.8%) was observed in patients with at least one allele containing < 500 triplets, less severe FXN deficiency (>20%) and later onset (>15 years). The higher prevalence in mild FRDA of somatic FXN epialleles devoid of DNA methylation is consistent with variegated epigenetic silencing mediated by expanded triplet-repeats. The proportion of unsilenced somatic FXN genes is an unrecognized phenotypic determinant in FRDA and has implications for the deployment of effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layne N Rodden
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Yogesh K Chutake
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Gilliam
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Christina Lam
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Elisabetta Soragni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Hauser
- Division of Neurology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Matthew Gilliam
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
| | - Graham Wiley
- Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Michael P Anderson
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Joel M Gottesfeld
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - David R Lynch
- Division of Neurology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sanjay I Bidichandani
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
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21
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Vilema-Enríquez G, Quinlan R, Kilfeather P, Mazzone R, Saqlain S, Del Molino Del Barrio I, Donato A, Corda G, Li F, Vedadi M, Németh AH, Brennan PE, Wade-Martins R. Inhibition of the SUV4-20 H1 histone methyltransferase increases frataxin expression in Friedreich's ataxia patient cells. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:17973-17985. [PMID: 33028632 PMCID: PMC7939392 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.015533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms of reduced frataxin (FXN) expression in Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) are linked to epigenetic modification of the FXN locus caused by the disease-associated GAA expansion. Here, we identify that SUV4-20 histone methyltransferases, specifically SUV4-20 H1, play an important role in the regulation of FXN expression and represent a novel therapeutic target. Using a human FXN-GAA-Luciferase repeat expansion genomic DNA reporter model of FRDA, we screened the Structural Genomics Consortium epigenetic probe collection. We found that pharmacological inhibition of the SUV4-20 methyltransferases by the tool compound A-196 increased the expression of FXN by ∼1.5-fold in the reporter cell line. In several FRDA cell lines and patient-derived primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells, A-196 increased FXN expression by up to 2-fold, an effect not seen in WT cells. SUV4-20 inhibition was accompanied by a reduction in H4K20me2 and H4K20me3 and an increase in H4K20me1, but only modest (1.4-7.8%) perturbation in genome-wide expression was observed. Finally, based on the structural activity relationship and crystal structure of A-196, novel small molecule A-196 analogs were synthesized and shown to give a 20-fold increase in potency for increasing FXN expression. Overall, our results suggest that histone methylation is important in the regulation of FXN expression and highlight SUV4-20 H1 as a potential novel therapeutic target for FRDA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert Quinlan
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Alzheimer's Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Kilfeather
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Roberta Mazzone
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Alzheimer's Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Saba Saqlain
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Annalidia Donato
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Gabriele Corda
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Fengling Li
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Masoud Vedadi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea H Németh
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Oxford Centre for Genomic Medicine, Oxford University Hospitals National Health Service Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul E Brennan
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; Alzheimer's Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute, Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Wade-Martins
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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22
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Zesiewicz TA, Hancock J, Ghanekar SD, Kuo SH, Dohse CA, Vega J. Emerging therapies in Friedreich's Ataxia. Expert Rev Neurother 2020; 20:1215-1228. [PMID: 32909841 PMCID: PMC8018609 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2020.1821654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that results in gait and limb ataxia, diabetes, cardiac hypertrophy, and scoliosis. At the cellular level, FRDA results in the deficiency of frataxin, a mitochondrial protein that plays a vital role in iron homeostasis and amelioration of oxidative stress. No cure currently exists for FRDA, but exciting therapeutic developments which target different parts of the pathological cascade are on the horizon. AREAS COVERED Areas covered include past and emerging therapies for FRDA, including antioxidants and mitochondrial-related agents, nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activators, deuterated polyunsaturated fatty acids, iron chelators, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, trans-activator of transcription (TAT)-frataxin, interferon gamma (IFNγ), erythropoietin, resveratrol, gene therapy, and anti-sense oligonucleotides (ASOs), among others. EXPERT OPINION While drug discovery has been challenging, new and exciting prospective treatments for FRDA are currently on the horizon, including pharmaceutical agents and gene therapy. Agents that enhance mitochondrial function, such as Nrf2 activators, dPUFAs and catalytic antioxidants, as well as novel methods of frataxin augmentation and genetic modulation will hopefully provide treatment for this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa A. Zesiewicz
- University of South Florida (USF) Department of Neurology, USF Ataxia Research Center, Tampa Florida, James A Haley Veteran’s Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Joshua Hancock
- University of South Florida (USF) Department of Neurology, USF Ataxia Research Center, Tampa Florida, James A Haley Veteran’s Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Shaila D. Ghanekar
- University of South Florida (USF) Department of Neurology, USF Ataxia Research Center, Tampa Florida, James A Haley Veteran’s Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Sheng-Han Kuo
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Initiative for Columbia Ataxia and Tremor, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carlos A. Dohse
- Universidad Central Del Caribe School of Medicine, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
| | - Joshua Vega
- University of South Florida (USF) Department of Neurology, USF Ataxia Research Center, Tampa Florida, James A Haley Veteran’s Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
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23
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Mazzara PG, Muggeo S, Luoni M, Massimino L, Zaghi M, Valverde PTT, Brusco S, Marzi MJ, Palma C, Colasante G, Iannielli A, Paulis M, Cordiglieri C, Giannelli SG, Podini P, Gellera C, Taroni F, Nicassio F, Rasponi M, Broccoli V. Frataxin gene editing rescues Friedreich's ataxia pathology in dorsal root ganglia organoid-derived sensory neurons. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4178. [PMID: 32826895 PMCID: PMC7442818 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17954-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal-recessive neurodegenerative and cardiac disorder which occurs when transcription of the FXN gene is silenced due to an excessive expansion of GAA repeats into its first intron. Herein, we generate dorsal root ganglia organoids (DRG organoids) by in vitro differentiation of human iPSCs. Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing show that DRG organoids present a transcriptional signature similar to native DRGs and display the main peripheral sensory neuronal and glial cell subtypes. Furthermore, when co-cultured with human intrafusal muscle fibers, DRG organoid sensory neurons contact their peripheral targets and reconstitute the muscle spindle proprioceptive receptors. FRDA DRG organoids model some molecular and cellular deficits of the disease that are rescued when the entire FXN intron 1 is removed, and not with the excision of the expanded GAA tract. These results strongly suggest that removal of the repressed chromatin flanking the GAA tract might contribute to rescue FXN total expression and fully revert the pathological hallmarks of FRDA DRG neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Giuseppe Mazzara
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 92037, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sharon Muggeo
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirko Luoni
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Massimino
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Mattia Zaghi
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Simone Brusco
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Jacopo Marzi
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Cecilia Palma
- Department of Electronics, Information & Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Gaia Colasante
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelo Iannielli
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Neuroscience, 20129, Milan, Italy
| | - Marianna Paulis
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, 20089, Rozzano, Milano, Italy
| | - Chiara Cordiglieri
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics "Romeo e Enrica Invernizzi" - INGM, 20122, Milan, Italy
| | - Serena Gea Giannelli
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Podini
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Gellera
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Franco Taroni
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Nicassio
- Center for Genomic Science of IIT@SEMM, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 20139, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Rasponi
- Department of Electronics, Information & Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Vania Broccoli
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132, Milan, Italy.
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Neuroscience, 20129, Milan, Italy.
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24
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Kumari D, Sciascia N, Usdin K. Small Molecules Targeting H3K9 Methylation Prevent Silencing of Reactivated FMR1 Alleles in Fragile X Syndrome Patient Derived Cells. Genes (Basel) 2020; 11:genes11040356. [PMID: 32230785 PMCID: PMC7230530 DOI: 10.3390/genes11040356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In fragile X syndrome (FXS), expansion of a CGG repeat tract in the 5′-untranslated region of the FMR1 gene to >200 repeats causes transcriptional silencing by inducing heterochromatin formation. Understanding the mechanism of FMR1 silencing is important as gene reactivation is a potential treatment approach for FXS. To date, only the DNA demethylating drug 5-azadeoxycytidine (AZA) has proved effective at gene reactivation; however, this drug is toxic. The repressive H3K9 methylation mark is enriched on the FMR1 gene in FXS patient cells and is thus a potential druggable target. However, its contribution to the silencing process is unclear. Here, we studied the effect of small molecule inhibitors of H3K9 methylation on FMR1 expression in FXS patient cells. Chaetocin showed a small effect on FMR1 gene reactivation and a synergistic effect on FMR1 mRNA levels when used in combination with AZA. Additionally, chaetocin, BIX01294 and 3-Deazaneplanocin A (DZNep) were able to significantly delay the re-silencing of AZA-reactivated FMR1 alleles. These data are consistent with the idea that H3K9 methylation precedes DNA methylation and that removal of DNA methylation is necessary to see the optimal effect of histone methyl-transferase (HMT) inhibitors on FMR1 gene expression. Nonetheless, our data also show that drugs targeting repressive H3K9 methylation marks are able to produce sustained reactivation of the FMR1 gene after a single dose of AZA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daman Kumari
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (N.S.); (K.U.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +01 301-594-5260
| | - Nicholas Sciascia
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (N.S.); (K.U.)
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Karen Usdin
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 8 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (N.S.); (K.U.)
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25
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Igoillo-Esteve M, Oliveira AF, Cosentino C, Fantuzzi F, Demarez C, Toivonen S, Hu A, Chintawar S, Lopes M, Pachera N, Cai Y, Abdulkarim B, Rai M, Marselli L, Marchetti P, Tariq M, Jonas JC, Boscolo M, Pandolfo M, Eizirik DL, Cnop M. Exenatide induces frataxin expression and improves mitochondrial function in Friedreich ataxia. JCI Insight 2020; 5:134221. [PMID: 31877117 PMCID: PMC7098728 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.134221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease associated with a high diabetes prevalence. No treatment is available to prevent or delay disease progression. Friedreich ataxia is caused by intronic GAA trinucleotide repeat expansions in the frataxin-encoding FXN gene that reduce frataxin expression, impair iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis, cause oxidative stress, and result in mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Here we examined the metabolic, neuroprotective, and frataxin-inducing effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs in in vivo and in vitro models and in patients with Friedreich ataxia. The GLP-1 analog exenatide improved glucose homeostasis of frataxin-deficient mice through enhanced insulin content and secretion in pancreatic β cells. Exenatide induced frataxin and iron-sulfur cluster-containing proteins in β cells and brain and was protective to sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia. GLP-1 analogs also induced frataxin expression, reduced oxidative stress, and improved mitochondrial function in Friedreich ataxia patients' induced pluripotent stem cell-derived β cells and sensory neurons. The frataxin-inducing effect of exenatide was confirmed in a pilot trial in Friedreich ataxia patients, showing modest frataxin induction in platelets over a 5-week treatment course. Taken together, GLP-1 analogs improve mitochondrial function in frataxin-deficient cells and induce frataxin expression. Our findings identify incretin receptors as a therapeutic target in Friedreich ataxia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Federica Fantuzzi
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research and
- Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | - Amélie Hu
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Satyan Chintawar
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | - Ying Cai
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research and
| | | | - Myriam Rai
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lorella Marselli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Piero Marchetti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Mohammad Tariq
- Pole of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Christophe Jonas
- Pole of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Research, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marina Boscolo
- Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Massimo Pandolfo
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Décio L. Eizirik
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research and
- Indiana Biosciences Research Institute, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Miriam Cnop
- ULB Center for Diabetes Research and
- Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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26
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Louis Sam Titus ASC, Sharma D, Kim MS, D'Mello SR. The Bdnf and Npas4 genes are targets of HDAC3-mediated transcriptional repression. BMC Neurosci 2019; 20:65. [PMID: 31883511 PMCID: PMC6935488 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-019-0546-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Histone deacetylase-3 (HDAC3) promotes neurodegeneration in various cell culture and in vivo models of neurodegeneration but the mechanism by which HDAC3 exerts neurotoxicity is not known. HDAC3 is known to be a transcriptional co-repressor. The goal of this study was to identify transcriptional targets of HDAC3 in an attempt to understand how it promotes neurodegeneration. Results We used chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis coupled with deep sequencing (ChIP-Seq) to identify potential targets of HDAC3 in cerebellar granule neurons. One of the genes identified was the activity-dependent and neuroprotective transcription factor, Neuronal PAS Domain Protein 4 (Npas4). We confirmed using ChIP that in healthy neurons HDAC3 associates weakly with the Npas4 promoter, however, this association is robustly increased in neurons primed to die. We find that HDAC3 also associates differentially with the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) gene promoter, with higher association in dying neurons. In contrast, association of HDAC3 with the promoters of other neuroprotective genes, including those encoding c-Fos, FoxP1 and Stat3, was barely detectable in both healthy and dying neurons. Overexpression of HDAC3 leads to a suppression of Npas4 and Bdnf expression in cortical neurons and treatment with RGFP966, a chemical inhibitor of HDAC3, resulted in upregulation of their expression. Expression of HDAC3 also repressed Npas4 and Bdnf promoter activity. Conclusion Our results suggest that Bdnf and Npas4 are transcriptional targets of Hdac3-mediated repression. HDAC3 inhibitors have been shown to protect against behavioral deficits and neuronal loss in mouse models of neurodegeneration and it is possible that these inhibitors work by upregulating neuroprotective genes like Bdnf and Npas4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anto Sam Crosslee Louis Sam Titus
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dharmendra Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Min Soo Kim
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Santosh R D'Mello
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, USA. .,, Dallas, TX, 75243, USA.
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27
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Gottesfeld JM. Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics for the GAA·TTC Expansion Disease Friedreich Ataxia. Neurotherapeutics 2019; 16:1032-1049. [PMID: 31317428 PMCID: PMC6985418 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-019-00764-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA), the most common inherited ataxia, is caused by transcriptional silencing of the nuclear FXN gene, encoding the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. Currently, there is no approved therapy for this fatal disorder. Gene silencing in FRDA is due to hyperexpansion of the triplet repeat sequence GAA·TTC in the first intron of the FXN gene, which results in chromatin histone modifications consistent with heterochromatin formation. Frataxin is involved in mitochondrial iron homeostasis and the assembly and transfer of iron-sulfur clusters to various mitochondrial enzymes and components of the electron transport chain. Frataxin insufficiency leads to progressive spinocerebellar neurodegeneration, causing symptoms of gait and limb ataxia, slurred speech, muscle weakness, sensory loss, and cardiomyopathy in many patients, resulting in death in early adulthood. Numerous approaches are being taken to find a treatment for FRDA, including excision or correction of the repeats by genome engineering methods, gene activation with small molecules or artificial transcription factors, delivery of frataxin to affected cells by protein replacement therapy, gene therapy, or small molecules to increase frataxin protein levels, and therapies aimed at countering the cellular consequences of reduced frataxin. This review will summarize the mechanisms involved in repeat-mediated gene silencing and recent efforts aimed at development of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel M Gottesfeld
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA.
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28
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Clay A, Hearle P, Schadt K, Lynch DR. New developments in pharmacotherapy for Friedreich ataxia. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2019; 20:1855-1867. [PMID: 31311349 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2019.1639671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Friedreich ataxia (FRDA), a rare disease caused by the deficiency of the mitochondrial matrix protein frataxin, affects roughly 1 in 50,000 individuals worldwide. Current and emerging therapies focus on reversing the deleterious effects of such deficiency including mitochondrial augmentation and increasing frataxin levels, providing the possibility of treatment options for this physiologically complex, multisystem disorder. Areas covered: In this review article, the authors discuss the current and prior in vivo and in vitro research studies related to the treatment of FRDA, with a particular interest in future implications of each therapy. Expert opinion: Since the discovery of FXN in 1996, multiple clinical trials have occurred or are currently occurring; at a rapid pace for a rare disease. These trials have been directed at the augmentation of mitochondrial function and/or alleviation of symptoms and are not regarded as potential cures in FRDA. Either a combination of therapies or a drug that replaces or increases the pathologically low levels of frataxin better represent potential cures in FRDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Clay
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Patrick Hearle
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Kim Schadt
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - David R Lynch
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia , PA , USA
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29
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Mechanism of Action for HDAC Inhibitors-Insights from Omics Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20071616. [PMID: 30939743 PMCID: PMC6480157 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20071616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) are a class of prominent epigenetic drugs that are currently being tested in hundreds of clinical trials against a variety of diseases. A few compounds have already been approved for treating lymphoma or myeloma. HDIs bind to the zinc-containing catalytic domain of the histone deacetylase (HDACs) and they repress the deacetylase enzymatic activity. The broad therapeutic effect of HDIs with seemingly low toxicity is somewhat puzzling when considering that most HDIs lack strict specificity toward any individual HDAC and, even if they do, each individual HDAC has diverse functions under different physiology scenarios. Here, we review recent mechanistic studies using omics approaches, including epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and chemoproteomics, methods. These omics studies provide non-biased insights into the mechanism of action for HDIs.
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30
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Lai JI, Nachun D, Petrosyan L, Throesch B, Campau E, Gao F, Baldwin KK, Coppola G, Gottesfeld JM, Soragni E. Transcriptional profiling of isogenic Friedreich ataxia neurons and effect of an HDAC inhibitor on disease signatures. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:1846-1859. [PMID: 30552117 PMCID: PMC6369281 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by transcriptional silencing of the frataxin (FXN) gene, resulting in loss of the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. Based on the knowledge that a GAA·TTC repeat expansion in the first intron of FXN induces heterochromatin, we previously showed that 2-aminobenzamide-type histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) increase FXN mRNA levels in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived FRDA neurons and in circulating lymphocytes from patients after HDACi oral administration. How the reduced expression of frataxin leads to neurological and other systemic symptoms in FRDA patients remains unclear. Similar to other triplet-repeat disorders, it is unknown why FRDA affects only specific cell types, primarily the large sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia and cardiomyocytes. The combination of iPSC technology and genome-editing techniques offers the unique possibility to address these questions in a relevant cell model of FRDA, obviating confounding effects of variable genetic backgrounds. Here, using "scarless" gene-editing methods, we created isogenic iPSC lines that differ only in the length of the GAA·TTC repeats. To uncover the gene expression signatures due to the GAA·TTC repeat expansion in FRDA neuronal cells and the effect of HDACi on these changes, we performed RNA-seq-based transcriptomic analysis of iPSC-derived central nervous system (CNS) and isogenic sensory neurons. We found that cellular pathways related to neuronal function, regulation of transcription, extracellular matrix organization, and apoptosis are affected by frataxin loss in neurons of the CNS and peripheral nervous system and that these changes are partially restored by HDACi treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiun-I Lai
- From the Departments of Molecular Medicine and
| | - Daniel Nachun
- the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | | | - Benjamin Throesch
- Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037 and
| | | | - Fuying Gao
- the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Kristin K Baldwin
- Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037 and
| | - Giovanni Coppola
- the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095
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31
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Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is a degenerative disease that affects both the central and the peripheral nervous systems and non-neural tissues including, mainly, heart, and endocrine pancreas. It is an autosomal recessive disease caused by a GAA triplet-repeat localized within an Alu sequence element in intron 1 of frataxin (FXN) gene, which encodes a mitochondrial protein FXN. This protein is essential for mitochondrial function by the involvement of iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis. The effects of its deficiency also include disruption of cellular, particularly mitochondrial, iron homeostasis, i.e., relatively more iron accumulated in mitochondria and less iron presented in cytosol. Though iron toxicity is commonly thought to be mediated via Fenton reaction, oxidative stress seems not to be the main problem to result in detrimental effects on cell survival, particularly neuron survival. Therefore, the basic research on FXN function is urgently demanded to understand the disease. This chapter focuses on the outcome of FXN expression, regulation, and function in cellular or animal models of FRDA and on iron pathophysiology in the affected tissues. Finally, therapeutic strategies based on the control of iron toxicity and iron cellular redistribution are considered. The combination of multiple therapeutic targets including iron, oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and FXN regulation is also proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuanyu Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, People's Republic of China.
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32
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Liu X, Jiao B, Shen L. The Epigenetics of Alzheimer's Disease: Factors and Therapeutic Implications. Front Genet 2018; 9:579. [PMID: 30555513 PMCID: PMC6283895 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a well-known neurodegenerative disorder that imposes a great burden on the world. The mechanisms of AD are not yet fully understood. Current insight into the role of epigenetics in the mechanism of AD focuses on DNA methylation, remodeling of chromatin, histone modifications and non-coding RNA regulation. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the role of epigenetics in AD and the possibilities for epigenetically based therapeutics. The general conclusion is that epigenetic mechanisms play a variety of crucial roles in the development of AD, and there are a number of viable possibilities for treatments based on modulating these effects, but significant advances in knowledge and technology will be needed to move these treatments from the bench to the bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,The Center of Gerontology and Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bin Jiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lu Shen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
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33
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Mikaeili H, Sandi M, Bayot A, Al-Mahdawi S, Pook MA. FAST-1 antisense RNA epigenetically alters FXN expression. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17217. [PMID: 30464193 PMCID: PMC6249312 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35639-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a multisystem genetic disorder caused by GAA repeat expansion mutations within the FXN gene, resulting in heterochromatin formation and deficiency of frataxin protein. Elevated levels of the FXN antisense transcript (FAST-1) have previously been detected in FRDA. To investigate the effects of FAST-1 on the FXN gene expression, we first stably overexpressed FAST-1 in non-FRDA cell lines and then we knocked down FAST-1 in FRDA fibroblast cells. We observed decreased FXN expression in each FAST-1 overexpressing cell type compared to control cells. We also found that FAST-1 overexpression is associated with both CCCTC-Binding Factor (CTCF) depletion and heterochromatin formation at the 5'UTR of the FXN gene. We further showed that knocking down FAST-1 in FRDA fibroblast cells significantly increased FXN expression. Our results indicate that FAST-1 can act in trans in a similar manner to the cis-acting FAST-1 overexpression that has previously been identified in FRDA fibroblasts. The effects of stably transfected FAST-1 expression on CTCF occupancy and heterochromatin formation at the FXN locus suggest a direct role for FAST-1 in the FRDA molecular disease mechanism. Our findings also support the hypothesis that inhibition of FAST-1 may be a potential approach for FRDA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Mikaeili
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, and Synthetic Biology Theme, Institute of Environment, Health & Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Madhavi Sandi
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, and Synthetic Biology Theme, Institute of Environment, Health & Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Aurélien Bayot
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, and Synthetic Biology Theme, Institute of Environment, Health & Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
- Mitochondrial Biology Group, CNRS UMR 3691, Departement of Cell Biology and Infection, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Sahar Al-Mahdawi
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, and Synthetic Biology Theme, Institute of Environment, Health & Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A Pook
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health & Life Sciences, and Synthetic Biology Theme, Institute of Environment, Health & Societies, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom.
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34
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Ziemka-Nalecz M, Jaworska J, Sypecka J, Zalewska T. Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors: A Therapeutic Key in Neurological Disorders? J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2018; 77:855-870. [DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nly073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Ziemka-Nalecz
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Jaworska
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Joanna Sypecka
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Teresa Zalewska
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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35
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Roy AR, Ahmed A, DiStefano PV, Chi L, Khyzha N, Galjart N, Wilson MD, Fish JE, Delgado-Olguín P. The transcriptional regulator CCCTC-binding factor limits oxidative stress in endothelial cells. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:8449-8461. [PMID: 29610276 PMCID: PMC5986204 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.814699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) is a versatile transcriptional regulator required for embryogenesis, but its function in vascular development or in diseases with a vascular component is poorly understood. Here, we found that endothelial Ctcf is essential for mouse vascular development and limits accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Conditional knockout of Ctcf in endothelial progenitors and their descendants affected embryonic growth, and caused lethality at embryonic day 10.5 because of defective yolk sac and placental vascular development. Analysis of global gene expression revealed Frataxin (Fxn), the gene mutated in Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA), as the most strongly down-regulated gene in Ctcf-deficient placental endothelial cells. Moreover, in vitro reporter assays showed that Ctcf activates the Fxn promoter in endothelial cells. ROS are known to accumulate in the endothelium of FRDA patients. Importantly, Ctcf deficiency induced ROS-mediated DNA damage in endothelial cells in vitro, and in placental endothelium in vivo Taken together, our findings indicate that Ctcf promotes vascular development and limits oxidative stress in endothelial cells. These results reveal a function for Ctcf in vascular development, and suggest a potential mechanism for endothelial dysfunction in FRDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna R Roy
- From the Translational Medicine Research Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Abdalla Ahmed
- From the Translational Medicine Research Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Peter V DiStefano
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Lijun Chi
- From the Translational Medicine Research Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Nadiya Khyzha
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Niels Galjart
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Michael D Wilson
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- Genetics and Genome Biology Research Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Jason E Fish
- Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada, and
- Heart and Stroke Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H2, Canada
| | - Paul Delgado-Olguín
- From the Translational Medicine Research Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 0A4, Canada,
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- Heart and Stroke Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence in Cardiovascular Research, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H2, Canada
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36
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Progress in the treatment of Friedreich ataxia. Neurol Neurochir Pol 2018; 52:129-139. [PMID: 29499876 DOI: 10.1016/j.pjnns.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a progressive neurological disorder affecting approximately 1 in 29,000 individuals of European descent. At present, there is no approved pharmacological treatment for this condition however research into treatment of FRDA has advanced considerably over the last two decades since the genetic cause was identified. Current proposed treatment strategies include decreasing oxidative stress, increasing cellular frataxin, improving mitochondrial function as well as modulating frataxin controlled metabolic pathways. Genetic and cell based therapies also hold great promise. Finally, physical therapies are being explored as a means of maximising function in those affected by FRDA.
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37
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A histone deacetylase 3-dependent pathway delimits peripheral myelin growth and functional regeneration. Nat Med 2018; 24:338-351. [PMID: 29431744 DOI: 10.1038/nm.4483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Deficits in Schwann cell-mediated remyelination impair functional restoration after nerve damage, contributing to peripheral neuropathies. The mechanisms mediating block of remyelination remain elusive. Here, through small-molecule screening focusing on epigenetic modulators, we identified histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3; a histone-modifying enzyme) as a potent inhibitor of peripheral myelinogenesis. Inhibition of HDAC3 enhanced myelin growth and regeneration and improved functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury in mice. HDAC3 antagonizes the myelinogenic neuregulin-PI3K-AKT signaling axis. Moreover, genome-wide profiling analyses revealed that HDAC3 represses promyelinating programs through epigenetic silencing while coordinating with p300 histone acetyltransferase to activate myelination-inhibitory programs that include the HIPPO signaling effector TEAD4 to inhibit myelin growth. Schwann cell-specific deletion of either Hdac3 or Tead4 in mice resulted in an elevation of myelin thickness in sciatic nerves. Thus, our findings identify the HDAC3-TEAD4 network as a dual-function switch of cell-intrinsic inhibitory machinery that counters myelinogenic signals and maintains peripheral myelin homeostasis, highlighting the therapeutic potential of transient HDAC3 inhibition for improving peripheral myelin repair.
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Abstract
Epigenetics is a growing field of knowledge that is changing our understanding of pathologic processes. For many cerebellar disorders, recent discoveries of epigenetic mechanisms help us to understand their pathophysiology. In this chapter, a short explanation of each epigenetic mechanism (including methylation, histone modification, and miRNA) is followed by references to those cerebellar disorders in which relevant epigenetic advances have been made. The importance of normal timing and distribution of methylation during neurodevelopment is explained. Abnormal methylation and altered gene expression in the developing cerebellum have been related to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, Rett syndrome, and fragile X syndrome. DNA packaging by histones is another important epigenetic mechanism in cerebellar functioning. Current knowledge of histone abnormalities in cerebellar diseases such as Friedreich ataxia and spinocerebellar ataxias is reviewed, including implications for new therapeutic approaches to these degenerative diseases. Finally, micro RNAs, the third mechanism to modulate DNA expression, and their role in normal cerebellar development and disease are described. Understanding how genetic and epigenetic mechanisms interact not only in normal cerebellar development but also in disease is a great challenge. However, such understanding will lead to promising new therapeutic possibilities as is already occurring in other areas of medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Serrano
- Pediatric Neurology Department and Pediatric Institute for Genetic Medicine and Rare Diseases, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu; and Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.
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Miller JL, Rai M, Frigon NL, Pandolfo M, Punnonen J, Spencer JR. Erythropoietin and small molecule agonists of the tissue-protective erythropoietin receptor increase FXN expression in neuronal cells in vitro and in Fxn-deficient KIKO mice in vivo. Neuropharmacology 2017; 123:34-45. [PMID: 28504123 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by reduced levels of the mitochondrial protein frataxin (FXN). Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) increased FXN protein in vitro and in early clinical studies, while no published reports evaluate rhEPO in animal models of FA. STS-E412 and STS-E424 are novel small molecule agonists of the tissue-protective, but not the erythropoietic EPO receptor. We find that rhEPO, STS-E412 and STS-E424 increase FXN expression in vitro and in vivo. RhEPO, STS-E412 and STS-E424 increase FXN by up to 2-fold in primary human cortical cells and in retinoic-acid differentiated murine P19 cells. In primary human cortical cells, the increase in FXN protein was accompanied by an increase in FXN mRNA, detectable within 4 h. RhEPO and low nanomolar concentrations of STS-E412 and STS-E424 also increase FXN in normal and FA patient-derived PBMC by 20%-40% within 24 h, an effect that was comparable to that by HDAC inhibitor 4b. In vivo, STS-E412 increased Fxn mRNA and protein in wild-type C57BL6/j mice. RhEPO, STS-E412, and STS-E424 increase FXN expression in the heart of FXN-deficient KIKO mice. In contrast, FXN expression in the brains of KIKO mice increased following treatment with STS-E412 and STS-E424, but not following treatment with rhEPO. Unexpectedly, rhEPO-treated KIKO mice developed severe splenomegaly, while no splenomegaly was observed in STS-E412- or STS-E424-treated mice. RhEPO, STS-E412 and STS-E424 upregulate FXN expression in vitro at equal efficacy, however, the effects of the small molecules on FXN expression in the CNS are superior to rhEPO in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- James L Miller
- STATegics, Inc., 428 Oakmead Pkwy, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, USA.
| | - Myriam Rai
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus Erasme, CP601, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Bruxelles, Belgium
| | | | - Massimo Pandolfo
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus Erasme, CP601, Route de Lennik 808, 1070 Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Juha Punnonen
- STATegics, Inc., 428 Oakmead Pkwy, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, USA
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Strawser C, Schadt K, Hauser L, McCormick A, Wells M, Larkindale J, Lin H, Lynch DR. Pharmacological therapeutics in Friedreich ataxia: the present state. Expert Rev Neurother 2017; 17:895-907. [PMID: 28724340 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2017.1356721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a progressive, inherited, neurodegenerative disease for which there is currently no cure or approved treatment. FRDA is caused by deficits in the production and expression of frataxin, a protein found in the mitochondria that is most likely responsible for regulating iron-sulfur cluster enzymes within the cell. A decrease in frataxin causes dysfunction of adenosine triphosphate synthesis, accumulation of mitochondrial iron, and other events leading to downstream cellular dysfunction. Areas covered: Therapeutic development for FRDA currently focuses on improving mitochondrial function and finding ways to increase frataxin expression. Additionally, the authors will review potential approaches aimed at iron modulation and genetic modulation. Finally, gene therapy is progressing rapidly and is being explored as a treatment for FRDA. Expert commentary: The collection of multiple therapeutic approaches provides many possible ways to treat FRDA. Although the mitochondrial approaches are not thought to be curative, as the primary frataxin deficit will remain, they may still produce improvements in quality of life and slowing of progression. Therapies aimed at frataxin restoration are more likely to truly modify the disease, with gene therapy as the best possibility to alter the course of the disease from both a cardiac and neurological perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kimberly Schadt
- a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Lauren Hauser
- a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | | | - McKenzie Wells
- a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Jane Larkindale
- a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Hong Lin
- a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - David R Lynch
- a Children's Hospital of Philadelphia , Philadelphia , PA , USA
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Bürk K. Friedreich Ataxia: current status and future prospects. CEREBELLUM & ATAXIAS 2017; 4:4. [PMID: 28405347 PMCID: PMC5383992 DOI: 10.1186/s40673-017-0062-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FA) represents the most frequent type of inherited ataxia. Most patients carry homozygous GAA expansions in the first intron of the frataxin gene on chromosome 9. Due to epigenetic alterations, frataxin expression is significantly reduced. Frataxin is a mitochondrial protein. Its deficiency leads to mitochondrial iron overload, defective energy supply and generation of reactive oxygen species. This review gives an overview over clinical and genetic aspects of FA and discusses current concepts of frataxin biogenesis and function as well as new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Bürk
- University of Marburg, and Paracelsus-Elena Klinik, Klinikstr. 16, 34128 Kassel, Germany
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42
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Polak U, Li Y, Butler JS, Napierala M. Alleviating GAA Repeat Induced Transcriptional Silencing of the Friedreich's Ataxia Gene During Somatic Cell Reprogramming. Stem Cells Dev 2016; 25:1788-1800. [PMID: 27615158 PMCID: PMC5155629 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2016.0147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is the most common autosomal recessive ataxia. This severe neurodegenerative disease is caused by an expansion of guanine-adenine-adenine (GAA) repeats located in the first intron of the frataxin (FXN) gene, which represses its transcription. Although transcriptional silencing is associated with heterochromatin-like changes in the vicinity of the expanded GAAs, the exact mechanism and pathways involved in transcriptional inhibition are largely unknown. As major remodeling of the epigenome is associated with somatic cell reprogramming, modulating chromatin modification pathways during the cellular transition from a somatic to a pluripotent state is likely to generate permanent changes to the epigenetic landscape. We hypothesize that the epigenetic modifications in the vicinity of the GAA repeats can be reversed by pharmacological modulation during somatic cell reprogramming. We reprogrammed FRDA fibroblasts into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in the presence of various small molecules that target DNA methylation and histone acetylation and methylation. Treatment of FRDA iPSCs with two compounds, sodium butyrate (NaB) and Parnate, led to an increase in FXN expression and correction of repressive marks at the FXN locus, which persisted for several passages. However, prolonged culture of the epigenetically modified FRDA iPSCs led to progressive expansions of the GAA repeats and a corresponding decrease in FXN expression. Furthermore, we uncovered that differentiation of these iPSCs into neurons also results in resilencing of the FXN gene. Taken together, these results demonstrate that transcriptional repression caused by long GAA repeat tracts can be partially or transiently reversed by altering particular epigenetic modifications, thus revealing possibilities for detailed analyses of silencing mechanism and development of new therapeutic approaches for FRDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Polak
- Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Epigenetics, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, Texas
| | - Yanjie Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UAB Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Jill Sergesketter Butler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UAB Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Marek Napierala
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, UAB Stem Cell Institute, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
- Department of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznan, Poland
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Codazzi F, Hu A, Rai M, Donatello S, Salerno Scarzella F, Mangiameli E, Pelizzoni I, Grohovaz F, Pandolfo M. Friedreich ataxia-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons show a cellular phenotype that is corrected by a benzamide HDAC inhibitor. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:4847-4855. [PMID: 28175303 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 08/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
We employed induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons obtained from Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) patients and healthy subjects, FRDA neurons and CT neurons, respectively, to unveil phenotypic alterations related to frataxin (FXN) deficiency and investigate if they can be reversed by treatments that upregulate FXN. FRDA and control iPSCs were equally capable of differentiating into a neuronal or astrocytic phenotype. FRDA neurons showed lower levels of iron–sulfur (Fe–S) and lipoic acid-containing proteins, higher labile iron pool (LIP), higher expression of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD2), increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lower reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and enhanced sensitivity to oxidants compared with CT neurons, indicating deficient Fe–S cluster biogenesis, altered iron metabolism, and oxidative stress. Treatment with the benzamide HDAC inhibitor 109 significantly upregulated FXN expression and increased Fe–S and lipoic acid-containing protein levels, downregulated SOD2 levels, normalized LIP and ROS levels, and almost fully protected FRDA neurons from oxidative stress-mediated cell death. Our findings suggest that correction of FXN deficiency may not only stop disease progression, but also lead to clinical improvement by rescuing still surviving, but dysfunctional neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franca Codazzi
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Amelié Hu
- Laboratoire de Neurologie Expérimentale, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Myriam Rai
- Laboratoire de Neurologie Expérimentale, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Simona Donatello
- Laboratoire de Neurologie Expérimentale, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Fabio Grohovaz
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Pandolfo
- Laboratoire de Neurologie Expérimentale, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1070 Brussels, Belgium
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Bergquist H, Rocha CSJ, Álvarez-Asencio R, Nguyen CH, Rutland MW, Smith CIE, Good L, Nielsen PE, Zain R. Disruption of Higher Order DNA Structures in Friedreich's Ataxia (GAA)n Repeats by PNA or LNA Targeting. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165788. [PMID: 27846236 PMCID: PMC5112992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Expansion of (GAA)n repeats in the first intron of the Frataxin gene is associated with reduced mRNA and protein levels and the development of Friedreich’s ataxia. (GAA)n expansions form non-canonical structures, including intramolecular triplex (H-DNA), and R-loops and are associated with epigenetic modifications. With the aim of interfering with higher order H-DNA (like) DNA structures within pathological (GAA)n expansions, we examined sequence-specific interaction of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) with (GAA)n repeats of different lengths (short: n=9, medium: n=75 or long: n=115) by chemical probing of triple helical and single stranded regions. We found that a triplex structure (H-DNA) forms at GAA repeats of different lengths; however, single stranded regions were not detected within the medium size pathological repeat, suggesting the presence of a more complex structure. Furthermore, (GAA)4-PNA binding of the repeat abolished all detectable triplex DNA structures, whereas (CTT)5-PNA did not. We present evidence that (GAA)4-PNA can invade the DNA at the repeat region by binding the DNA CTT strand, thereby preventing non-canonical-DNA formation, and that triplex invasion complexes by (CTT)5-PNA form at the GAA repeats. Locked nucleic acid (LNA) oligonucleotides also inhibited triplex formation at GAA repeat expansions, and atomic force microscopy analysis showed significant relaxation of plasmid morphology in the presence of GAA-LNA. Thus, by inhibiting disease related higher order DNA structures in the Frataxin gene, such PNA and LNA oligomers may have potential for discovery of drugs aiming at recovering Frataxin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Bergquist
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Microbiology-Immunology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Cristina S. J. Rocha
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Rubén Álvarez-Asencio
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chi-Hung Nguyen
- Laboratoire de Pharmacochimie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, UMR 9187 – U 1196 CNRS-Institut Curie, INSERM, Centre Universitaire, Orsay, France
| | - Mark. W. Rutland
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology, School of Chemical Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - C. I. Edvard Smith
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Liam Good
- Department of Pathology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter E. Nielsen
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, The Panum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rula Zain
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 86, Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Centre for Rare Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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45
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Aranca TV, Jones TM, Shaw JD, Staffetti JS, Ashizawa T, Kuo SH, Fogel BL, Wilmot GR, Perlman SL, Onyike CU, Ying SH, Zesiewicz TA. Emerging therapies in Friedreich's ataxia. Neurodegener Dis Manag 2016; 6:49-65. [PMID: 26782317 DOI: 10.2217/nmt.15.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an inherited, progressive neurodegenerative disease that typically affects teenagers and young adults. Therapeutic strategies and disease insight have expanded rapidly over recent years, leading to hope for the FRDA population. There is currently no US FDA-approved treatment for FRDA, but advances in research of its pathogenesis have led to clinical trials of potential treatments. This article reviews emerging therapies and discusses future perspectives, including the need for more precise measures for detecting changes in neurologic symptoms as well as a disease-modifying agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya V Aranca
- University of South Florida Ataxia Research Center, Department of Neurology, FL, USA
| | - Tracy M Jones
- University of South Florida Ataxia Research Center, Department of Neurology, FL, USA
| | - Jessica D Shaw
- University of South Florida Ataxia Research Center, Department of Neurology, FL, USA
| | - Joseph S Staffetti
- University of South Florida Ataxia Research Center, Department of Neurology, FL, USA
| | - Tetsuo Ashizawa
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida Department of Neurology, FL, USA
| | - Sheng-Han Kuo
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University, NY, USA
| | - Brent L Fogel
- Department of Neurology, Neurogenetics Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, CA, USA
| | | | - Susan L Perlman
- Ataxia and Huntington Disease Center of Excellence, University of California, CA, US
| | - Chiadi U Onyike
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University school of Medicine MD, USA
| | - Sarah H Ying
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, MD, USA.,Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, MD, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, MD, USA
| | - Theresa A Zesiewicz
- University of South Florida Ataxia Research Center, Department of Neurology, FL, USA.,James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, FL, USA
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease caused by expansion of a GAA·TTC triplet in the first intron of the FXN gene, encoding the essential mitochondrial protein frataxin. Repeat expansion results in transcriptional silencing through an epigenetic mechanism, resulting in significant decreases in frataxin protein in affected individuals. Since the FXN protein coding sequence is unchanged in FRDA, an attractive therapeutic approach for this disease would be to increase transcription of pathogenic alleles with small molecules that target the silencing mechanism. AREAS COVERED We review the evidence that histone postsynthetic modifications and heterochromatin formation are responsible for FXN gene silencing in FRDA, along with efforts to reverse silencing with drugs that target histone modifying enzymes. Chemical and pharmacological properties of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, which reverse silencing, together with enzyme target profiles and kinetics of inhibition, are discussed. Two HDAC inhibitors have been studied in human clinical trials and the properties of these compounds are compared and contrasted. Efforts to improve on bioavailability, metabolic stability, and target activity are reviewed. EXPERT OPINION 2-aminobenzamide class I HDAC inhibitors are attractive therapeutic small molecules for FRDA. These molecules increase FXN gene expression in human neuronal cells derived from patient induced pluripotent stem cells, and in two mouse models for the disease, as well as in circulating lymphocytes in patients treated in a phase Ib clinical trial. Medicinal chemistry efforts have identified compounds with improved brain penetration, metabolic stability and efficacy in the human neuronal cell model. A clinical candidate will soon be identified for further human testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Soragni
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037 USA
| | - Joel M Gottesfeld
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037 USA
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47
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Roche J, Bertrand P. Inside HDACs with more selective HDAC inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2016; 121:451-483. [PMID: 27318122 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.05.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 236] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs) are nowadays part of the therapeutic arsenal mainly against cancers, with four compounds approved by the Food and Drug Administration. During the last five years, several groups have made continuous efforts to improve this class of compounds, designing more selective compounds or compounds with multiple capacities. After a survey of the HDAC biology and structures, this review summarizes the results of the chemists working in this field, and highlights when possible the behavior of the molecules inside their targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joëlle Roche
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biologie des Interactions, Equipe « SEVE Sucres & Echanges Végétaux-Environnement », Université de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7267, F-86073 Poitiers Cedex 09, France; Réseau Epigénétique du Cancéropôle Grand Ouest, France
| | - Philippe Bertrand
- Institut de Chimie des Milieux et Matériaux de Poitiers, UMR CNRS 7285, 4 rue Michel Brunet, TSA 51106, B28, F-86073 Poitiers Cedex 09, France; Réseau Epigénétique du Cancéropôle Grand Ouest, France.
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48
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Poburski D, Boerner JB, Koenig M, Ristow M, Thierbach R. Time-resolved functional analysis of acute impairment of frataxin expression in an inducible cell model of Friedreich ataxia. Biol Open 2016; 5:654-61. [PMID: 27106929 PMCID: PMC4874353 DOI: 10.1242/bio.017004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a GAA triplet repeat expansion in the first intron of the frataxin gene, which results in reduced expression levels of the corresponding protein. Despite numerous animal and cellular models, therapeutic options that mechanistically address impaired frataxin expression are lacking. Here, we have developed a new mammalian cell model employing the Cre/loxP recombination system to induce a homozygous or heterozygous frataxin knockout in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Induction of Cre-mediated disruption by tamoxifen was successfully tested on RNA and protein levels. After loss of frataxin protein, cell division, aconitase activity and oxygen consumption rates were found to be decreased, while ROS production was increased in the homozygous state. By contrast, in the heterozygous state no such changes were observed. A time-resolved analysis revealed the loss of aconitase activity as an initial event after induction of complete frataxin deficiency, followed by secondarily elevated ROS production and a late increase in iron content. Initial impairments of oxygen consumption and ATP production were found to be compensated in the late state and seemed to play a minor role in Friedreich ataxia pathophysiology. In conclusion and as predicted from its proposed role in iron sulfur cluster (ISC) biosynthesis, disruption of frataxin primarily causes impaired function of ISC-containing enzymes, whereas other consequences, including elevated ROS production and iron accumulation, appear secondary. These parameters and the robustness of the newly established system may additionally be used for a time-resolved study of pharmacological candidates in a HTS manner. Summary: The use of a new mammalian cell model with inducible homozygous and heterozygous frataxin knockout allows new insights into the chronology and causes of the disease Friedreich ataxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dörte Poburski
- Institute of Nutrition, Friedrich Schiller University (FSU) Jena, Dornburgerstraße 24, Jena D-07743, Germany
| | - Josefine Barbara Boerner
- Institute of Nutrition, Friedrich Schiller University (FSU) Jena, Dornburgerstraße 24, Jena D-07743, Germany
| | - Michel Koenig
- Laboratoire de Génétique de Maladies Rares EA7402, Institut Universitaire de Recherche Clinique, Université de Montpellier, Montpellier F-34093, France
| | - Michael Ristow
- Institute of Nutrition, Friedrich Schiller University (FSU) Jena, Dornburgerstraße 24, Jena D-07743, Germany
| | - René Thierbach
- Institute of Nutrition, Friedrich Schiller University (FSU) Jena, Dornburgerstraße 24, Jena D-07743, Germany
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49
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Muscat A, Popovski D, Jayasekara WSN, Rossello FJ, Ferguson M, Marini KD, Alamgeer M, Algar EM, Downie P, Watkins DN, Cain JE, Ashley DM. Low-Dose Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Treatment Leads to Tumor Growth Arrest and Multi-Lineage Differentiation of Malignant Rhabdoid Tumors. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 22:3560-70. [PMID: 26920892 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-2260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) and atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRT) are rare aggressive undifferentiated tumors primarily affecting the kidney and CNS of infants and young children. MRT are almost exclusively characterized by homozygous deletion or inactivation of the chromatin remodeling gene SMARCB1 SMARCB1 protein loss leads to direct impairment of chromatin remodeling and we have previously reported a role for this protein in histone acetylation. This provided the rationale for investigating the therapeutic potential of histone deactylase inhibitors (HDACi) in MRT. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Whereas previously HDACis have been used at doses and schedules that induce cytotoxicity, in the current studies we have tested the hypothesis, both in vitro and in vivo, that sustained treatment of human MRT with low-dose HDACi can lead to sustained cell growth arrest and differentiation. RESULTS Sustained low-dose panobinostat (LBH589) treatment led to changes in cellular morphology associated with a marked increase in the induction of neural, renal, and osteoblast differentiation pathways. Genome-wide transcriptional profiling highlighted differential gene expression supporting multilineage differentiation. Using mouse xenograft models, sustained low-dose LBH589 treatment caused tumor growth arrest associated with tumor calcification detectable by X-ray imaging. Histological analysis of LBH589-treated tumors revealed significant regions of ossification, confirmed by Alizarin Red staining. Immunohistochemical analysis showed increased TUJ1 and PAX2 staining suggestive of neuronal and renal differentiation, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Low-dose HDACi treatment can terminally differentiate MRT tumor cells and reduce their ability to self-renew. The use of low-dose HDACi as a novel therapeutic approach warrants further investigation. Clin Cancer Res; 22(14); 3560-70. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Muscat
- Cancer Services, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dean Popovski
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - W Samantha N Jayasekara
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fernando J Rossello
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Melissa Ferguson
- Cancer Services, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kieren D Marini
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Muhammad Alamgeer
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Department of Medical Oncology, Monash Medical Centre, East Bentleigh, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth M Algar
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Downie
- Children's Cancer Centre, Monash Children's Hospital, Monash Health, Victoria, Australia. Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - D Neil Watkins
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jason E Cain
- Centre for Cancer Research, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
| | - David M Ashley
- Cancer Services, Barwon Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
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Nageshwaran S, Festenstein R. Epigenetics and Triplet-Repeat Neurological Diseases. Front Neurol 2015; 6:262. [PMID: 26733936 PMCID: PMC4685448 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2015.00262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The term "junk DNA" has been reconsidered following the delineation of the functional significance of repetitive DNA regions. Typically associated with centromeres and telomeres, DNA repeats are found in nearly all organisms throughout their genomes. Repetitive regions are frequently heterochromatinized resulting in silencing of intrinsic and nearby genes. However, this is not a uniform rule, with several genes known to require such an environment to permit transcription. Repetitive regions frequently exist as dinucleotide, trinucleotide, and tetranucleotide repeats. The association between repetitive regions and disease was emphasized following the discovery of abnormal trinucleotide repeats underlying spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy's disease) and fragile X syndrome of mental retardation (FRAXA) in 1991. In this review, we provide a brief overview of epigenetic mechanisms and then focus on several diseases caused by DNA triplet-repeat expansions, which exhibit diverse epigenetic effects. It is clear that the emerging field of epigenetics is already generating novel potential therapeutic avenues for this group of largely incurable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sathiji Nageshwaran
- Division of Brain Sciences and MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus , London , UK
| | - Richard Festenstein
- Division of Brain Sciences and MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus , London , UK
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