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Lynch DR, Goldsberry A, Rummey C, Farmer J, Boesch S, Delatycki MB, Giunti P, Hoyle JC, Mariotti C, Mathews KD, Nachbauer W, Perlman S, Subramony S, Wilmot G, Zesiewicz T, Weissfeld L, Meyer C. Propensity matched comparison of omaveloxolone treatment to Friedreich ataxia natural history data. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2024; 11:4-16. [PMID: 37691319 PMCID: PMC10791025 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The natural history of Friedreich ataxia is being investigated in a multi-center longitudinal study designated the Friedreich ataxia Clinical Outcome Measures Study (FACOMS). To understand the utility of this study in analysis of clinical trials, we performed a propensity-matched comparison of data from the open-label MOXIe extension (omaveloxolone) to that from FACOMS. METHODS MOXIe extension patients were matched to FACOMS patients using logistic regression to estimate propensity scores based on multiple covariates: sex, baseline age, age of onset, baseline modified Friedreich Ataxia Rating scale (mFARS) score, and baseline gait score. The change from baseline in mFARS at Year 3 for the MOXIe extension patients compared to the matched FACOMS patients was analyzed as the primary efficacy endpoint using mixed model repeated measures analysis. RESULTS Data from the MOXIe extension show that omaveloxolone provided persistent benefit over 3 years when compared to an untreated, matched cohort from FACOMS. At each year, in all analysis populations, patients in the MOXIe extension experienced a smaller change from baseline in mFARS score than matched FACOMS patients. In the primary pooled population (136 patients in each group) by Year 3, patients in the FACOMS matched set progressed 6.6 points whereas patients treated with omaveloxolone in MOXIe extension progressed 3 points (difference = -3.6; nominal p value = 0.0001). INTERPRETATION These results suggest a meaningful slowing of Friedreich ataxia progression with omaveloxolone, and consequently detail how propensity-matched analysis may contribute to understanding of effects of therapeutic agents. This demonstrates the direct value of natural history studies in clinical trial evaluations.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R. Lynch
- Departments of Pediatrics and NeurologyThe Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | | | | | - Jennifer Farmer
- Friedreich Ataxia Research AllianceDowningtownPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Sylvia Boesch
- Department of NeurologyMedical University InnsbruckInnsbruckAustria
| | - Martin B. Delatycki
- Victorian Clinical Genetics ServicesMurdoch Children's Research InstituteParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Paola Giunti
- University College London HospitalBloomsburyLondonUK
| | - J. Chad Hoyle
- Department of NeurologyOhio State University College of MedicineColumbusOhioUSA
| | | | - Katherine D. Mathews
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of Iowa Carver College of MedicineIowa CityIowaUSA
| | | | - Susan Perlman
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - S.H. Subramony
- Department of Neurology, McKnight Brain InstituteUniversity of Florida Health SystemGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - George Wilmot
- Department of NeurologyEmory University School of MedicineAtlantaGeorgiaUSA
| | - Theresa Zesiewicz
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of South Florida Ataxia Research CenterTampaFloridaUSA
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Yang CY, Lai RY, Amokrane N, Lin CY, Figueroa KP, Pulst SM, Perlman S, Wilmot G, Gomez CM, Schmahmann JD, Paulson H, Shakkottai VG, Rosenthal LS, Ying SH, Zesiewicz T, Bushara K, Geschwind M, Xia G, Subramony S, Ashizawa T, Troche MS, Kuo SH. Dysphagia in spinocerebellar ataxias type 1, 2, 3 and 6. J Neurol Sci 2020; 415:116878. [PMID: 32454319 PMCID: PMC10150947 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.116878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysphagia is a common symptom and may be a cause of death in patients with spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs). However, little is known about at which disease stage dysphagia becomes clinically relevant. Therefore, our study aims to investigate the prevalence of dysphagia in different disease stages of SCA 1, 2, 3 and 6. METHODS We studied 237 genetically confirmed patients with SCA 1, 2, 3, 6 from the Clinical Research Consortium for SCAs and investigated the prevalence of self-reported dysphagia and the association between dysphagia and other clinical characteristics. We further stratified ataxia severity and studied the prevalence of dysphagia at each disease stage. RESULTS Dysphagia was present in 59.9% of SCA patients. Patients with dysphagia had a longer disease duration and more severe ataxia than patients without dysphagia (patients with dysphagia vs. without dysphagia, disease duration (years): 14.51 ± 8.91 vs. 11.22 ± 7.82, p = .001, scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia [SARA]: 17.90 ± 7.74 vs. 13.04 ± 7.51, p = .000). Dysphagia was most common in SCA1, followed by SCA3, SCA 6, and SCA 2. Dysphagia in SCA1 and 3 was associated robustly with ataxia severity, whereas this association was less obvious in SCA2 and 6, demonstrating genotype-specific clinical variation. CONCLUSION Dysphagia is a common clinical symptom in SCAs, especially in the severe disease stage. Understanding dysphagia in SCA patients can improve the care of these patients and advance knowledge on the roles of the cerebellum and brainstem control in swallowing.
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Shy M, Herrmann D, Thomas F, Quinn C, Statland J, Walk D, Johnson N, Subramony S, Karam C, Mozaffar T, D'Eon S, Miller B, Glasser C, Sherman M, Attie K. CMT AND NEUROGENIC DISEASE. Neuromuscul Disord 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2018.06.387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Rubin L, Pastore L, Subramony S, Lobel M, Stelling J. Navigating preimplantation genetic testing decisions in the age of social media: a qualitative study. Fertil Steril 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.07.431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Myors B, Lievens F, Schollaert E, Van Hoye G, Cronshaw SF, Mladinic A, Rodríguez V, Aguinis H, Steiner DD, Rolland F, Schuler H, Frintrup A, Nikolaou I, Tomprou M, Subramony S, Raj SB, Tzafrir S, Bamberger P, Bertolino M, Mariani M, Fraccaroli F, Sekiguchi T, Onyura B, Yang H, Anderson N, Evers A, Chernyshenko O, Englert P, Kriek HJ, Joubert T, Salgado JF, König CJ, Thommen LA, Chuang A, Sinangil HK, Bayazit M, Cook M, Shen W, Sackett PR. Broadening International Perspectives on the Legal Environment for Personnel Selection. Ind organ psychol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1754-9434.2008.00045.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Myors B, Lievens F, Schollaert E, Van Hoye G, Cronshaw SF, Mladinic A, Rodríguez V, Aguinis H, Steiner DD, Rolland F, Schuler H, Frintrup A, Nikolaou I, Tomprou M, Subramony S, Raj SB, Tzafrir S, Bamberger P, Bertolino M, Mariani M, Fraccaroli F, Sekiguchi T, Onyura B, Yang H, Anderson N, Evers A, Chernyshenko O, Englert P, Kriek HJ, Joubert T, Salgado JF, König CJ, Thommen LA, Chuang A, Sinangil HK, Bayazit M, Cook M, Shen W, Sackett PR. International Perspectives on the Legal Environment for Selection. Ind organ psychol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1754-9434.2008.00040.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Perspectives from 22 countries on aspects of the legal environment for selection are presented in this article. Issues addressed include (a) whether there are racial/ethnic/religious subgroups viewed as “disadvantaged,” (b) whether research documents mean differences between groups on individual difference measures relevant to job performance, (c) whether there are laws prohibiting discrimination against specific groups, (d) the evidence required to make and refute a claim of discrimination, (e) the consequences of violation of the laws, (f) whether particular selection methods are limited or banned, (g) whether preferential treatment of members of disadvantaged groups is permitted, and (h) whether the practice of industrial and organizational psychology has been affected by the legal environment.
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Subramony S, Moscovich M, Ashizawa T. Genetics and Clinical Features of Inherited Ataxias. Mov Disord 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-405195-9.00062-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Abdelmalak M, Lew A, Ramezani R, Shroads AL, Coats BS, Langaee T, Shankar MN, Neiberger RE, Subramony S, Stacpoole PW. Long-term safety of dichloroacetate in congenital lactic acidosis. Mol Genet Metab 2013; 109:139-43. [PMID: 23611579 PMCID: PMC3751427 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2013.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2013] [Accepted: 03/29/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
We followed 8 patients (4 males) with biochemically and/or molecular genetically proven deficiencies of the E1α subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC; 3 patients) or respiratory chain complexes I (1 patient), IV (3 patients) or I+IV (1 patient) who received oral dichloroacetate (DCA; 12.5 mg/kg/12 h) for 9.7 to 16.5 years. All subjects originally participated in randomized controlled trials of DCA and were continued on an open-label chronic safety study. Patients (1 adult) ranged in age from 3.5 to 40.2 years at the start of DCA administration and are currently aged 16.9 to 49.9 years (mean ± SD: 23.5 ± 10.9 years). Subjects were either normal or below normal body weight for age and gender. The 3 PDC deficient patients did not consume high fat (ketogenic) diets. DCA maintained normal blood lactate concentrations, even in PDC deficient children on essentially unrestricted diets. Hematological, electrolyte, renal and hepatic status remained stable. Nerve conduction either did not change or decreased modestly and led to reduction or temporary discontinuation of DCA in 3 patients, although symptomatic worsening of peripheral neuropathy did not occur. We conclude that chronic DCA administration is generally well-tolerated in patients with congenital causes of lactic acidosis and is effective in maintaining normal blood lactate levels, even in PDC-deficient children not consuming strict ketogenic diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Abdelmalak
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Alicia Lew
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Ryan Ramezani
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Albert L. Shroads
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Bonnie S. Coats
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Taimour Langaee
- Center for Pharmacogenomics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Meena N. Shankar
- Clinical Research Center, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Richard E. Neiberger
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - S.H. Subramony
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610
| | - Peter W. Stacpoole
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610
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Regner SR, Wilcox N, Friedman LS, Seyer L, Schadt K, Brigatti KW, Perlman S, Delatycki M, Wilmot GR, Gomez CM, Bushara KO, Mathews KD, Subramony S, Ashizawa T, Ravina B, Brocht A, Farmer JM, Lynch DR. Friedreich ataxia clinical outcome measures: natural history evaluation in 410 participants. J Child Neurol 2012; 27:1152-8. [PMID: 22752494 PMCID: PMC3674496 DOI: 10.1177/0883073812448462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by ataxia, dysarthria, and areflexia. The authors report the progress of a large international noninterventional cohort (n = 410), tracking the natural history of disease progression using the neurologic examination-based Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale. The authors analyzed the rate of progression with cross-sectional analysis and longitudinal analysis over a 2-year period. The Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale captured disease progression when used at 1 and 2 years following initial evaluation, with a lower ratio of standard deviation of change to mean change over 2 years of evaluation. However, modeling of disease progression identified substantial ceiling effects in the Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale, suggesting this measure is most useful in subjects before maximal deficit is approached.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean R. Regner
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicholas Wilcox
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lisa S. Friedman
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Lauren Seyer
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kim Schadt
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Karlla W. Brigatti
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Susan Perlman
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Martin Delatycki
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Khalaf O. Bushara
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | - S.H. Subramony
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Tetsuo Ashizawa
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Bernard Ravina
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Alicia Brocht
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Jennifer M. Farmer
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Friedreich Ataxia Research Alliance, Downingtown, Pennsylvania
| | - David R. Lynch
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Subramony S, Beaulieu B, Deleyrolle P, Hagen S, Hartnett B, Ohman M, Zhu T, Ashizawa T. The National Ataxia Registry (P05.019). Neurology 2012. [DOI: 10.1212/wnl.78.1_meetingabstracts.p05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Ashizawa T, Perlman S, Gomez C, Wilmot G, Schmahmann J, Ying S, Zesiewicz T, Paulson H, Shakkottai V, Bushara K, Mazzoni P, Kuo SH, Pulst S, Figueroa K, Xia G, Krischer J, Cuthbertson D, Roberts Holbert A, Ferguson J, Galpern W, Subramony S. Clinical Characteristics of Spinocerebellar Ataxias 1, 2, 3 and 6 (S12.002). Neurology 2012. [DOI: 10.1212/wnl.78.1_meetingabstracts.s12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Figueroa K, Gomez C, Paulson H, Perlman S, Schmahmann J, Subramony S, Wilmot G, Zesiewicz T, Ashizawa T, Pulst S. Prior Molecular Diagnostic Accuracy and Age of Disease Onset Variation in the CRC-SCA, a Multicenter Study of Spinocerebellar Ataxias (S12.003). Neurology 2012. [DOI: 10.1212/wnl.78.1_meetingabstracts.s12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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Wee A, Subramony S. PO26-TH-23 Wrist drop mimicking radial nerve palsy in myasthenia gravis. J Neurol Sci 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s0022-510x(09)71164-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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14
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Epstein E, Farmer JM, Tsou A, Perlman S, Subramony S, Gomez CM, Ashizawa T, Wilmot GR, Mathews K, Wilson RB, Balcer LJ, Lynch DR. Health related quality of life measures in Friedreich Ataxia. J Neurol Sci 2008; 272:123-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2008.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2007] [Revised: 05/12/2008] [Accepted: 05/15/2008] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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D’Souza D, Wei J, Shao Q, Hebert M, Subramony S, Vig P. Tissue transglutaminase crosslinks ataxin-1: possible role in SCA1 pathogenesis. Neurosci Lett 2006; 409:5-9. [PMID: 17045396 PMCID: PMC2117902 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2006.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2006] [Revised: 07/13/2006] [Accepted: 08/01/2006] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Transglutaminase type 2 (TG2) has recently been implicated in crosslinking of mutant huntingtin protein into aggregates. Here we show that TG2 also crosslinks spinocerebellar ataxia-1 (SCA1) gene product ataxin-1. HeLa cell lysates expressing GFP tagged ataxin-1 with 2, 30 or 82 glutamines showed covalent crosslinking of ataxin-1 when incubated with exogenously added TG2. This crosslinking was inhibited by TG2 inhibitor cystamine. SCA1 transgenic mice which overexpress the mutant ataxin-1 in cerebellar Purkinje cells showed elevated nuclear TG2 in the absence of ataxin-1 nuclear aggregates. The addition of purified TG2 to the nuclear extracts or addition of SCA1 nuclear TG2 to GFP-Q82 HeLa cell lysates resulted in the formation of insoluble aggregates. These data indicate that ataxin-1 is a substrate of TG2. Further, in SCA1 TG2 may translocate to the nucleus in response to nuclear accumulation of mutant ataxin-1 at early stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - P.J.S. Vig
- * Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 601 984 5513; fax: +1 601 984 6626. E-mail address: (P.J.S. Vig)
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Grant L, Sun J, Xu H, Subramony S, Chaires JB, Hebert MD. Rational selection of small molecules that increase transcription through the GAA repeats found in Friedreich's ataxia. FEBS Lett 2006; 580:5399-405. [PMID: 16989817 PMCID: PMC1847611 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2006.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2006] [Revised: 09/02/2006] [Accepted: 09/05/2006] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive trinucleotide repeat disease with no effective therapy. Expanded GAA repeats in the first intron of the FRDA gene are thought to form unusual non-B DNA conformations that decrease transcription and subsequently reduce levels of the encoded protein, frataxin. Frataxin plays a crucial role in iron metabolism and detoxification. To discover small molecules that increase transcription through the GAA repeat region in FRDA, we have made stable cell lines containing a portion of expanded intron 1 fused to a GFP reporter. Small molecules identified using the competition dialysis method were found to increase FRDA-intron 1-reporter gene expression. One of these compounds, pentamidine, increases frataxin levels in patient cells. Thus our approach can be used to detect small molecules of potential therapeutic value in FRDA.
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Affiliation(s)
- LaKechia Grant
- Department of Biochemistry, 2500 North State Street, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216-4505, USAJames Graham Brown Cancer Center
| | - Jun Sun
- Department of Neurology, 2500 North State Street, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216-4505, USA
| | - Hongzhi Xu
- Department of Biochemistry, 2500 North State Street, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216-4505, USAJames Graham Brown Cancer Center
| | - S.H. Subramony
- Department of Neurology, 2500 North State Street, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216-4505, USA
| | - Jonathan B. Chaires
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, 529 South Jackson Street, University of Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Michael D. Hebert
- Department of Biochemistry, 2500 North State Street, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216-4505, USAJames Graham Brown Cancer Center
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