1
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Nitschke L, Hu RC, Miller AN, Cooper TA. Rescue of Scn5a mis-splicing does not improve the structural and functional heart defects of a DM1 heart mouse model. Hum Mol Genet 2024:ddae117. [PMID: 39126705 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae117] [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: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant multisystemic disorder for which cardiac features, including conduction delays and arrhythmias, are the second leading cause of disease mortality. DM1 is caused by expanded CTG repeats in the 3' untranslated region of the DMPK gene. Transcription of the expanded DMPK allele produces mRNAs containing long tracts of CUG repeats, which sequester the Muscleblind-Like family of RNA binding proteins, leading to their loss-of-function and the dysregulation of alternative splicing. A well-characterized mis-regulated splicing event in the DM1 heart is the increased inclusion of SCN5A exon 6A rather than the mutually exclusive exon 6B that normally predominates in adult heart. As previous work showed that forced inclusion of Scn5a exon 6A in mice recapitulates cardiac DM1 phenotypes, we tested whether rescue of Scn5a mis-splicing would improve the cardiac phenotypes in a DM1 heart mouse model. We generated mice lacking Scn5a exon 6A to force the expression of the adult SCN5A isoform including exon 6B and crossed these mice to our previously established CUG960 DM1 heart mouse model. We showed that correction Scn5a mis-splicing does not improve the DM1 heart conduction delays and structural changes induced by CUG repeat RNA expression. Interestingly, we found that in addition to Scn5a mis-splicing, Scn5a expression is reduced in heart tissues of CUG960 mice and DM1-affected individuals. These data indicate that Scn5a mis-splicing is not the sole driver of DM1 heart deficits and suggest a potential role for reduced Scn5a expression in DM1 cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Nitschke
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Rong-Chi Hu
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, United States
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Andrew N Miller
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Thomas A Cooper
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, United States
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, United States
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, United States
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2
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Gaitán-Peñas H, Pérez-Rius C, Muhaisen A, Castellanos A, Errasti-Murugarren E, Barrallo-Gimeno A, Alcaraz-Pérez F, Estévez R. Characterization of ClC-1 chloride channels in zebrafish: a new model to study myotonia. J Physiol 2024; 602:3975-3994. [PMID: 39031529 DOI: 10.1113/jp286530] [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: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The function of the chloride channel ClC-1 is crucial for the control of muscle excitability. Thus, reduction of ClC-1 functions by CLCN1 mutations leads to myotonia congenita. Many different animal models have contributed to understanding the myotonia pathophysiology. However, these models do not allow in vivo screening of potentially therapeutic drugs, as the zebrafish model does. In this work, we identified and characterized the two zebrafish orthologues (clc-1a and clc-1b) of the ClC-1 channel. Both channels are mostly expressed in the skeletal muscle as revealed by RT-PCR, western blot, and electrophysiological recordings of myotubes, and clc-1a is predominantly expressed in adult stages. Characterization in Xenopus oocytes shows that the zebrafish channels display similar anion selectivity and voltage dependence to their human counterparts. However, they show reduced sensitivity to the inhibitor 9-anthracenecarboxylic acid (9-AC), and acidic pH inverts the voltage dependence of activation. Reduction of clc-1a/b expression hampers spontaneous and mechanically stimulated movement, which could be reverted by expression of human ClC-1 but not by some ClC-1 containing myotonia mutations. Treatment of clc-1-depleted zebrafish with mexiletine, a typical drug used in human myotonia, improves the motor behaviour. Our work extends the repertoire of ClC channels to evolutionary structure-function studies and proposes the zebrafish clcn1 crispant model as a simple tool to find novel therapies for myotonia. KEY POINTS: We have identified two orthologues of ClC-1 in zebrafish (clc-1a and clc-1b) which are mostly expressed in skeletal muscle at different developmental stages. Functional characterization of the activity of these channels reveals many similitudes with their mammalian counterparts, although they are less sensitive to 9-AC and acidic pH inverts their voltage dependence of gating. Reduction of clc-1a/b expression hampers spontaneous and mechanically stimulated movement which could be reverted by expression of human ClC-1. Myotonia-like symptoms caused by clc-1a/b depletion can be reverted by mexiletine, suggesting that this model could be used to find novel therapies for myotonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor Gaitán-Peñas
- Physiology Unit, Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carla Pérez-Rius
- Physiology Unit, Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ashraf Muhaisen
- Physiology Unit, Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aida Castellanos
- Physiology Unit, Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ekaitz Errasti-Murugarren
- Physiology Unit, Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alejandro Barrallo-Gimeno
- Physiology Unit, Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisca Alcaraz-Pérez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Surgery, Telomerase, Cancer and Aging Group (TCAG), Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
- Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biosanitaria-Arrixaca (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - Raúl Estévez
- Physiology Unit, Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona-IDIBELL, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), ISCIII, Madrid, Spain
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3
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Seifert BA, Reddi HV, Kang BE, Bean LJH, Shealy A, Rose NC. Myotonic dystrophy type 1 testing, 2024 revision: A technical standard of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Genet Med 2024; 26:101145. [PMID: 38836869 PMCID: PMC11298302 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2024.101145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a form of muscular dystrophy causing progressive muscle loss and weakness. Although clinical features can manifest at any age, it is the most common form of muscular dystrophy with onset in adulthood. DM1 is an autosomal dominant condition, resulting from an unstable CTG expansion in the 3'-untranslated region of the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) gene. The age of onset and the severity of the phenotype are roughly correlated with the size of the CTG expansion. Multiple methodologies can be used to diagnose affected individuals with DM1, including polymerase chain reaction, Southern blot, and triplet repeat-primed polymerase chain reaction. Recently, triplet repeat interruptions have been described, which may affect clinical outcomes of a fully-variable allele in DMPK. This document supersedes the Technical Standards and Guidelines for Myotonic Dystrophy originally published in 2009 and reaffirmed in 2015. It is designed for genetic testing professionals who are already familiar with the disease and the methods of analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryce A Seifert
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Honey V Reddi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Benjamin E Kang
- Department of Pathology and Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI; Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN
| | | | - Amy Shealy
- Cleveland Clinic Center for Personalized Genetic Healthcare, Cleveland, OH
| | - Nancy C Rose
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
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4
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Nelson TS, Duran P, Calderon-Rivera A, Gomez K, Loya-Lopez S, Khanna R. Mouse models of non-dystrophic and dystrophic myotonia exhibit nociplastic pain-like behaviors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.19.599732. [PMID: 38948724 PMCID: PMC11212949 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.19.599732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Pain is a prominent and debilitating symptom in myotonic disorders, yet its physiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study assessed preclinical pain-like behavior in murine models of pharmacologically induced myotonia and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). In both myotonia congenita and DM1, impairment of the CLCN1 gene, which encodes skeletal muscle voltage-gated CLC-1 chloride channels, reduces chloride ion conductance in skeletal muscle cells, leading to prolonged muscle excitability and delayed relaxation after contraction. We used the CLC-1 antagonist anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (9-AC) at intraperitoneal doses of 30 or 60 mg/kg and HSA LR20b DM1 mice to model CLC-1-induced myotonia. Our experimental approach included in vivo pain behavioral testing, ex vivo calcium imaging, and whole-cell current-clamp electrophysiology in mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. A single injection of 9-AC induced myotonia in mice, which persisted for several hours and resulted in long-lasting allodynic pain-like behavior. Similarly, HSA LR20b mice exhibited both allodynia and hyperalgesia. Despite these pain-like behaviors, DRG neurons did not show signs of hyperexcitability in either myotonic model. These findings suggest that myotonia induces nociplastic pain-like behavior in preclinical rodents, likely through central sensitization mechanisms rather than peripheral sensitization. This study provides insights into the pathophysiology of pain in myotonic disorders and highlights the potential of using myotonic mouse models to explore pain mechanisms and assess novel analgesics. Future research should focus on the central mechanisms involved in myotonia-induced pain and develop targeted therapies to alleviate this significant clinical burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler S. Nelson
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McKnight Brain Institute, and Pain and Addiction Therapeutics (PATH) Collaboratory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Paz Duran
- Department of Molecular Pathobiology, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Aida Calderon-Rivera
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McKnight Brain Institute, and Pain and Addiction Therapeutics (PATH) Collaboratory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Kimberly Gomez
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McKnight Brain Institute, and Pain and Addiction Therapeutics (PATH) Collaboratory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Santiago Loya-Lopez
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McKnight Brain Institute, and Pain and Addiction Therapeutics (PATH) Collaboratory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Rajesh Khanna
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McKnight Brain Institute, and Pain and Addiction Therapeutics (PATH) Collaboratory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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5
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Yang L, Chen X, Wu R. Afterdischarges in myotonic dystrophy type 1. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:735-740. [PMID: 37584878 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07013-2] [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: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Electrodiagnostic testing is an important screening test for myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Although myotonic discharges are observed on electromyography in cases of DM1, it is difficult to distinguish DM1 from other myotonic disorders clinically. In the present study, afterdischarges, another type of pathological potential revealed by electrodiagnostic testing, were analyzed, and their role in distinguishing DM1 from other myotonic disorders was explored. METHODS Data from 33 patients with myotonic discharges on electromyography were analyzed retrospectively. According to gene testing, the patients were divided into DM1 (n = 20) and non-DM1 myotonia (n = 13) groups. Afterdischarges were investigated by retrospectively evaluating the electrodiagnostic findings of motor nerve conduction studies, F-waves, and repetitive nerve stimulations. RESULTS Afterdischarges were observed in 17 of the 20 patients with DM1, with an occurrence rate of approximately 85%. However, afterdischarges were absent in all patients with non-DM1 myotonia. There were significant differences in the occurrence rate between the two groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Afterdischarges may serve as a suggestive role in clinical diagnosis of DM1. The discovery that DM1 can present with afterdischarges may pave a new way to study the pathogenesis of DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Yang
- Electromyography Room, Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Xiuying Chen
- Electromyography Room, Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Rui Wu
- Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, 324 Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong, China
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6
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Nitschke L, Cooper TA. Combinatorial effects of ion channel mis-splicing as a cause of myopathy in myotonic dystrophy. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e176089. [PMID: 38165037 PMCID: PMC10760967 DOI: 10.1172/jci176089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by an unstable expanded CTG repeat located in the 3'-UTR of the DM1 protein kinase (DMPK) gene. The pathogenic mechanism results in misregulated alternative splicing of hundreds of genes, creating the dilemma of establishing which genes contribute to the mechanism of DM1 skeletal muscle pathology. In this issue of the JCI, Cisco and colleagues systematically tested the combinatorial effects of DM1-relevant mis-splicing patterns in vivo and identified the synergistic effects of mis-spliced calcium and chloride channels as a major contributor to DM1 skeletal muscle impairment. The authors further demonstrated the therapeutic potential for calcium channel modulation to block the synergistic effects and rescue myopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas A. Cooper
- Department of Pathology and Immunology
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Biophysics, and
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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7
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Cisco LA, Sipple MT, Edwards KM, Thornton CA, Lueck JD. Verapamil mitigates chloride and calcium bi-channelopathy in a myotonic dystrophy mouse model. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e173576. [PMID: 38165038 PMCID: PMC10760957 DOI: 10.1172/jci173576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) involves misregulated alternative splicing for specific genes. We used exon or nucleotide deletion to mimic altered splicing of genes central to muscle excitation-contraction coupling in mice. Mice with forced skipping of exon 29 in the CaV1.1 calcium channel combined with loss of ClC-1 chloride channel function displayed markedly reduced lifespan, whereas other combinations of splicing mimics did not affect survival. The Ca2+/Cl- bi-channelopathy mice exhibited myotonia, weakness, and impairment of mobility and respiration. Chronic administration of the calcium channel blocker verapamil rescued survival and improved force generation, myotonia, and respiratory function. These results suggest that Ca2+/Cl- bi-channelopathy contributes to muscle impairment in DM1 and is potentially mitigated by common clinically available calcium channel blockers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Charles A. Thornton
- Department of Neurology
- Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - John D. Lueck
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology
- Department of Neurology
- Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
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8
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Nakamori M, Nakatani D, Sato T, Hasuike Y, Kon S, Saito T, Nakamura H, Takahashi MP, Hida E, Komaki H, Matsumura T, Takada H, Mochizuki H. Erythromycin for myotonic dystrophy type 1: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial. EClinicalMedicine 2024; 67:102390. [PMID: 38314057 PMCID: PMC10837534 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a devastating multisystemic disorder caused by a CTG repeat expansion in the DMPK gene, which subsequently triggers toxic RNA expression and dysregulated splicing. In a preclinical study, we demonstrated that erythromycin reduces the toxicity of abnormal RNA and ameliorates the aberrant splicing and motor phenotype in DM1 model mice. Methods This multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial was conducted at three centres in Japan to translate preclinical findings into practical applications in patients with DM1 by evaluating the safety and efficacy of erythromycin. Between Nov 29, 2019, and Jan 20, 2022, a total of 30 adult patients with DM1 were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:2:2 ratio to receive either placebo or erythromycin at two daily doses (500 mg or 800 mg) for 24 weeks. The primary outcome included the safety and tolerability of erythromycin. The secondary efficacy measures included splicing biomarkers, 6-min walk test results, muscle strength, and serum creatinine kinase (CK) values. This trial is registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials, jRCT2051190069. Findings Treatment-related gastrointestinal symptoms occurred more frequently in the erythromycin group, but all adverse events were mild to moderate and resolved spontaneously. No serious safety concerns were identified. The CK levels from baseline to week 24 decreased in the overall erythromycin group compared with the placebo group (mean change of -6.4 U/L [SD 149] vs +182.8 [SD 228]), although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.070). Statistically significant improvements in the overall erythromycin treated groups compared to placebo were seen for two of the eleven splicing biomarkers that were each evaluated in half of the trial sample. These were MBNL1 (p = 0.048) and CACNA1S (p = 0.042). Interpretation Erythromycin demonstrated favourable safety and tolerability profiles in patients with DM1. A well-powered phase 3 trial is needed to evaluate efficacy, building on the preliminary findings from this study. Funding Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Nakamori
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-1 Minami-Kogushi, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan
| | - Daisaku Nakatani
- Medical Centre for Translational Research, Department of Medical Innovation, Osaka University Hospital, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tomoharu Sato
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yuhei Hasuike
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Seiko Kon
- Department of Neurology, NHO Aomori National Hospital, 155-1 Hirano, Namioka, Aomori, 038-1331, Japan
| | - Toshio Saito
- Department of Neurology, NHO Osaka Toneyama Medical Centre, 5-1-1 Toneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-8552, Japan
| | - Harumasa Nakamura
- Translational Medical Centre, National Centre of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashimachi, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8502, Japan
| | - Masanori P. Takahashi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory and Biomedical Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-7 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Eisuke Hida
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Komaki
- Translational Medical Centre, National Centre of Neurology and Psychiatry, 4-1-1 Ogawahigashimachi, Kodaira, Tokyo, 187-8502, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Matsumura
- Department of Neurology, NHO Osaka Toneyama Medical Centre, 5-1-1 Toneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-8552, Japan
| | - Hiroto Takada
- Department of Neurology, NHO Aomori National Hospital, 155-1 Hirano, Namioka, Aomori, 038-1331, Japan
| | - Hideki Mochizuki
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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9
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Solovyeva EM, Utzinger S, Vissières A, Mitchelmore J, Ahrné E, Hermes E, Poetsch T, Ronco M, Bidinosti M, Merkl C, Serluca FC, Fessenden J, Naumann U, Voshol H, Meyer AS, Hoersch S. Integrative Proteogenomics for Differential Expression and Splicing Variation in a DM1 Mouse Model. Mol Cell Proteomics 2024; 23:100683. [PMID: 37993104 PMCID: PMC10770608 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100683] [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: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated mRNA splicing is involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and muscular dystrophies such as myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Comprehensive assessment of dysregulated splicing on the transcriptome and proteome level has been methodologically challenging, and thus investigations have often been targeting only few genes. Here, we performed a large-scale coordinated transcriptomic and proteomic analysis to characterize a DM1 mouse model (HSALR) in comparison to wild type. Our integrative proteogenomics approach comprised gene- and splicing-level assessments for mRNAs and proteins. It recapitulated many known instances of aberrant mRNA splicing in DM1 and identified new ones. It enabled the design and targeting of splicing-specific peptides and confirmed the translation of known instances of aberrantly spliced disease-related genes (e.g., Atp2a1, Bin1, Ryr1), complemented by novel findings (Flnc and Ywhae). Comparative analysis of large-scale mRNA and protein expression data showed quantitative agreement of differentially expressed genes and splicing patterns between disease and wild type. We hence propose this work as a suitable blueprint for a robust and scalable integrative proteogenomic strategy geared toward advancing our understanding of splicing-based disorders. With such a strategy, splicing-based biomarker candidates emerge as an attractive and accessible option, as they can be efficiently asserted on the mRNA and protein level in coordinated fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta M Solovyeva
- Research Informatics, Biomedical Research at Novartis, Basel, Switzerland; V.L. Talrose Institute for Energy Problems of Chemical Physics, N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Stephan Utzinger
- Diseases of Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Research at Novartis, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Joanna Mitchelmore
- Diseases of Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Research at Novartis, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Erik Ahrné
- Discovery Sciences, Biomedical Research at Novartis, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Erwin Hermes
- Discovery Sciences, Biomedical Research at Novartis, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tania Poetsch
- Discovery Sciences, Biomedical Research at Novartis, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marie Ronco
- Diseases of Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Research at Novartis, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Bidinosti
- Diseases of Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Research at Novartis, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Merkl
- Diseases of Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Research at Novartis, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Fabrizio C Serluca
- Research Informatics, Biomedical Research at Novartis, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James Fessenden
- Neurodegenerative Diseases, Biomedical Research at Novartis, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ulrike Naumann
- Discovery Sciences, Biomedical Research at Novartis, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Hans Voshol
- Discovery Sciences, Biomedical Research at Novartis, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Angelika S Meyer
- Diseases of Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Research at Novartis, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Hoersch
- Research Informatics, Biomedical Research at Novartis, Basel, Switzerland.
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10
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Nutter CA, Kidd BM, Carter HA, Hamel JI, Mackie PM, Kumbkarni N, Davenport ML, Tuyn DM, Gopinath A, Creigh PD, Sznajder ŁJ, Wang ET, Ranum LPW, Khoshbouei H, Day JW, Sampson JB, Prokop S, Swanson MS. Choroid plexus mis-splicing and altered cerebrospinal fluid composition in myotonic dystrophy type 1. Brain 2023; 146:4217-4232. [PMID: 37143315 PMCID: PMC10545633 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad148] [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: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 is a dominantly inherited multisystemic disease caused by CTG tandem repeat expansions in the DMPK 3' untranslated region. These expanded repeats are transcribed and produce toxic CUG RNAs that sequester and inhibit activities of the MBNL family of developmental RNA processing factors. Although myotonic dystrophy is classified as a muscular dystrophy, the brain is also severely affected by an unusual cohort of symptoms, including hypersomnia, executive dysfunction, as well as early onsets of tau/MAPT pathology and cerebral atrophy. To address the molecular and cellular events that lead to these pathological outcomes, we recently generated a mouse Dmpk CTG expansion knock-in model and identified choroid plexus epithelial cells as particularly affected by the expression of toxic CUG expansion RNAs. To determine if toxic CUG RNAs perturb choroid plexus functions, alternative splicing analysis was performed on lateral and hindbrain choroid plexi from Dmpk CTG knock-in mice. Choroid plexus transcriptome-wide changes were evaluated in Mbnl2 knockout mice, a developmental-onset model of myotonic dystrophy brain dysfunction. To determine if transcriptome changes also occurred in the human disease, we obtained post-mortem choroid plexus for RNA-seq from neurologically unaffected (two females, three males; ages 50-70 years) and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (one female, three males; ages 50-70 years) donors. To test that choroid plexus transcriptome alterations resulted in altered CSF composition, we obtained CSF via lumbar puncture from patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (five females, five males; ages 35-55 years) and non-myotonic dystrophy patients (three females, four males; ages 26-51 years), and western blot and osmolarity analyses were used to test CSF alterations predicted by choroid plexus transcriptome analysis. We determined that CUG RNA induced toxicity was more robust in the lateral choroid plexus of Dmpk CTG knock-in mice due to comparatively higher Dmpk and lower Mbnl RNA levels. Impaired transitions to adult splicing patterns during choroid plexus development were identified in Mbnl2 knockout mice, including mis-splicing previously found in Dmpk CTG knock-in mice. Whole transcriptome analysis of myotonic dystrophy type 1 choroid plexus revealed disease-associated RNA expression and mis-splicing events. Based on these RNA changes, predicted alterations in ion homeostasis, secretory output and CSF composition were confirmed by analysis of myotonic dystrophy type 1 CSF. Our results implicate choroid plexus spliceopathy and concomitant alterations in CSF homeostasis as an unappreciated contributor to myotonic dystrophy type 1 CNS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Curtis A Nutter
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Benjamin M Kidd
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Helmut A Carter
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Johanna I Hamel
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Philip M Mackie
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Nayha Kumbkarni
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Mackenzie L Davenport
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Dana M Tuyn
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Adithya Gopinath
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Peter D Creigh
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Łukasz J Sznajder
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Eric T Wang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Laura P W Ranum
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, McKnight Brain Institute and the Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Habibeh Khoshbouei
- Department of Neuroscience, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - John W Day
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, USA
| | - Jacinda B Sampson
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94304, USA
| | - Stefan Prokop
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, McKnight Brain Institute and the Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Maurice S Swanson
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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11
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Nikom D, Zheng S. Alternative splicing in neurodegenerative disease and the promise of RNA therapies. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:457-473. [PMID: 37336982 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00717-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Alternative splicing generates a myriad of RNA products and protein isoforms of different functions from a single gene. Dysregulated alternative splicing has emerged as a new mechanism broadly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson disease and repeat expansion diseases. Understanding the mechanisms and functional outcomes of abnormal splicing in neurological disorders is vital in developing effective therapies to treat mis-splicing pathology. In this Review, we discuss emerging research and evidence of the roles of alternative splicing defects in major neurodegenerative diseases and summarize the latest advances in RNA-based therapeutic strategies to target these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Nikom
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
- Center for RNA Biology and Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Sika Zheng
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
- Center for RNA Biology and Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
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12
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Davey EE, Légaré C, Planco L, Shaughnessy S, Lennon CD, Roussel MP, Shorrock HK, Hung M, Cleary JD, Duchesne E, Berglund JA. Individual transcriptomic response to strength training for patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e163856. [PMID: 37318869 PMCID: PMC10443797 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.163856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), the most common form of adult-onset muscular dystrophy, is caused by a CTG expansion resulting in significant transcriptomic dysregulation that leads to muscle weakness and wasting. While strength training is clinically beneficial in DM1, molecular effects had not been studied. To determine whether training rescued transcriptomic defects, RNA-Seq was performed on vastus lateralis samples from 9 male patients with DM1 before and after a 12-week strength-training program and 6 male controls who did not undergo training. Differential gene expression and alternative splicing analysis were correlated with the one-repetition maximum strength evaluation method (leg extension, leg press, hip abduction, and squat). While training program-induced improvements in splicing were similar among most individuals, rescued splicing events varied considerably between individuals. Gene expression improvements were highly varied between individuals, and the percentage of differentially expressed genes rescued after training were strongly correlated with strength improvements. Evaluating transcriptome changes individually revealed responses to the training not evident from grouped analysis, likely due to disease heterogeneity and individual exercise response differences. Our analyses indicate that transcriptomic changes are associated with clinical outcomes in patients with DM1 undergoing training and that these changes are often specific to the individual and should be analyzed accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E. Davey
- RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Cécilia Légaré
- RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, New York, USA
- Department of Health Sciences, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, Québec, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche Interdisciplinaire sur les Maladies Neuromusculaires (GRIMN), Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Saguenay, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche Charles-Le Moyne Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean sur les innovations en santé (CR-CSIS), Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé de l’Université de Sherbrooke, Site Saguenay, Saguenay, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lori Planco
- RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Sharon Shaughnessy
- RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Claudia D. Lennon
- RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Marie-Pier Roussel
- Groupe de Recherche Interdisciplinaire sur les Maladies Neuromusculaires (GRIMN), Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Saguenay, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche Charles-Le Moyne Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean sur les innovations en santé (CR-CSIS), Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé de l’Université de Sherbrooke, Site Saguenay, Saguenay, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Basic Sciences, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, Québec, Canada
| | - Hannah K. Shorrock
- RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Man Hung
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Operations, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
- College of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, South Jordan, Utah, USA
| | - John Douglas Cleary
- RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Elise Duchesne
- Department of Health Sciences, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, Québec, Canada
- Groupe de Recherche Interdisciplinaire sur les Maladies Neuromusculaires (GRIMN), Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Saguenay, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche Charles-Le Moyne Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean sur les innovations en santé (CR-CSIS), Faculté de médecine et des sciences de la santé de l’Université de Sherbrooke, Site Saguenay, Saguenay, Quebec, Canada
| | - J. Andrew Berglund
- RNA Institute, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, New York, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, New York, USA
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13
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Lutz M, Levanti M, Karns R, Gourdon G, Lindquist D, Timchenko NA, Timchenko L. Therapeutic Targeting of the GSK3β-CUGBP1 Pathway in Myotonic Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10650. [PMID: 37445828 PMCID: PMC10342152 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310650] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a neuromuscular disease associated with toxic RNA containing expanded CUG repeats. The developing therapeutic approaches to DM1 target mutant RNA or correct early toxic events downstream of the mutant RNA. We have previously described the benefits of the correction of the GSK3β-CUGBP1 pathway in DM1 mice (HSALR model) expressing 250 CUG repeats using the GSK3 inhibitor tideglusib (TG). Here, we show that TG treatments corrected the expression of ~17% of genes misregulated in DM1 mice, including genes involved in cell transport, development and differentiation. The expression of chloride channel 1 (Clcn1), the key trigger of myotonia in DM1, was also corrected by TG. We found that correction of the GSK3β-CUGBP1 pathway in mice expressing long CUG repeats (DMSXL model) is beneficial not only at the prenatal and postnatal stages, but also during adulthood. Using a mouse model with dysregulated CUGBP1, which mimics alterations in DM1, we showed that the dysregulated CUGBP1 contributes to the toxicity of expanded CUG repeats by changing gene expression and causing CNS abnormalities. These data show the critical role of the GSK3β-CUGBP1 pathway in DM1 muscle and in CNS pathologies, suggesting the benefits of GSK3 inhibitors in patients with different forms of DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maggie Lutz
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (M.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Miranda Levanti
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (M.L.); (M.L.)
| | - Rebekah Karns
- Departments of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA;
| | - Genevieve Gourdon
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, 75013 Paris, France;
| | - Diana Lindquist
- Imagine Research Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA;
| | - Nikolai A. Timchenko
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA;
- Department of Surgery, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Lubov Timchenko
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; (M.L.); (M.L.)
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA;
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14
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Porquet F, Weidong L, Jehasse K, Gazon H, Kondili M, Blacher S, Massotte L, Di Valentin E, Furling D, Gillet NA, Klein AF, Seutin V, Willems L. Specific DMPK-promoter targeting by CRISPRi reverses myotonic dystrophy type 1-associated defects in patient muscle cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:857-871. [PMID: 37273786 PMCID: PMC10238591 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a neuromuscular disease that originates from an expansion of CTG microsatellites in the 3' untranslated region of the DMPK gene, thus leading to the expression of transcripts containing expanded CUG repeats (CUGexp). The pathophysiology is explained by a toxic RNA gain of function where CUGexp RNAs form nuclear aggregates that sequester and alter the function of MBNL splicing factors, triggering splicing misregulation linked to the DM1 symptoms. There is currently no cure for DM1, and most therapeutic strategies aim at eliminating CUGexp-DMPK transcripts. Here, we investigate a DMPK-promoter silencing strategy using CRISPR interference as a new alternative approach. Different sgRNAs targeting the DMPK promoter are evaluated in DM1 patient muscle cells. The most effective guides allowed us to reduce the level of DMPK transcripts and CUGexp-RNA aggregates up to 80%. The CUGexp-DMPK repression corrects the overall transcriptome, including spliceopathy, and reverses a physiological parameter in DM1 muscle cells. Its action is specific and restricted to the DMPK gene, as confirmed by genome-wide expression analysis. Altogether, our findings highlight DMPK-promoter silencing by CRISPRi as a promising therapeutic approach for DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florent Porquet
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Epigenetics, GIGA-Cancer, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, GIGA-Neurosciences, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Lin Weidong
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Epigenetics, GIGA-Cancer, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Kévin Jehasse
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, GIGA-Neurosciences, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Hélène Gazon
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Epigenetics, GIGA-Cancer, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Maria Kondili
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Silvia Blacher
- Laboratory of Biology of Tumor and Development, GIGA-Cancer, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Laurent Massotte
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, GIGA-Neurosciences, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Denis Furling
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Albert Gillet
- Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), Integrated Veterinary Research Unit (URVI), University of Namur, 5000 Namur, Belgium
| | - Arnaud François Klein
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Vincent Seutin
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, GIGA-Neurosciences, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
| | - Luc Willems
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Epigenetics, GIGA-Cancer, ULiège, 4000 Liège, Belgium
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15
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Cisco LA, Sipple MT, Edwards KM, Thornton CA, Lueck JD. Combinatorial chloride and calcium channelopathy in myotonic dystrophy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.29.542752. [PMID: 37398406 PMCID: PMC10312834 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.29.542752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) involves misregulated alternative splicing for specific genes. We used exon or nucleotide deletion to mimic altered splicing of genes central to muscle excitation-contraction coupling processes in mice. Mice with forced-skipping of exon 29 in CaV1.1 calcium channel combined with loss of ClC-1 chloride channel function showed a markedly reduced lifespan, whereas other combinations of splicing mimics did not affect survival. The Ca2+/Cl- bi-channelopathy mice exhibited myotonia, weakness, and impairment of mobility and respiration. Chronic administration of the calcium channel blocker verapamil rescued survival and improved force generation, myotonia, and respiratory function. These results suggest that Ca2+/Cl- bi-channelopathy contributes to muscle impairment in DM1 and is potentially mitigated by common clinically available calcium channel blockers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily A. Cisco
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Matthew T. Sipple
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Katherine M. Edwards
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Charles A. Thornton
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - John D. Lueck
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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16
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Penna MS, Hu RC, Rodney GG, Cooper TA. The role of Limch1 alternative splicing in skeletal muscle function. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201868. [PMID: 36977593 PMCID: PMC10052820 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Postnatal skeletal muscle development is a highly dynamic period associated with widespread alternative splicing changes required to adapt tissues to adult function. These splicing events have significant implications because the reversion of adult mRNA isoforms to fetal isoforms is observed in forms of muscular dystrophy. LIMCH1 is a stress fiber-associated protein that is alternatively spliced to generate uLIMCH1, a ubiquitously expressed isoform, and mLIMCH1, a skeletal muscle-specific isoform containing six additional exons simultaneously included after birth in the mouse. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to delete the six alternatively spliced exons of LIMCH1 in mice, thereby forcing the constitutive expression of the predominantly fetal isoform, uLIMCH1. mLIMCH1 knockout mice had significant grip strength weakness in vivo, and maximum force generated was decreased ex vivo. Calcium-handling deficits were observed during myofiber stimulation that could explain the mechanism by which mLIMCH1 knockout leads to muscle weakness. In addition, LIMCH1 is mis-spliced in myotonic dystrophy type 1, with the muscleblind-like (MBNL) family of proteins acting as the likely major regulator of Limch1 alternative splicing in skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Penna
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rong-Chi Hu
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - George G Rodney
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Thomas A Cooper
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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17
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Hu N, Kim E, Antoury L, Wheeler TM. Correction of Clcn1 alternative splicing reverses muscle fiber type transition in mice with myotonic dystrophy. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1956. [PMID: 37029100 PMCID: PMC10082032 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37619-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), deregulated alternative splicing of the muscle chloride channel Clcn1 causes myotonia, a delayed relaxation of muscles due to repetitive action potentials. The degree of weakness in adult DM1 is associated with increased frequency of oxidative muscle fibers. However, the mechanism for glycolytic-to-oxidative fiber type transition in DM1 and its relationship to myotonia are uncertain. Here we cross two mouse models of DM1 to create a double homozygous model that features progressive functional impairment, severe myotonia, and near absence of type 2B glycolytic fibers. Intramuscular injection of an antisense oligonucleotide for targeted skipping of Clcn1 exon 7a corrects Clcn1 alternative splicing, increases glycolytic 2B levels to ≥ 40% frequency, reduces muscle injury, and improves fiber hypertrophy relative to treatment with a control oligo. Our results demonstrate that fiber type transitions in DM1 result from myotonia and are reversible, and support the development of Clcn1-targeting therapies for DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningyan Hu
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eunjoo Kim
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Layal Antoury
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thurman M Wheeler
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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18
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Thornton CA, Moxley RT, Eichinger K, Heatwole C, Mignon L, Arnold WD, Ashizawa T, Day JW, Dent G, Tanner MK, Duong T, Greene EP, Herbelin L, Johnson NE, King W, Kissel JT, Leung DG, Lott DJ, Norris DA, Pucillo EM, Schell W, Statland JM, Stinson N, Subramony SH, Xia S, Bishop KM, Bennett CF. Antisense oligonucleotide targeting DMPK in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1: a multicentre, randomised, dose-escalation, placebo-controlled, phase 1/2a trial. Lancet Neurol 2023; 22:218-228. [PMID: 36804094 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00001-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myotonic dystrophy type 1 results from an RNA gain-of-function mutation, in which DM1 protein kinase (DMPK) transcripts carrying expanded trinucleotide repeats exert deleterious effects. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) provide a promising approach to treatment of myotonic dystrophy type 1 because they reduce toxic RNA levels. We aimed to investigate the safety of baliforsen (ISIS 598769), an ASO targeting DMPK mRNA. METHODS In this dose-escalation phase 1/2a trial, adults aged 20-55 years with myotonic dystrophy type 1 were enrolled at seven tertiary referral centres in the USA and randomly assigned via an interactive web or phone response system to subcutaneous injections of baliforsen 100 mg, 200 mg, or 300 mg, or placebo (6:2 randomisation at each dose level), or to baliforsen 400 mg or 600 mg, or placebo (10:2 randomisation at each dose level), on days 1, 3, 5, 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36. Sponsor personnel directly involved with the trial, participants, and all study personnel were masked to treatment assignments. The primary outcome measure was safety in all participants who received at least one dose of study drug up to day 134. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02312011), and is complete. FINDINGS Between Dec 12, 2014, and Feb 22, 2016, 49 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to baliforsen 100 mg (n=7, one patient not dosed), 200 mg (n=6), 300 mg (n=6), 400 mg (n=10), 600 mg (n=10), or placebo (n=10). The safety population comprised 48 participants who received at least one dose of study drug. Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported for 36 (95%) of 38 participants assigned to baliforsen and nine (90%) of ten participants assigned to placebo. Aside from injection-site reactions, common treatment-emergent adverse events were headache (baliforsen: ten [26%] of 38 participants; placebo: four [40%] of ten participants), contusion (baliforsen: seven [18%] of 38; placebo: one [10%] of ten), and nausea (baliforsen: six [16%] of 38; placebo: two [20%] of ten). Most adverse events (baliforsen: 425 [86%] of 494; placebo: 62 [85%] of 73) were mild in severity. One participant (baliforsen 600 mg) developed transient thrombocytopenia considered potentially treatment related. Baliforsen concentrations in skeletal muscle increased with dose. INTERPRETATION Baliforsen was generally well tolerated. However, skeletal muscle drug concentrations were below levels predicted to achieve substantial target reduction. These results support the further investigation of ASOs as a therapeutic approach for myotonic dystrophy type 1, but suggest improved drug delivery to muscle is needed. FUNDING Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Biogen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Chad Heatwole
- Center for Health and Technology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Laurence Mignon
- Translational Medicine, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA, USA
| | - W David Arnold
- Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tetsuo Ashizawa
- Neuroscience Research Program, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John W Day
- Neuromuscular Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Gersham Dent
- Neurodegeneration Development Unit, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Tina Duong
- Neuromuscular Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Ericka P Greene
- Neuromuscular Clinic, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Laura Herbelin
- Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | | | - Wendy King
- Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - John T Kissel
- Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Doris G Leung
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Donovan J Lott
- Physical Therapy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Daniel A Norris
- Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Pharmacology, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA, USA
| | | | - Wendy Schell
- Neuromuscular Clinic, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Nikia Stinson
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sub H Subramony
- Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Shuting Xia
- Biometrics, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA, USA
| | - Kathie M Bishop
- Clinical Development, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA, USA
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19
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Sansone VA. Antisense oligonucleotides in myotonic dystrophy type 1: lessons learnt. Lancet Neurol 2023; 22:191-192. [PMID: 36804078 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00040-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Valeria A Sansone
- The NeMO Clinical Center in Milan, Neurorehabilitation Unit, University of Milan, Milan 20162, Italy.
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20
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Neault N, Ravel-Chapuis A, Baird SD, Lunde JA, Poirier M, Staykov E, Plaza-Diaz J, Medina G, Abadía-Molina F, Jasmin BJ, MacKenzie AE. Vorinostat Improves Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Splicing Abnormalities in DM1 Muscle Cell Lines and Skeletal Muscle from a DM1 Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043794. [PMID: 36835205 PMCID: PMC9964082 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), the most common form of adult muscular dystrophy, is caused by an abnormal expansion of CTG repeats in the 3' untranslated region of the dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) gene. The expanded repeats of the DMPK mRNA form hairpin structures in vitro, which cause misregulation and/or sequestration of proteins including the splicing regulator muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1). In turn, misregulation and sequestration of such proteins result in the aberrant alternative splicing of diverse mRNAs and underlie, at least in part, DM1 pathogenesis. It has been previously shown that disaggregating RNA foci repletes free MBNL1, rescues DM1 spliceopathy, and alleviates associated symptoms such as myotonia. Using an FDA-approved drug library, we have screened for a reduction of CUG foci in patient muscle cells and identified the HDAC inhibitor, vorinostat, as an inhibitor of foci formation; SERCA1 (sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase) spliceopathy was also improved by vorinostat treatment. Vorinostat treatment in a mouse model of DM1 (human skeletal actin-long repeat; HSALR) improved several spliceopathies, reduced muscle central nucleation, and restored chloride channel levels at the sarcolemma. Our in vitro and in vivo evidence showing amelioration of several DM1 disease markers marks vorinostat as a promising novel DM1 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafisa Neault
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 5B2, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Eric Poulin Center for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Aymeric Ravel-Chapuis
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Eric Poulin Center for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Stephen D. Baird
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 5B2, Canada
| | - John A. Lunde
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Eric Poulin Center for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Mathieu Poirier
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 5B2, Canada
| | - Emiliyan Staykov
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 5B2, Canada
| | - Julio Plaza-Diaz
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 5B2, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, School of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria IBS.GRANADA, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Granada, 18014 Granada, Spain
| | - Gerardo Medina
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 5B2, Canada
| | - Francisco Abadía-Molina
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology “José Mataix”, Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Armilla, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - Bernard J. Jasmin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Eric Poulin Center for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Alex E. MacKenzie
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 5B2, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Eric Poulin Center for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-613-737-2772
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21
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Pluripotent Stem Cells in Disease Modeling and Drug Discovery for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040571. [PMID: 36831237 PMCID: PMC9954118 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a progressive multisystemic disease caused by the expansion of a CTG repeat tract within the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of the dystrophia myotonica protein kinase gene (DMPK). Although DM1 is considered to be the most frequent myopathy of genetic origin in adults, DM1 patients exhibit a vast diversity of symptoms, affecting many different organs. Up until now, different in vitro models from patients' derived cells have largely contributed to the current understanding of DM1. Most of those studies have focused on muscle physiopathology. However, regarding the multisystemic aspect of DM1, there is still a crucial need for relevant cellular models to cover the whole complexity of the disease and open up options for new therapeutic approaches. This review discusses how human pluripotent stem cell-based models significantly contributed to DM1 mechanism decoding, and how they provided new therapeutic strategies that led to actual phase III clinical trials.
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22
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Misquitta NS, Ravel-Chapuis A, Jasmin BJ. Combinatorial treatment with exercise and AICAR potentiates the rescue of myotonic dystrophy type 1 mouse muscles in a sex-specific manner. Hum Mol Genet 2023; 32:551-566. [PMID: 36048859 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is emerging as a promising strategy for treating myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), the most prevalent form of adult-onset muscular dystrophy. We previously demonstrated that 5-aminomidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR) and exercise, two potent AMPK activators, improve disease features in DM1 mouse skeletal muscles. Here, we employed a combinatorial approach with these AMPK activators and examined their joint impact on disease severity in male and female DM1 mice. Our data reveal that swimming exercise additively enhances the effect of AICAR in mitigating the nuclear accumulation of toxic CUGexp RNA foci. In addition, our findings show a trend towards an enhanced reversal of MBNL1 sequestration and correction in pathogenic alternative splicing events. Our results further demonstrate that the combinatorial impact of exercise and AICAR promotes muscle fiber hypertrophy in DM1 skeletal muscle. Importantly, these improvements occur in a sex-specific manner with greater benefits observed in female DM1 mice. Our findings demonstrate that combining AMPK-activating interventions may prove optimal for rescuing the DM1 muscle phenotype and uncover important sex differences in the response to AMPK-based therapeutic strategies in DM1 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi S Misquitta
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,The Eric J. Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Aymeric Ravel-Chapuis
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,The Eric J. Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Bernard J Jasmin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,The Eric J. Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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23
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Todorow V, Hintze S, Schoser B, Meinke P. Nuclear envelope transmembrane proteins involved in genome organization are misregulated in myotonic dystrophy type 1 muscle. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1007331. [PMID: 36699009 PMCID: PMC9868253 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1007331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 is a multisystemic disorder with predominant muscle and neurological involvement. Despite a well described pathomechanism, which is primarily a global missplicing due to sequestration of RNA-binding proteins, there are still many unsolved questions. One such question is the disease etiology in the different affected tissues. We observed alterations at the nuclear envelope in primary muscle cell cultures before. This led us to reanalyze a published RNA-sequencing dataset of DM1 and control muscle biopsies regarding the misregulation of NE proteins. We could identify several muscle NE protein encoding genes to be misregulated depending on the severity of the muscle phenotype. Among these misregulated genes were NE transmembrane proteins (NETs) involved in nuclear-cytoskeletal coupling as well as genome organization. For selected genes, we could confirm that observed gene-misregulation led to protein expression changes. Furthermore, we investigated if genes known to be under expression-regulation by genome organization NETs were also misregulated in DM1 biopsies, which revealed that misregulation of two NETs alone is likely responsible for differential expression of about 10% of all genes being differentially expressed in DM1. Notably, the majority of NETs identified here to be misregulated in DM1 muscle are mutated in Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy or clinical similar muscular dystrophies, suggesting a broader similarity on the molecular level for muscular dystrophies than anticipated. This shows not only the importance of muscle NETs in muscle health and disease, but also highlights the importance of the NE in DM1 disease progression.
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24
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Campiglio M, Dyrda A, Tuinte WE, Török E. Ca V1.1 Calcium Channel Signaling Complexes in Excitation-Contraction Coupling: Insights from Channelopathies. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2023; 279:3-39. [PMID: 36592225 DOI: 10.1007/164_2022_627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
In skeletal muscle, excitation-contraction (EC) coupling relies on the mechanical coupling between two ion channels: the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel (CaV1.1), located in the sarcolemma and functioning as the voltage sensor of EC coupling, and the ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1), located on the sarcoplasmic reticulum serving as the calcium release channel. To this day, the molecular mechanism by which these two ion channels are linked remains elusive. However, recently, skeletal muscle EC coupling could be reconstituted in heterologous cells, revealing that only four proteins are essential for this process: CaV1.1, RyR1, and the cytosolic proteins CaVβ1a and STAC3. Due to the crucial role of these proteins in skeletal muscle EC coupling, any mutation that affects any one of these proteins can have devastating consequences, resulting in congenital myopathies and other pathologies.Here, we summarize the current knowledge concerning these four essential proteins and discuss the pathophysiology of the CaV1.1, RyR1, and STAC3-related skeletal muscle diseases with an emphasis on the molecular mechanisms. Being part of the same signalosome, mutations in different proteins often result in congenital myopathies with similar symptoms or even in the same disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Campiglio
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Agnieszka Dyrda
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Wietske E Tuinte
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Enikő Török
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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25
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Peterson JAM, Cooper TA. Clinical and Molecular Insights into Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Myotonic Dystrophy Types 1 & 2. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314779. [PMID: 36499107 PMCID: PMC9737721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is a highly variable, multisystemic disorder that clinically affects one in 8000 individuals. While research has predominantly focused on the symptoms and pathological mechanisms affecting striated muscle and brain, DM patient surveys have identified a high prevalence for gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms amongst affected individuals. Clinical studies have identified chronic and progressive dysfunction of the esophagus, stomach, liver and gallbladder, small and large intestine, and rectum and anal sphincters. Despite the high incidence of GI dysmotility in DM, little is known regarding the pathological mechanisms leading to GI dysfunction. In this review, we summarize results from clinical and molecular analyses of GI dysfunction in both genetic forms of DM, DM type 1 (DM1) and DM type 2 (DM2). Based on current knowledge of DM primary pathological mechanisms in other affected tissues and GI tissue studies, we suggest that misregulation of alternative splicing in smooth muscle resulting from the dysregulation of RNA binding proteins muscleblind-like and CUGBP-elav-like is likely to contribute to GI dysfunction in DM. We propose that a combinatorial approach using clinical and molecular analysis of DM GI tissues and model organisms that recapitulate DM GI manifestations will provide important insight into defects impacting DM GI motility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janel A. M. Peterson
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Thomas A. Cooper
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Integrative Physiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence:
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26
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Al-Sabri MH, Behare N, Alsehli AM, Berkins S, Arora A, Antoniou E, Moysiadou EI, Anantha-Krishnan S, Cosmen PD, Vikner J, Moulin TC, Ammar N, Boukhatmi H, Clemensson LE, Rask-Andersen M, Mwinyi J, Williams MJ, Fredriksson R, Schiöth HB. Statins Induce Locomotion and Muscular Phenotypes in Drosophila melanogaster That Are Reminiscent of Human Myopathy: Evidence for the Role of the Chloride Channel Inhibition in the Muscular Phenotypes. Cells 2022; 11:3528. [PMID: 36428957 PMCID: PMC9688544 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The underlying mechanisms for statin-induced myopathy (SIM) are still equivocal. In this study, we employ Drosophila melanogaster to dissect possible underlying mechanisms for SIM. We observe that chronic fluvastatin treatment causes reduced general locomotion activity and climbing ability. In addition, transmission microscopy of dissected skeletal muscles of fluvastatin-treated flies reveals strong myofibrillar damage, including increased sarcomere lengths and Z-line streaming, which are reminiscent of myopathy, along with fragmented mitochondria of larger sizes, most of which are round-like shapes. Furthermore, chronic fluvastatin treatment is associated with impaired lipid metabolism and insulin signalling. Mechanistically, knockdown of the statin-target Hmgcr in the skeletal muscles recapitulates fluvastatin-induced mitochondrial phenotypes and lowered general locomotion activity; however, it was not sufficient to alter sarcomere length or elicit myofibrillar damage compared to controls or fluvastatin treatment. Moreover, we found that fluvastatin treatment was associated with reduced expression of the skeletal muscle chloride channel, ClC-a (Drosophila homolog of CLCN1), while selective knockdown of skeletal muscle ClC-a also recapitulated fluvastatin-induced myofibril damage and increased sarcomere lengths. Surprisingly, exercising fluvastatin-treated flies restored ClC-a expression and normalized sarcomere lengths, suggesting that fluvastatin-induced myofibrillar phenotypes could be linked to lowered ClC-a expression. Taken together, these results may indicate the potential role of ClC-a inhibition in statin-associated muscular phenotypes. This study underlines the importance of Drosophila melanogaster as a powerful model system for elucidating the locomotion and muscular phenotypes, promoting a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying SIM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed H. Al-Sabri
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Center (BMC), Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Neha Behare
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Center (BMC), Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ahmed M. Alsehli
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Center (BMC), Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
- Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University and Hospital, Al Ehtifalat St., Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samuel Berkins
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Center (BMC), Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Aadeya Arora
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Center (BMC), Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eirini Antoniou
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Center (BMC), Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Eleni I. Moysiadou
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Center (BMC), Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sowmya Anantha-Krishnan
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Center (BMC), Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Patricia D. Cosmen
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Center (BMC), Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johanna Vikner
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Center (BMC), Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Thiago C. Moulin
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Center (BMC), Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Sölvegatan 19, BMC F10, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Nourhene Ammar
- Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes (IGDR), Université de Rennes, CNRS, UMR6290, 35065 Rennes, France
| | - Hadi Boukhatmi
- Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes (IGDR), Université de Rennes, CNRS, UMR6290, 35065 Rennes, France
| | - Laura E. Clemensson
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Center (BMC), Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mathias Rask-Andersen
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jessica Mwinyi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Center (BMC), Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Michael J. Williams
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Center (BMC), Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Robert Fredriksson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Uppsala University, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Helgi B. Schiöth
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Division of Functional Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Biomedical Center (BMC), Uppsala University, Husargatan 3, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
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27
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De Serres-Bérard T, Ait Benichou S, Jauvin D, Boutjdir M, Puymirat J, Chahine M. Recent Progress and Challenges in the Development of Antisense Therapies for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13359. [PMID: 36362145 PMCID: PMC9657934 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a dominant genetic disease in which the expansion of long CTG trinucleotides in the 3' UTR of the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) gene results in toxic RNA gain-of-function and gene mis-splicing affecting mainly the muscles, the heart, and the brain. The CUG-expanded transcripts are a suitable target for the development of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies. Various chemical modifications of the sugar-phosphate backbone have been reported to significantly enhance the affinity of ASOs for RNA and their resistance to nucleases, making it possible to reverse DM1-like symptoms following systemic administration in different transgenic mouse models. However, specific tissue delivery remains to be improved to achieve significant clinical outcomes in humans. Several strategies, including ASO conjugation to cell-penetrating peptides, fatty acids, or monoclonal antibodies, have recently been shown to improve potency in muscle and cardiac tissues in mice. Moreover, intrathecal administration of ASOs may be an advantageous complementary administration route to bypass the blood-brain barrier and correct defects of the central nervous system in DM1. This review describes the evolution of the chemical design of antisense oligonucleotides targeting CUG-expanded mRNAs and how recent advances in the field may be game-changing by forwarding laboratory findings into clinical research and treatments for DM1 and other microsatellite diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiéry De Serres-Bérard
- CERVO Research Center, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Quebec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Siham Ait Benichou
- LOEX, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Dominic Jauvin
- CERVO Research Center, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Quebec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Mohamed Boutjdir
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, New York, NY 11209, USA
- Department of Medicine, Cell Biology and Pharmacology, State University of New York Downstate Health Science University, New York, NY 11203, USA
- Department of Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jack Puymirat
- LOEX, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Mohamed Chahine
- CERVO Research Center, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Quebec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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28
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Braun M, Shoshani S, Tabach Y. Transcriptome changes in DM1 patients’ tissues are governed by the RNA interference pathway. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:955753. [PMID: 36060259 PMCID: PMC9437208 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.955753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic disease caused by pathogenic expansions of CTG repeats. The expanded repeats are transcribed to long RNA and induce cellular toxicity. Recent studies suggest that the CUG repeats are processed by the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway to generate small interfering repeated RNA (siRNA). However, the effects of the CTG repeat-derived siRNAs remain unclear. We hypothesize that the RNAi machinery in DM1 patients generates distinct gene expression patterns that determine the disease phenotype in the individual patient. The abundance of genes with complementary repeats that are targeted by siRNAs in each tissue determines the way that the tissue is affected in DM1. We integrated and analyzed published transcriptome data from muscle, heart, and brain biopsies of DM1 patients, and revealed shared, characteristic changes that correlated with disease phenotype. These signatures are overrepresented by genes and transcription factors bearing endogenous CTG/CAG repeats and are governed by aberrant activity of the RNAi machinery, miRNAs, and a specific gain-of-function of the CTG repeats. Computational analysis of the DM1 transcriptome enhances our understanding of the complex pathophysiology of the disease and may reveal a path for cure.
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29
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Ravel-Chapuis A, Duchesne E, Jasmin BJ. Pharmacological and exercise-induced activation of AMPK as emerging therapies for myotonic dystrophy type 1 patients. J Physiol 2022; 600:3249-3264. [PMID: 35695045 DOI: 10.1113/jp282725] [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: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic disorder with variable clinical features. Currently, there is no cure or effective treatment for DM1. The disease is caused by an expansion of CUG repeats in the 3' UTR of DMPK mRNAs. Mutant DMPK mRNAs accumulate in nuclei as RNA foci and trigger an imbalance in the level and localization of RNA-binding proteins causing the characteristic missplicing events that account for the varied DM1 symptoms, a disease mechanism referred to as RNA toxicity. In recent years, multiple signalling pathways have been identified as being aberrantly regulated in skeletal muscle in response to the CUG expansion, including AMPK, a sensor of energy status, as well as a master regulator of cellular energy homeostasis. Converging lines of evidence highlight the benefits of activating AMPK signalling pharmacologically on RNA toxicity, as well as on muscle histology and function, in preclinical DM1 models. Importantly, a clinical trial with metformin, an activator of AMPK, resulted in functional benefits in DM1 patients. In addition, exercise, a known AMPK activator, has shown promising effects on RNA toxicity and muscle function in DM1 mice. Finally, clinical trials involving moderate-intensity exercise also induced functional benefits for DM1 patients. Taken together, these studies clearly demonstrate the molecular, histological and functional benefits of AMPK activation and exercise-based interventions on the DM1 phenotype. Despite these advances, several key questions remain; in particular, the extent of the true implication of AMPK in the observed beneficial improvements, as well as how, mechanistically, activation of AMPK signalling improves the DM1 pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aymeric Ravel-Chapuis
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Eric Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Elise Duchesne
- Département des sciences de la santé, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Chicoutimi, QC, Canada.,Groupe de Recherche Interdisciplinaire sur les Maladies Neuromusculaires (GRIMN), Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Hôpital de Jonquière, QC, Canada
| | - Bernard J Jasmin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Eric Poulin Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Nakamori M, Shimizu H, Ogawa K, Hasuike Y, Nakajima T, Sakurai H, Araki T, Okada Y, Kakita A, Mochizuki H. Cell type-specific abnormalities of central nervous system in myotonic dystrophy type 1. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac154. [PMID: 35770133 PMCID: PMC9218787 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 is a multisystem genetic disorder involving the muscle, heart and CNS. It is caused by toxic RNA transcription from expanded CTG repeats in the 3′-untranslated region of DMPK, leading to dysregulated splicing of various genes and multisystemic symptoms. Although aberrant splicing of several genes has been identified as the cause of some muscular symptoms, the pathogenesis of CNS symptoms prevalent in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 remains unelucidated, possibly due to a limitation in studying a diverse mixture of different cell types, including neuronal cells and glial cells. Previous studies revealed neuronal loss in the cortex, myelin loss in the white matter and the presence of axonal neuropathy in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1. To elucidate the CNS pathogenesis, we investigated cell type-specific abnormalities in cortical neurons, white matter glial cells and spinal motor neurons via laser-capture microdissection. We observed that the CTG repeat instability and cytosine–phosphate–guanine (CpG) methylation status varied among the CNS cell lineages; cortical neurons had more unstable and longer repeats with higher CpG methylation than white matter glial cells, and spinal motor neurons had more stable repeats with lower methylation status. We also identified splicing abnormalities in each CNS cell lineage, such as DLGAP1 in white matter glial cells and CAMKK2 in spinal motor neurons. Furthermore, we demonstrated that aberrant splicing of CAMKK2 is associated with abnormal neurite morphology in myotonic dystrophy type 1 motor neurons. Our laser-capture microdissection-based study revealed cell type-dependent genetic, epigenetic and splicing abnormalities in myotonic dystrophy type 1 CNS, indicating the significant potential of cell type-specific analysis in elucidating the CNS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Nakamori
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine , 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 , Japan
- Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives (OTRI), Osaka University , 1-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 , Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shimizu
- Department of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University , 1-757 Asahimachi, Chuo-ku, Niigata 951-8585 , Japan
| | - Kotaro Ogawa
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine , 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 , Japan
- Department of Statistical Genetics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine , 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 , Japan
| | - Yuhei Hasuike
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine , 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 , Japan
| | - Takashi Nakajima
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Niigata National Hospital , 3-52 Akasakamachi, Kashiwazaki, Niigata 945-8585 , Japan
| | - Hidetoshi Sakurai
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University , 53 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507 , Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Araki
- Department of Peripheral Nervous System Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry , 4-1-1 Ogawahigashimachi, Kodaira, Tokyo 187-8502 , Japan
| | - Yukinori Okada
- Department of Statistical Genetics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine , 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 , Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Kakita
- Department of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University , 1-757 Asahimachi, Chuo-ku, Niigata 951-8585 , Japan
| | - Hideki Mochizuki
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine , 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871 , Japan
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31
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Hasuike Y, Mochizuki H, Nakamori M. Expanded CUG Repeat RNA Induces Premature Senescence in Myotonic Dystrophy Model Cells. Front Genet 2022; 13:865811. [PMID: 35401669 PMCID: PMC8990169 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.865811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a dominantly inherited disorder due to a toxic gain of function of RNA transcripts containing expanded CUG repeats (CUGexp). Patients with DM1 present with multisystemic symptoms, such as muscle wasting, cognitive impairment, cataract, frontal baldness, and endocrine defects, which resemble accelerated aging. Although the involvement of cellular senescence, a critical component of aging, was suggested in studies of DM1 patient-derived cells, the detailed mechanism of cellular senescence caused by CUGexp RNA remains unelucidated. Here, we developed a DM1 cell model that conditionally expressed CUGexp RNA in human primary cells so that we could perform a detailed assessment that eliminated the variability in primary cells from different origins. Our DM1 model cells demonstrated that CUGexp RNA expression induced cellular senescence by a telomere-independent mechanism. Furthermore, the toxic RNA expression caused mitochondrial dysfunction, excessive reactive oxygen species production, and DNA damage and response, resulting in the senescence-associated increase of cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p16 and secreted mediators insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). This study provides unequivocal evidence of the induction of premature senescence by CUGexp RNA in our DM1 model cells.
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32
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Degener MJF, van Cruchten RTP, Otero BA, Wang E, Wansink DG, ‘t Hoen PAC. A comprehensive atlas of fetal splicing patterns in the brain of adult myotonic dystrophy type 1 patients. NAR Genom Bioinform 2022; 4:lqac016. [PMID: 35274098 PMCID: PMC8903011 DOI: 10.1093/nargab/lqac016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), dysregulation of RNA-binding proteins like MBNL and CELF1 leads to alternative splicing of exons and is thought to induce a return to fetal splicing patterns in adult tissues, including the central nervous system (CNS). To comprehensively evaluate this, we created an atlas of developmentally regulated splicing patterns in the frontal cortex of healthy individuals and DM1 patients, by combining RNA-seq data from BrainSpan, GTEx and DM1 patients. Thirty-four splice events displayed an inclusion pattern in DM1 patients that is typical for the fetal situation in healthy individuals. The regulation of DM1-relevant splicing patterns could partly be explained by changes in mRNA expression of the splice regulators MBNL1, MBNL2 and CELF1. On the contrary, interindividual differences in splicing patterns between healthy adults could not be explained by differential expression of these splice regulators. Our findings lend transcriptome-wide evidence to the previously noted shift to fetal splicing patterns in the adult DM1 brain as a consequence of an imbalance in antagonistic MBNL and CELF1 activities. Our atlas serves as a solid foundation for further study and understanding of the cognitive phenotype in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max J F Degener
- Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Remco T P van Cruchten
- Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Brittney A Otero
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, FL 32610-0266 Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Eric T Wang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, FL 32610-0266 Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Derick G Wansink
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A C ‘t Hoen
- Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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33
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Cellular Senescence and Aging in Myotonic Dystrophy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042339. [PMID: 35216455 PMCID: PMC8877951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is a dominantly inherited multisystemic disorder affecting various organs, such as skeletal muscle, heart, the nervous system, and the eye. Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2) are caused by expanded CTG and CCTG repeats, respectively. In both forms, the mutant transcripts containing expanded repeats aggregate as nuclear foci and sequester several RNA-binding proteins, resulting in alternative splicing dysregulation. Although certain alternative splicing events are linked to the clinical DM phenotypes, the molecular mechanisms underlying multiple DM symptoms remain unclear. Interestingly, multi-systemic DM manifestations, including muscle weakness, cognitive impairment, cataract, and frontal baldness, resemble premature aging. Furthermore, cellular senescence, a critical contributor to aging, is suggested to play a key role in DM cellular pathophysiology. In particular, several senescence inducers including telomere shortening, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress and senescence biomarkers such as cell cycle inhibitors, senescence-associated secretory phenotype, chromatin reorganization, and microRNA have been implicated in DM pathogenesis. In this review, we focus on the clinical similarities between DM and aging, and summarize the involvement of cellular senescence in DM and the potential application of anti-aging DM therapies.
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34
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Dominici C, Richard S. Muscle stem cell polarity requires QKI-mediated alternative splicing of Integrin Alpha-7 (Itga7). Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/5/e202101192. [PMID: 35165120 PMCID: PMC8860092 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The RNA-binding protein Quaking (QKI) is a post-transcriptional regulator of genes encoding polarity proteins in muscle stem cells. Loss of QKI in MuSCs results in reduced myogenic progenitors and a striking muscle regeneration defect. Muscle stem cells (MuSCs) have the ability to carry out the specialized function of cell polarization, which is required for the production of one repopulating cell and one myogenic progenitor cell with muscle regeneration capabilities. The mechanisms which regulate proteins involved in establishing MuSC polarity such as Dmd and Itga7 are currently not well understood. Herein, we define the RNA-binding protein Quaking (QKI) as a major regulator alternative splicing of key MuSC polarity factors including Dmd, Itga7, Mark2, and Numb. We generate a conditional QKI knockout mouse, and for the first time it is shown in vivo that deficiency of QKI in MuSCs results in reduced asymmetric cell divisions, leading to a loss of the myogenic progenitor cell population and striking muscle regeneration defects. Transcriptomic analysis of QKI-deficient MuSCs identifies QKI as a regulator of the splicing events which give rise to the mutually exclusive Itga7-X1 and -X2 isoforms. We observe increased X1 expression in QKI-deficient MuSCs and recapitulate this splicing event using antisense oligonucleotide directed against a quaking binding site within the Itga7 mRNA. Interestingly, recreating this single splicing event is detrimental to the polarization of Itga7 and Dmd proteins, and leads to a drastic reduction of the myogenic progenitor population, highlighting the significance of QKI-mediated alternative splicing of Itga7 in maintaining MuSC polarity. Altogether, these findings define a novel role for QKI as a post-transcriptional regulator of MuSC polarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Dominici
- Segal Cancer Center, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research and Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology and Departments of Medicine, Human Genetics and Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Stéphane Richard
- Segal Cancer Center, Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research and Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology and Departments of Medicine, Human Genetics and Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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35
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Bulea TC, Guth A, Sarkar N, Gravunder A, Hodsdon B, Farrell K, Comis LE, Parks R, Shimellis H, Ndege V, Ho PS, Mankodi A. Simple and economical HandClench Relaxometer device for reliable and sensitive measurement of grip myotonia in myotonic dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2022; 32:321-331. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2022.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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36
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Kajdasz A, Niewiadomska D, Sekrecki M, Sobczak K. Distribution of alternative untranslated regions within the mRNA of the CELF1 splicing factor affects its expression. Sci Rep 2022; 12:190. [PMID: 34996980 PMCID: PMC8742084 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03901-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
CUG-binding protein, ELAV-like Family Member 1 (CELF1) plays an important role during the development of different tissues, such as striated muscle and brain tissue. CELF1 is an RNA-binding protein that regulates RNA metabolism processes, e.g., alternative splicing, and antagonizes other RNA-binding proteins, such as Muscleblind-like proteins (MBNLs). Abnormal activity of both classes of proteins plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults. In this work, we show that alternative splicing of exons forming both the 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of CELF1 mRNA is efficiently regulated during development and tissue differentiation and is disrupted in skeletal muscles in the context of DM1. Alternative splicing of the CELF1 5'UTR leads to translation of two potential protein isoforms that differ in the lengths of their N-terminal domains. We also show that the MBNL and CELF proteins regulate the distribution of mRNA splicing isoforms with different 5'UTRs and 3'UTRs and affect the CELF1 expression by changing its sensitivity to specific microRNAs or RNA-binding proteins. Together, our findings show the existence of different mechanisms of regulation of CELF1 expression through the distribution of various 5' and 3' UTR isoforms within CELF1 mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arkadiusz Kajdasz
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 6, 61-614, Poznan, Poland
| | - Daria Niewiadomska
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 6, 61-614, Poznan, Poland
| | - Michal Sekrecki
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 6, 61-614, Poznan, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Sobczak
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan, Uniwersytetu Poznanskiego 6, 61-614, Poznan, Poland.
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37
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Dastidar S, Majumdar D, Tipanee J, Singh K, Klein AF, Furling D, Chuah MK, VandenDriessche T. Comprehensive transcriptome-wide analysis of spliceopathy correction of myotonic dystrophy using CRISPR-Cas9 in iPSCs-derived cardiomyocytes. Mol Ther 2022; 30:75-91. [PMID: 34371182 PMCID: PMC8753376 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
CTG repeat expansion (CTGexp) is associated with aberrant alternate splicing that contributes to cardiac dysfunction in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Excision of this CTGexp repeat using CRISPR-Cas resulted in the disappearance of punctate ribonuclear foci in cardiomyocyte-like cells derived from DM1-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This was associated with correction of the underlying spliceopathy as determined by RNA sequencing and alternate splicing analysis. Certain genes were of particular interest due to their role in cardiac development, maturation, and function (TPM4, CYP2J2, DMD, MBNL3, CACNA1H, ROCK2, ACTB) or their association with splicing (SMN2, GCFC2, MBNL3). Moreover, while comparing isogenic CRISPR-Cas9-corrected versus non-corrected DM1 cardiomyocytes, a prominent difference in the splicing pattern for a number of candidate genes was apparent pertaining to genes that are associated with cardiac function (TNNT, TNNT2, TTN, TPM1, SYNE1, CACNA1A, MTMR1, NEBL, TPM1), cellular signaling (NCOR2, CLIP1, LRRFIP2, CLASP1, CAMK2G), and other DM1-related genes (i.e., NUMA1, MBNL2, LDB3) in addition to the disease-causing DMPK gene itself. Subsequent validation using a selected gene subset, including MBNL1, MBNL2, INSR, ADD3, and CRTC2, further confirmed correction of the spliceopathy following CTGexp repeat excision. To our knowledge, the present study provides the first comprehensive unbiased transcriptome-wide analysis of the differential splicing landscape in DM1 patient-derived cardiac cells after excision of the CTGexp repeat using CRISPR-Cas9, showing reversal of the abnormal cardiac spliceopathy in DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumitava Dastidar
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Debanjana Majumdar
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jaitip Tipanee
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Kshitiz Singh
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Arnaud F. Klein
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Denis Furling
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Institut de Myologie, Centre de Recherche en Myologie, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Marinee K. Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium,Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium,Corresponding author: Marinee K. Chuah, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium,Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium,Corresponding author: Thierry VandenDriessche, Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium.
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38
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Jutzi D, Ruepp MD. Alternative Splicing in Human Biology and Disease. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2537:1-19. [PMID: 35895255 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2521-7_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Alternative pre-mRNA splicing allows for the production of multiple mRNAs from an individual gene, which not only expands the protein-coding potential of the genome but also enables complex mechanisms for the post-transcriptional control of gene expression. Regulation of alternative splicing entails a combinatorial interplay between an abundance of trans-acting splicing factors, cis-acting regulatory sequence elements and their concerted effects on the core splicing machinery. Given the extent and biological significance of alternative splicing in humans, it is not surprising that aberrant splicing patterns can cause or contribute to a wide range of diseases. In this introductory chapter, we outline the mechanisms that govern alternative pre-mRNA splicing and its regulation and discuss how dysregulated splicing contributes to human diseases affecting the motor system and the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Jutzi
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, UK.
| | - Marc-David Ruepp
- United Kingdom Dementia Research Institute Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, UK.
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39
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Cerro-Herreros E, González-Martínez I, Moreno N, Espinosa-Espinosa J, Fernández-Costa JM, Colom-Rodrigo A, Overby SJ, Seoane-Miraz D, Poyatos-García J, Vilchez JJ, López de Munain A, Varela MA, Wood MJ, Pérez-Alonso M, Llamusí B, Artero R. Preclinical characterization of antagomiR-218 as a potential treatment for myotonic dystrophy. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 26:174-191. [PMID: 34513303 PMCID: PMC8413838 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a rare neuromuscular disease caused by expansion of unstable CTG repeats in a non-coding region of the DMPK gene. CUG expansions in mutant DMPK transcripts sequester MBNL1 proteins in ribonuclear foci. Depletion of this protein is a primary contributor to disease symptoms such as muscle weakness and atrophy and myotonia, yet upregulation of endogenous MBNL1 levels may compensate for this sequestration. Having previously demonstrated that antisense oligonucleotides against miR-218 boost MBNL1 expression and rescue phenotypes in disease models, here we provide preclinical characterization of an antagomiR-218 molecule using the HSALR mouse model and patient-derived myotubes. In HSALR, antagomiR-218 reached 40–60 pM 2 weeks after injection, rescued molecular and functional phenotypes in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and showed a good toxicity profile after a single subcutaneous administration. In muscle tissue, antagomiR rescued the normal subcellular distribution of Mbnl1 and did not alter the proportion of myonuclei containing CUG foci. In patient-derived cells, antagomiR-218 improved defective fusion and differentiation and rescued up to 34% of the gene expression alterations found in the transcriptome of patient cells. Importantly, miR-218 was found to be upregulated in DM1 muscle biopsies, pinpointing this microRNA (miRNA) as a relevant therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Cerro-Herreros
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjasot, Valencia, Spain.,Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, Avenida Menéndez Pelayo 4 acc, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Irene González-Martínez
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjasot, Valencia, Spain.,Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, Avenida Menéndez Pelayo 4 acc, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Nerea Moreno
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjasot, Valencia, Spain.,Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, Avenida Menéndez Pelayo 4 acc, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jorge Espinosa-Espinosa
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjasot, Valencia, Spain.,Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, Avenida Menéndez Pelayo 4 acc, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan M Fernández-Costa
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjasot, Valencia, Spain.,Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, Avenida Menéndez Pelayo 4 acc, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Anna Colom-Rodrigo
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjasot, Valencia, Spain.,Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, Avenida Menéndez Pelayo 4 acc, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Sarah J Overby
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjasot, Valencia, Spain.,Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, Avenida Menéndez Pelayo 4 acc, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - David Seoane-Miraz
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, OX3 9DU, Oxford, UK.,MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Javier Poyatos-García
- The IISLAFE Health Research Institute, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell, 106 Torre A 7 planta, 46026 Valencia, Spain.,Neuromuscular Reference Centre ERN EURO-NMD and Neuromuscular Pathology and Ataxia Research Group, Hospital La Fe Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan J Vilchez
- The IISLAFE Health Research Institute, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell, 106 Torre A 7 planta, 46026 Valencia, Spain.,Neuromuscular Reference Centre ERN EURO-NMD and Neuromuscular Pathology and Ataxia Research Group, Hospital La Fe Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adolfo López de Munain
- Biodonostia Health Research Institute, P° Dr. Beguiristain s/n, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.,Hospital Universitario Donostia-Osakidetza-Departamento de Neurociencias-Universidad del Pais Vasco-CIBERNED
| | - Miguel A Varela
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, OX3 9DU, Oxford, UK.,MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Matthew J Wood
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, OX3 9DU, Oxford, UK.,MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Manuel Pérez-Alonso
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjasot, Valencia, Spain.,Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, Avenida Menéndez Pelayo 4 acc, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Beatriz Llamusí
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjasot, Valencia, Spain.,Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, Avenida Menéndez Pelayo 4 acc, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rubén Artero
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjasot, Valencia, Spain.,Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, Avenida Menéndez Pelayo 4 acc, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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40
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De Serres-Bérard T, Pierre M, Chahine M, Puymirat J. Deciphering the mechanisms underlying brain alterations and cognitive impairment in congenital myotonic dystrophy. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 160:105532. [PMID: 34655747 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic and heterogeneous disorder caused by the expansion of CTG repeats in the 3' UTR of the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) gene. There is a congenital form (CDM1) of the disease characterized by severe hypotonia, respiratory insufficiency as well as developmental delays and intellectual disabilities. CDM1 infants manifest important brain structure abnormalities present from birth while, in contrast, older patients with adult-onset DM1 often present neurodegenerative features and milder progressive cognitive deficits. Promising therapies targeting central molecular mechanisms contributing to the symptoms of adult-onset DM1 are currently in development, but their relevance for treating cognitive impairment in CDM1, which seems to be a partially distinct neurodevelopmental disorder, remain to be elucidated. Here, we provide an update on the clinical presentation of CDM1 and review recent in vitro and in vivo models that have provided meaningful insights on its consequences in development, with a particular focus on the brain. We discuss how enhanced toxic gain-of-function of the mutated DMPK transcripts with larger CUG repeats and the resulting dysregulation of RNA-binding proteins may affect the developing cortex in utero. Because the methylation of CpG islets flanking the trinucleotide repeats has emerged as a strong biomarker of CDM1, we highlight the need to investigate the tissue-specific impacts of these chromatin modifications in the brain. Finally, we outline promising potential therapeutic treatments for CDM1 and propose future in vitro and in vivo models with great potential to shed light on this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiéry De Serres-Bérard
- LOEX, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, Canada; CERVO Brain Research Center, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Marion Pierre
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Mohamed Chahine
- CERVO Brain Research Center, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Québec, Quebec City, Canada; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada.
| | - Jack Puymirat
- LOEX, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Quebec City, Canada; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Canada
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41
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Shi DL, Grifone R. RNA-Binding Proteins in the Post-transcriptional Control of Skeletal Muscle Development, Regeneration and Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:738978. [PMID: 34616743 PMCID: PMC8488162 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.738978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic myogenesis is a temporally and spatially regulated process that generates skeletal muscle of the trunk and limbs. During this process, mononucleated myoblasts derived from myogenic progenitor cells within the somites undergo proliferation, migration and differentiation to elongate and fuse into multinucleated functional myofibers. Skeletal muscle is the most abundant tissue of the body and has the remarkable ability to self-repair by re-activating the myogenic program in muscle stem cells, known as satellite cells. Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression mediated by RNA-binding proteins is critically required for muscle development during embryogenesis and for muscle homeostasis in the adult. Differential subcellular localization and activity of RNA-binding proteins orchestrates target gene expression at multiple levels to regulate different steps of myogenesis. Dysfunctions of these post-transcriptional regulators impair muscle development and homeostasis, but also cause defects in motor neurons or the neuromuscular junction, resulting in muscle degeneration and neuromuscular disease. Many RNA-binding proteins, such as members of the muscle blind-like (MBNL) and CUG-BP and ETR-3-like factors (CELF) families, display both overlapping and distinct targets in muscle cells. Thus they function either cooperatively or antagonistically to coordinate myoblast proliferation and differentiation. Evidence is accumulating that the dynamic interplay of their regulatory activity may control the progression of myogenic program as well as stem cell quiescence and activation. Moreover, the role of RNA-binding proteins that regulate post-transcriptional modification in the myogenic program is far less understood as compared with transcription factors involved in myogenic specification and differentiation. Here we review past achievements and recent advances in understanding the functions of RNA-binding proteins during skeletal muscle development, regeneration and disease, with the aim to identify the fundamental questions that are still open for further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Li Shi
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,Developmental Biology Laboratory, CNRS-UMR 7622, Institut de Biologie de Paris-Seine, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Raphaëlle Grifone
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, CNRS-UMR 7622, Institut de Biologie de Paris-Seine, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
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42
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Neault N, O’Reilly S, Baig AT, Plaza-Diaz J, Azimi M, Farooq F, Baird SD, MacKenzie A. High-throughput kinome-RNAi screen identifies protein kinase R activator (PACT) as a novel genetic modifier of CUG foci integrity in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256276. [PMID: 34520479 PMCID: PMC8439471 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1) is the most common form of adult muscular dystrophy (~1:8000). In DM1, expansion of CTG trinucleotide repeats in the 3' untranslated region of the dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) gene results in DMPK mRNA hairpin structures which aggregate as insoluble ribonuclear foci and sequester several RNA-binding proteins. The resulting sequestration and misregulation of important splicing factors, such as muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1), causes the aberrant expression of fetal transcripts for several genes that contribute to the disease phenotype. Previous work has shown that antisense oligonucleotide-mediated disaggregation of the intranuclear foci has the potential to reverse downstream anomalies. To explore whether the nuclear foci are, to some extent, controlled by cell signalling pathways, we have performed a screen using a small interfering RNA (siRNA) library targeting 518 protein kinases to look at kinomic modulation of foci integrity. RNA foci were visualized by in situ hybridization of a fluorescent-tagged (CAG)10 probe directed towards the expanded DMPK mRNA and the cross-sectional area and number of foci per nuclei were recorded. From our screen, we have identified PACT (protein kinase R (PKR) activator) as a novel modulator of foci integrity and have shown that PACT knockdown can both increase MBNL1 protein levels; however, these changes are not suffcient for significant correction of downstream spliceopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafisa Neault
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sean O’Reilly
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Aiman Tariq Baig
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Julio Plaza-Diaz
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mehrdad Azimi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Faraz Farooq
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen D. Baird
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Alex MacKenzie
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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43
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Shen X, Liu Z, Wang C, Xu F, Zhang J, Li M, Lei Y, Wang A, Bi C, Zhu G. Inhibition of Postn Rescues Myogenesis Defects in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Myoblast Model. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:710112. [PMID: 34490258 PMCID: PMC8417118 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.710112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an inherited neuromuscular disease caused by expanded CTG repeats in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of the DMPK gene. The myogenesis process is defective in DM1, which is closely associated with progressive muscle weakness and wasting. Despite many proposed explanations for the myogenesis defects in DM1, the underlying mechanism and the involvement of the extracellular microenvironment remained unknown. Here, we constructed a DM1 myoblast cell model and reproduced the myogenesis defects. By RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), we discovered that periostin (Postn) was the most significantly upregulated gene in DM1 myogenesis compared with normal controls. This difference in Postn was confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. Moreover, Postn was found to be significantly upregulated in skeletal muscle and myoblasts of DM1 patients. Next, we knocked down Postn using a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in DM1 myoblast cells and found that the myogenesis defects in the DM1 group were successfully rescued, as evidenced by increases in the myotube area, the fusion index, and the expression of myogenesis regulatory genes. Similarly, Postn knockdown in normal myoblast cells enhanced myogenesis. As POSTN is a secreted protein, we treated the DM1 myoblast cells with a POSTN-neutralizing antibody and found that DM1 myogenesis defects were successfully rescued by POSTN neutralization. We also tested the myogenic ability of myoblasts in the skeletal muscle injury mouse model and found that Postn knockdown improved the myogenic ability of DM1 myoblasts. The activity of the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway was upregulated during DM1 myogenesis but repressed when inhibiting Postn with a Postn shRNA or a POSTN-neutralizing antibody, which suggested that the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway might mediate the function of Postn in DM1 myogenesis. These results suggest that Postn is a potential therapeutical target for the treatment of myogenesis defects in DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Shen
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedicine in Gene Diseases and Health of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Zhongxian Liu
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedicine in Gene Diseases and Health of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Chunguang Wang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedicine in Gene Diseases and Health of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Feng Xu
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedicine in Gene Diseases and Health of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Jingyi Zhang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedicine in Gene Diseases and Health of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Meng Li
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedicine in Gene Diseases and Health of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Yang Lei
- Wuhu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhu, China
| | - Ao Wang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedicine in Gene Diseases and Health of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Chao Bi
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedicine in Gene Diseases and Health of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
| | - Guoping Zhu
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Enzymology and Mechanism of Major Diseases, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China.,Key Laboratory of Biomedicine in Gene Diseases and Health of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, China
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44
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Todorow V, Hintze S, Kerr ARW, Hehr A, Schoser B, Meinke P. Transcriptome Analysis in a Primary Human Muscle Cell Differentiation Model for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:8607. [PMID: 34445314 PMCID: PMC8395314 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by CTG-repeat expansions leading to a complex pathology with a multisystemic phenotype that primarily affects the muscles and brain. Despite a multitude of information, especially on the alternative splicing of several genes involved in the pathology, information about additional factors contributing to the disease development is still lacking. We performed RNAseq and gene expression analyses on proliferating primary human myoblasts and differentiated myotubes. GO-term analysis indicates that in myoblasts and myotubes, different molecular pathologies are involved in the development of the muscular phenotype. Gene set enrichment for splicing reveals the likelihood of whole, differentiation stage specific, splicing complexes that are misregulated in DM1. These data add complexity to the alternative splicing phenotype and we predict that it will be of high importance for therapeutic interventions to target not only mature muscle, but also satellite cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Todorow
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, LMU Klinikum, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Hintze
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, LMU Klinikum, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Alastair R W Kerr
- Cancer Biomarker Centre, CRUK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Andreas Hehr
- Centre for Human Genetics, 93047 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Benedikt Schoser
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, LMU Klinikum, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Meinke
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, LMU Klinikum, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
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45
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Tylock KM, Auerbach DS, Tang ZZ, Thornton CA, Dirksen RT. Biophysical mechanisms for QRS- and QTc-interval prolongation in mice with cardiac expression of expanded CUG-repeat RNA. J Gen Physiol 2021; 152:133632. [PMID: 31968060 PMCID: PMC7062505 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.201912450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults, results from the expression of toxic gain-of-function transcripts containing expanded CUG-repeats. DM1 patients experience cardiac electrophysiological defects, including prolonged PR-, QRS-, and QT-intervals, that increase susceptibility to sudden cardiac death (SCD). However, the specific biophysical and molecular mechanisms that underlie the electrocardiograph (ECG) abnormalities and SCD in DM1 are unclear. Here, we addressed this issue using a novel transgenic mouse model that exhibits robust cardiac expression of expanded CUG-repeat RNA (LC15 mice). ECG measurements in conscious LC15 mice revealed significantly prolonged QRS- and corrected QT-intervals, but a normal PR-interval. Although spontaneous arrhythmias were not observed in conscious LC15 mice under nonchallenged conditions, acute administration of the sodium channel blocker flecainide prolonged the QRS-interval and unveiled an increased susceptibility to lethal ventricular arrhythmias. Current clamp measurements in ventricular myocytes from LC15 mice revealed significantly reduced action potential upstroke velocity at physiological pacing (9 Hz) and prolonged action potential duration at all stimulation rates (1–9 Hz). Voltage clamp experiments revealed significant rightward shifts in the voltage dependence of sodium channel activation and steady-state inactivation, as well as a marked reduction in outward potassium current density. Together, these findings indicate that expression of expanded CUG-repeat RNA in the murine heart results in reduced sodium and potassium channel activity that results in QRS- and QT-interval prolongation, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Tylock
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - David S Auerbach
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY.,Department of Pharmacology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY
| | - Zhen Zhi Tang
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Charles A Thornton
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Robert T Dirksen
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
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46
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Solovyeva EM, Ibebunjo C, Utzinger S, Eash JK, Dunbar A, Naumann U, Zhang Y, Serluca FC, Demirci S, Oberhauser B, Black F, Rausch M, Hoersch S, Meyer AS. New insights into molecular changes in skeletal muscle aging and disease: Differential alternative splicing and senescence. Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 197:111510. [PMID: 34019916 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Progressive loss of muscle mass and function due to muscle fiber atrophy and loss in the elderly and chronically ill is now defined as sarcopenia. It is a major contributor to loss of independence, disability, need of long-term care as well as overall mortality. Sarcopenia is a heterogenous disease and underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Here, we newly identified and used Tmem158, alongside Cdkn1a, as relevant senescence and denervation markers (SDMs), associated with muscle fiber atrophy. Subsequent application of laser capture microdissection (LCM) and RNA analyses revealed age- and disease-associated differences in gene expression and alternative splicing patterns in a rodent sarcopenia model. Of note, genes exhibiting such differential alternative splicing (DAS) are mainly involved in the contractile function of the muscle. Many of these splicing events are also found in a mouse model for myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), underscoring the premature aging phenotype of this disease. We propose to add differential alternative splicing to the hallmarks of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizaveta M Solovyeva
- NIBR Informatics, 4056, Basel, Switzerland; V.L. Talrose Institute for Energy Problems of Chemical Physics, N.N. Semenov Federal Research Center for Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334, Russia; Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (State University), Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia
| | | | - Stephan Utzinger
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Musculoskeletal Diseases, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - John K Eash
- NIBR, Musculoskeletal Diseases, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Andrew Dunbar
- NIBR, Analytical Sciences and Imaging, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Naumann
- NIBR, Chemical Biology & Therapeutics, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yunyu Zhang
- NIBR, Musculoskeletal Diseases, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | | | - Sabrina Demirci
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Musculoskeletal Diseases, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Frederique Black
- NIBR, Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases, Cambridge, MA02139, USA
| | - Martin Rausch
- NIBR, Analytical Sciences and Imaging, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Angelika S Meyer
- Novartis Institute for Biomedical Research (NIBR), Musculoskeletal Diseases, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
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47
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Maimaiti R, Zhu C, Zhang Y, Ding Q, Guo W. RBM20-Mediated Pre-mRNA Splicing Has Muscle-Specificity and Differential Hormonal Responses between Muscles and in Muscle Cell Cultures. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:2928. [PMID: 33805770 PMCID: PMC7999644 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22062928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing plays an important role in muscle function and diseases. The RNA binding motif 20 (RBM20) is a splicing factor that is predominantly expressed in muscle tissues and primarily regulates pre-mRNA splicing of Ttn, encoding a giant muscle protein titin that is responsible for muscle function and diseases. RBM20-mediated Ttn splicing has been mostly studied in heart muscle, but not in skeletal muscle. In this study, we investigated splicing specificity in different muscle types in Rbm20 knockout rats and hormonal effects on RBM20-mediated splicing both in cellulo and in vivo studies. The results revealed that RBM20 is differentially expressed across muscles and RBM20-mediated splicing is muscle-type specific. In the presence of RBM20, Ttn splicing responds to hormones in a muscle-type dependent manner, while in the absence of RBM20, Ttn splicing is not affected by hormones. In differentiated and undifferentiated C2C12 cells, RBM20-mediated splicing in response to hormonal effects is mainly through genomic signaling pathway. The knowledge gained from this study may help further understand muscle-specific gene splicing in response to hormone stimuli in different muscle types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rexiati Maimaiti
- Animal Science Department, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA; (R.M.); (C.Z.)
| | - Chaoqun Zhu
- Animal Science Department, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA; (R.M.); (C.Z.)
| | - Yanghai Zhang
- Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (Y.Z.); (Q.D.)
| | - Qiyue Ding
- Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (Y.Z.); (Q.D.)
| | - Wei Guo
- Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (Y.Z.); (Q.D.)
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48
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Grande V, Hathazi D, O'Connor E, Marteau T, Schara-Schmidt U, Hentschel A, Gourdon G, Nikolenko N, Lochmüller H, Roos A. Dysregulation of GSK3β-Target Proteins in Skin Fibroblasts of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1) Patients. J Neuromuscul Dis 2021; 8:603-619. [PMID: 33682722 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-200558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most common monogenetic muscular disorder of adulthood. This multisystemic disease is caused by CTG repeat expansion in the 3'-untranslated region of the DM1 protein kinase gene called DMPK. DMPK encodes a myosin kinase expressed in skeletal muscle cells and other cellular populations such as smooth muscle cells, neurons and fibroblasts. The resultant expanded (CUG)n RNA transcripts sequester RNA binding factors leading to ubiquitous and persistent splicing deregulation. The accumulation of mutant CUG repeats is linked to increased activity of glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β), a highly conserved and ubiquitous serine/threonine kinase with functions in pathways regulating inflammation, metabolism, oncogenesis, neurogenesis and myogenesis. As GSK3β-inhibition ameliorates defects in myogenesis, muscle strength and myotonia in a DM1 mouse model, this kinase represents a key player of DM1 pathobiochemistry and constitutes a promising therapeutic target. To better characterise DM1 patients, and monitor treatment responses, we aimed to define a set of robust disease and severity markers linked to GSK3βby unbiased proteomic profiling utilizing fibroblasts derived from DM1 patients with low (80- 150) and high (2600- 3600) CTG-repeats. Apart from GSK3β increase, we identified dysregulation of nine proteins (CAPN1, CTNNB1, CTPS1, DNMT1, HDAC2, HNRNPH3, MAP2K2, NR3C1, VDAC2) modulated by GSK3β. In silico-based expression studies confirmed expression in neuronal and skeletal muscle cells and revealed a relatively elevated abundance in fibroblasts. The potential impact of each marker in the myopathology of DM1 is discussed based on respective function to inform potential uses as severity markers or for monitoring GSK3β inhibitor treatment responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Grande
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Essen, Duisburg-Essen University, Germany
| | - Denisa Hathazi
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften -ISAS- e.V., Dortmund, Germany.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Emily O'Connor
- Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Theo Marteau
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Essen, Duisburg-Essen University, Germany
| | - Ulrike Schara-Schmidt
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Essen, Duisburg-Essen University, Germany
| | - Andreas Hentschel
- Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften -ISAS- e.V., Dortmund, Germany
| | - Genevieve Gourdon
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Association Institut de Myologie, Sorbonne Université, Inserm UMR 974, Paris, France
| | - Nikoletta Nikolenko
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Centro Nacional de AnálisisGenómico, Center for Genomic Regulation (CNAG-CRG), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Andreas Roos
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Essen, Duisburg-Essen University, Germany.,Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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49
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Tanner MK, Tang Z, Thornton CA. Targeted splice sequencing reveals RNA toxicity and therapeutic response in myotonic dystrophy. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:2240-2254. [PMID: 33503262 PMCID: PMC7913682 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarker-driven trials hold promise for therapeutic development in chronic diseases, such as muscular dystrophy. Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) involves RNA toxicity, where transcripts containing expanded CUG-repeats (CUGexp) accumulate in nuclear foci and sequester splicing factors in the Muscleblind-like (Mbnl) family. Oligonucleotide therapies to mitigate RNA toxicity have emerged but reliable measures of target engagement are needed. Here we examined muscle transcriptomes in mouse models of DM1 and found that CUGexp expression or Mbnl gene deletion cause similar dysregulation of alternative splicing. We selected 35 dysregulated exons for further study by targeted RNA sequencing. Across a spectrum of mouse models, the individual splice events and a composite index derived from all events showed a graded response to decrements of Mbnl or increments of CUGexp. Antisense oligonucleotides caused prompt reduction of CUGexp RNA and parallel correction of the splicing index, followed by subsequent elimination of myotonia. These results suggest that targeted splice sequencing may provide a sensitive and reliable way to assess therapeutic impact in DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew K Tanner
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Zhenzhi Tang
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Charles A Thornton
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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50
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Park C, Sakurai Y, Sato H, Kanda S, Iino Y, Kunitomo H. Roles of the ClC chloride channel CLH-1 in food-associated salt chemotaxis behavior of C. elegans. eLife 2021; 10:e55701. [PMID: 33492228 PMCID: PMC7834019 DOI: 10.7554/elife.55701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability of animals to process dynamic sensory information facilitates foraging in an ever-changing environment. However, molecular and neural mechanisms underlying such ability remain elusive. The ClC anion channels/transporters play a pivotal role in cellular ion homeostasis across all phyla. Here, we find a ClC chloride channel is involved in salt concentration chemotaxis of Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetic screening identified two altered-function mutations of clh-1 that disrupt experience-dependent salt chemotaxis. Using genetically encoded fluorescent sensors, we demonstrate that CLH-1 contributes to regulation of intracellular anion and calcium dynamics of salt-sensing neuron, ASER. The mutant CLH-1 reduced responsiveness of ASER to salt stimuli in terms of both temporal resolution and intensity, which disrupted navigation strategies for approaching preferred salt concentrations. Furthermore, other ClC genes appeared to act redundantly in salt chemotaxis. These findings provide insights into the regulatory mechanism of neuronal responsivity by ClCs that contribute to modulation of navigation behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanhyun Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, The University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Yuki Sakurai
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, The University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Hirofumi Sato
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, The University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Shinji Kanda
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, The University of TokyoTokyoJapan
- Laboratory of Physiology, Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of TokyoChibaJapan
| | - Yuichi Iino
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, The University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Hirofumi Kunitomo
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, The University of TokyoTokyoJapan
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