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Narayanaswami P, Živković S. Molecular and Genetic Therapies. Neuromuscul Disord 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-71317-7.00011-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Advances of Antisense Oligonucleotide Technology in the Treatment of Hereditary Neurodegenerative Diseases. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:6678422. [PMID: 34211575 PMCID: PMC8211492 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6678422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Antisense nucleic acids are single-stranded oligonucleotides that have been specially chemically modified, which can bind to RNA expressed by target genes through base complementary pairing and affect protein synthesis at the level of posttranscriptional processing or protein translation. In recent years, the application of antisense nucleic acid technology in the treatment of neuromuscular diseases has made remarkable progress. In 2016, the US FDA approved two antisense nucleic acid drugs for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and the development to treat other neurodegenerative diseases has also entered the clinical stage. Therefore, ASO represents a treatment with great potential. The article will summarize ASO therapies in terms of mechanism of action, chemical modification, and administration methods and analyze their role in several common neurodegenerative diseases, such as SMA, DMD, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This article systematically summarizes the great potential of antisense nucleic acid technology in the treatment of hereditary neurodegenerative diseases.
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Herman JP, Nawreen N, Smail MA, Cotella EM. Brain mechanisms of HPA axis regulation: neurocircuitry and feedback in context Richard Kvetnansky lecture. Stress 2020; 23:617-632. [PMID: 33345670 PMCID: PMC8034599 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2020.1859475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of stress reactivity is a fundamental priority of all organisms. Stress responses are critical for survival, yet can also cause physical and psychological damage. This review provides a synopsis of brain mechanisms designed to control physiological responses to stress, focusing primarily on glucocorticoid secretion via the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. The literature provides strong support for multi-faceted control of HPA axis responses, involving both direct and indirect actions at paraventricular nucleus (PVN) corticotropin releasing hormone neurons driving the secretory cascade. The PVN is directly excited by afferents from brainstem and hypothalamic circuits, likely relaying information on homeostatic challenge. Amygdala subnuclei drive HPA axis responses indirectly via disinhibition, mediated by GABAergic relays onto PVN-projecting neurons in the hypothalamus and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST). Inhibition of stressor-evoked HPA axis responses is mediated by an elaborate network of glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-containing circuits, providing a distributed negative feedback signal that inhibits PVN neurons. Prefrontal and hippocampal neurons play a major role in HPA axis inhibition, again mediated by hypothalamic and BST GABAergic relays to the PVN. The complexity of the regulatory process suggests that information on stressors is integrated across functional disparate brain circuits prior to accessing the PVN, with regions such as the BST in prime position to relay contextual information provided by these sources into appropriate HPA activation. Dysregulation of the HPA in disease is likely a product of inappropriate checks and balances between excitatory and inhibitory inputs ultimately impacting PVN output.
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Affiliation(s)
- James P Herman
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Nawshaba Nawreen
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Marissa A Smail
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Evelin M Cotella
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Cincinnati Veterans Administration Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Sun Z, Xu Y. Nuclear Receptor Coactivators (NCOAs) and Corepressors (NCORs) in the Brain. Endocrinology 2020; 161:5843759. [PMID: 32449767 PMCID: PMC7351129 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptor coactivators (NCOAs) and corepressors (NCORs) bind to nuclear hormone receptors in a ligand-dependent manner and mediate the transcriptional activation or repression of the downstream target genes in response to hormones, metabolites, xenobiotics, and drugs. NCOAs and NCORs are widely expressed in the mammalian brain. Studies using genetic animal models started to reveal pivotal roles of NCOAs/NCORs in the brain in regulating hormonal signaling, sexual behaviors, consummatory behaviors, exploratory and locomotor behaviors, moods, learning, and memory. Genetic variants of NCOAs or NCORs have begun to emerge from human patients with obesity, hormonal disruption, intellectual disability, or autism spectrum disorders. Here we review recent studies that shed light on the function of NCOAs and NCORs in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Sun
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Correspondence: Zheng Sun, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail: ; or Yong Xu, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail:
| | - Yong Xu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics; Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Correspondence: Zheng Sun, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail: ; or Yong Xu, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail:
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Goyal N, Narayanaswami P. Making sense of antisense oligonucleotides: A narrative review. Muscle Nerve 2017; 57:356-370. [PMID: 29105153 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Revised: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic nucleic acid sequences that bind to ribonucleic acid (RNA) through Watson-Crick base pairing are known as antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) because they are complementary to "sense strand" nucleic acids. ASOs bind to selected sequences of RNA and regulate the expression of genes by several mechanisms depending on their chemical properties and targets. They can be used to restore deficient protein expression, reduce the expression of a toxic protein, modify functional effects of proteins, or reduce toxicity of mutant proteins. Two ASOs were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2016: eteplirsen for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and nusinersen for spinal muscular atrophy. Clinical trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and familial amyloid polyneuropathy are ongoing. We review the chemistry, pharmacology, and mechanisms of action of ASOs, preclinical data, and clinical trials in neuromuscular diseases and discuss some ethical, regulatory, and policy considerations in the clinical development and use of ASOs. Muscle Nerve 57: 356-370, 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelam Goyal
- Neurology/Neuromuscular Disease, Stanford University Hospital, 213 Quarry Road MC 5979, Palo Alto, Ca 94303
| | - Pushpa Narayanaswami
- Neurology/Neuromuscular Disease, Neurology TCC-8, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215
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Zalachoras I, Verhoeve SL, Toonen LJ, van Weert LTCM, van Vlodrop AM, Mol IM, Meelis W, de Kloet ER, Meijer OC. Isoform switching of steroid receptor co-activator-1 attenuates glucocorticoid-induced anxiogenic amygdala CRH expression. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:1733-1739. [PMID: 26976039 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Maladaptive glucocorticoid effects contribute to stress-related psychopathology. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) that mediates many of these effects uses multiple signaling pathways. We have tested the hypothesis that manipulation of downstream factors ('coregulators') can abrogate potentially maladaptive GR-mediated effects on fear-motivated behavior that are linked to corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). For this purpose the expression ratio of two splice variants of steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1) was altered via antisense-mediated 'exon-skipping' in the central amygdala of the mouse brain. We observed that a change in splicing towards the repressive isoform SRC-1a strongly reduced glucocorticoid-induced responsiveness of Crh mRNA expression and increased methylation of the Crh promoter. The transcriptional GR target gene Fkbp5 remained responsive to glucocorticoids, indicating gene specificity of the effect. The shift of the SRC-1 splice variants altered glucocorticoid-dependent exploratory behavior and attenuated consolidation of contextual fear memory. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that manipulation of GR signaling pathways related to the Crh gene can selectively diminish potentially maladaptive effects of glucocorticoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Zalachoras
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - S L Verhoeve
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - L J Toonen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - L T C M van Weert
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A M van Vlodrop
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - I M Mol
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - W Meelis
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - E R de Kloet
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - O C Meijer
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Maegawa Y, Mochizuki S, Miyamoto N, Sakurai K. Gene silencing using a conjugate comprising Tat peptide and antisense oligonucleotide with phosphorothioate backbones. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:1276-8. [PMID: 26774656 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Revised: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) have a great therapeutic potential for the modulation of gene expression because of the high specificity. The major obstacles for clinical application are enzymatic degradation and low uptake into cells in vivo. In this study, we prepared the conjugate comprising Tat peptide and ASO with phosphorothioate linkages in a simple manner; azide alkyne Huisgen cycloaddition using a copper catalyst. The obtained conjugate showed a high stability in serum, compared with the conjugate with phosphodiester linkages. The conjugates with antisense for c-myb that is transcriptional factor concerning cell growth inhibited the cell proliferation in a dose dependent manner sequence-specifically. These findings suggest Tat-mediated ASOs delivery is useful for the treatment of various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiya Maegawa
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Kitakyushu, 1-1, Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 808-0135, Japan
| | - Shinichi Mochizuki
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Kitakyushu, 1-1, Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 808-0135, Japan.
| | - Noriko Miyamoto
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Kitakyushu, 1-1, Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 808-0135, Japan
| | - Kazuo Sakurai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Kitakyushu, 1-1, Hibikino, Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka 808-0135, Japan; CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8, Honcho, Kawaguchi-shi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.
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Evers MM, Toonen LJ, van Roon-Mom WM. Antisense oligonucleotides in therapy for neurodegenerative disorders. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2015; 87:90-103. [PMID: 25797014 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2015.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Revised: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides are synthetic single stranded strings of nucleic acids that bind to RNA and thereby alter or reduce expression of the target RNA. They can not only reduce expression of mutant proteins by breakdown of the targeted transcript, but also restore protein expression or modify proteins through interference with pre-mRNA splicing. There has been a recent revival of interest in the use of antisense oligonucleotides to treat several neurodegenerative disorders using different approaches to prevent disease onset or halt disease progression and the first clinical trials for spinal muscular atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis showing promising results. For these trials, intrathecal delivery is being used but direct infusion into the brain ventricles and several methods of passing the blood brain barrier after peripheral administration are also under investigation.
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Tetel MJ, Acharya KD. Nuclear receptor coactivators: regulators of steroid action in brain and behaviour. J Neuroendocrinol 2013; 25:1209-18. [PMID: 23795583 PMCID: PMC3830605 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2013] [Revised: 06/03/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Steroid hormones act in specific regions of the brain to alter behaviour and physiology. Although it has been well established that the bioavailability of the steroid and the expression of its receptor is critical for understanding steroid action in the brain, the importance of nuclear receptor coactivators in the brain is becoming more apparent. The present review focuses on the function of the p160 family of coactivators, which includes steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1), SRC-2 and SRC-3, in steroid receptor action in the brain. The expression, regulation and function of these coactivators in steroid-dependent gene expression in both brain and behaviour are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Tetel
- Neuroscience Program, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA, USA
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Niessen NA, Balthazart J, Ball GF, Charlier TD. C-fos down-regulation inhibits testosterone-dependent male sexual behavior and the associated learning. Eur J Neurosci 2013; 38:3325-37. [PMID: 23895306 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2013] [Accepted: 06/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Environmental stimulation results in an increased expression of transcription factors called immediate early genes (IEGs) in specific neuronal populations. In male Japanese quail, copulation with a female increases the expression of the IEGs zenk and c-fos in the medial pre-optic nucleus (POM), a key nucleus controlling male sexual behavior. The functional significance of this increased IEG expression that follows performance of copulatory behavior is unknown. We addressed this question by repeatedly quantifying the performance of appetitive (learned social proximity response) and consummatory (actual copulation) sexual behavior in castrated, testosterone-treated males that received daily intra-cerebroventricular injection of an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide targeting c-fos or control vehicle. Daily antisense injections significantly inhibited the expression of copulatory behavior as well as the acquisition of the learned social proximity response. A strong reduction of the proximity response was still observed in antisense-treated birds that copulated with a female, ruling out the indirect effect of the absence of interactions with females on the learning process. After a 2-day interruption of behavioral testing but not of antisense injections, birds were submitted to a final copulatory test that confirmed the behavioral inhibition in antisense-injected birds. Brains were collected at 90 min after the behavioral testing for quantification of c-fos-immunoreactive cells. A significant reduction of the number of c-fos-positive cells in the POM but not in other brain regions was observed following antisense injection. Taken together, the data suggest that c-fos expression in the POM modulates copulatory behavior and sexual learning in male quail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neville-Andrew Niessen
- Research Group in Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, GIGA Neurosciences, University of Liège, Avenue de l'Hôpital 1 (Bat. B36), B-4000, Liège 1, Belgium
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