1
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Chen S, Sbuh N, Veedu RN. Antisense Oligonucleotides as Potential Therapeutics for Type 2 Diabetes. Nucleic Acid Ther 2020; 31:39-57. [PMID: 33026966 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2020.0891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia resulting from inefficient signaling and insufficient production of insulin. Conventional management of T2D has largely relied on small molecule-based oral hypoglycemic medicines, which do not halt the progression of the disease due to limited efficacy and induce adverse effects as well. To this end, antisense oligonucleotide has attracted immense attention in developing antidiabetic agents because of their ability to downregulate the expression of disease-causing genes at the RNA and protein level. To date, seven antisense agents have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for therapies of a variety of human maladies, including genetic disorders. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review of antisense molecules developed for suppressing the causative genes believed to be responsible for insulin resistance and hyperglycemia toward preventing and treating T2D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suxiang Chen
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, Australia
| | - Nabayet Sbuh
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, Australia
| | - Rakesh N Veedu
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, Australia
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2
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Buijsen RAM, Toonen LJA, Gardiner SL, van Roon-Mom WMC. Genetics, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Progress in Polyglutamine Spinocerebellar Ataxias. Neurotherapeutics 2019; 16:263-286. [PMID: 30607747 PMCID: PMC6554265 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-018-00696-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias (ADCAs) are a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by degeneration of the cerebellum and its connections. All ADCAs have progressive ataxia as their main clinical feature, frequently accompanied by dysarthria and oculomotor deficits. The most common spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are 6 polyglutamine (polyQ) SCAs. These diseases are all caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the coding region of a gene. Currently, no curative treatment is available for any of the polyQ SCAs, but increasing knowledge on the genetics and the pathological mechanisms of these polyQ SCAs has provided promising therapeutic targets to potentially slow disease progression. Potential treatments can be divided into pharmacological and gene therapies that target the toxic downstream effects, gene therapies that target the polyQ SCA genes, and stem cell replacement therapies. Here, we will provide a review on the genetics, mechanisms, and therapeutic progress in polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald A M Buijsen
- Department of Human Genetics, LUMC, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Lodewijk J A Toonen
- Department of Human Genetics, LUMC, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah L Gardiner
- Department of Human Genetics, LUMC, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, LUMC, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands
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3
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Studzińska S, Cywoniuk P, Sobczak K. Application of ion pair chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry to assess antisense oligonucleotides concentrations in living cells. Analyst 2018; 144:622-633. [PMID: 30462105 DOI: 10.1039/c8an01603h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are synthetic bioactive compounds used as therapeutic agents in clinical trials. They act by binding to complementary sequences of the targeted nucleic acids in cells. Assessing the efficiency of ASO delivery to cells or tissues and the stability of these compounds in different biological systems is important. To answer these questions, we developed a new, quick and reliable method to determine the concentrations of different types of ASOs in treated cells. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used for the first time for the separation and determination of the studied compounds in total RNA extracts. To develop a method with the highest possible sensitivity, a central composite design was used to comprehensively optimize the MS parameters. Moreover, the effects of the type and concentration of the ion pair reagent on sensitivity were also examined. Finally, a mobile phase containing methanol, hexafluoroisopropanol and N,N-dimethylbutylamine was selected. The optimized method allowed good linearity, accuracy, precision and sensitivity of ASO detection. Next, these compounds were delivered into cells via transfection at a concentration of 25 nM or 125 nM in 1 mL of cell culture medium. After 48 hours, total RNA was isolated from the treated cells and analyzed with the use of the newly developed method. For the cells treated with a higher concentration of ASO composed of phosphorothioate 2'-O-methyl RNA units, the concentration in solution was 0.96 ± 0.06 μM, while in the case of shorter ASO composed of locked nucleic acid units, it was 0.72 ± 0.06 μM in the total RNA extract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Studzińska
- Chair of Environmental Chemistry & Bioanalytics, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 7 Gagarin St., PL-87 100 Torun, Poland.
| | - Piotr Cywoniuk
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 89 Umultowska St., PL 61 614 Poznan, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Sobczak
- Department of Gene Expression, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, 89 Umultowska St., PL 61 614 Poznan, Poland
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4
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Meijer OC, Buurstede JC, Schaaf MJM. Corticosteroid Receptors in the Brain: Transcriptional Mechanisms for Specificity and Context-Dependent Effects. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2018; 39:539-549. [PMID: 30291573 PMCID: PMC6469829 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-018-0625-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Corticosteroid hormones act in the brain to support adaptation to stress via binding to mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors (MR and GR). These receptors act in large measure as transcription factors. Corticosteroid effects can be highly divergent, depending on the receptor type, but also on brain region, cell type, and physiological context. These differences ultimately depend on differential interactions of MR and GR with other proteins, which determine ligand binding, nuclear translocation, and transcriptional activities. In this review, we discuss established and potential mechanisms that confer receptor and cell type-specific effects of the MR and GR-mediated transcriptional effects in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onno C Meijer
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands. .,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - J C Buurstede
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel J M Schaaf
- Department of Animal Sciences and Health (M.J.M.S.), Institute of Biology, Leiden University, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
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5
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Carroll LS, Massey TH, Wardle M, Peall KJ. Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian Atrophy: An Update. TREMOR AND OTHER HYPERKINETIC MOVEMENTS (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2018; 8:577. [PMID: 30410817 PMCID: PMC6222020 DOI: 10.7916/d81n9hst] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is a rare, autosomal dominantly inherited disorder characterized by myoclonus, epilepsy, ataxia, and dementia. Diagnosis is challenging due to the heterogeneous presentation and symptomatic overlap with other spinocerebellar ataxias. Symptoms vary according to age of onset, with a mean age at onset of 31 years. A CAG repeat expansion in the ATN1 gene results in neuronal intranuclear inclusions, variable neuronal loss, and astrocytosis in the globus pallidus, dentate and red nuclei. No disease-modifying or curative treatments are currently available Methods We performed an online literature search using PubMed for all articles published in an English Language format on the topics of DRPLA or ATN1 over the last 10 years. Where these articles cited other research as support for findings, or statements, these articles were also reviewed. Contemporary articles from related research fields (e.g., Huntington’s Disease) were also included to support statements. Results Forty-seven articles were identified, 10 were unobtainable and 10 provided no relevant information. The remaining 27 articles were then used for the review template: seven case reports, seven case series, six model system articles (one review article), four population clinical and genetic studies (one review article), two general review articles, and one human gene expression study. Other cited articles or research from related fields gave a further 42 articles, producing a total of 69 articles cited: 15 case series (including eight family studies), 14 model systems (one review article), 14 population clinical and genetic studies (two review articles), 10 case reports, eight clinical trials/guidelines, four genetic methodology articles, three general review articles, and one human gene expression study. Discussion DRPLA remains an intractable, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder without effective treatment. Early recognition of the disorder may improve patient understanding, and access to services and treatments. Large-scale studies are lacking, but are required to characterize the full allelic architecture of the disorder in all populations and the heterogeneous phenotypic spectrum, including neuroimaging findings, possible biomarkers, and responses to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam S Carroll
- Department of Neurology, Wessex Neurological Centre, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Thomas H Massey
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Mark Wardle
- University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Health Park, Cardiff, UK
| | - Kathryn J Peall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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6
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van der Bent ML, Paulino da Silva Filho O, van Luijk J, Brock R, Wansink DG. Assisted delivery of antisense therapeutics in animal models of heritable neurodegenerative and neuromuscular disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:4181. [PMID: 29520012 PMCID: PMC5843643 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22316-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotide (AON)-based therapies hold promise for a range of neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases and have shown benefit in animal models and patients. Success in the clinic is nevertheless still limited, due to unfavourable biodistribution and poor cellular uptake of AONs. Extensive research is currently being conducted into the formulation of AONs to improve delivery, but thus far there is no consensus on which of those strategies will be the most effective. This systematic review was designed to answer in an unbiased manner which delivery strategies most strongly enhance the efficacy of AONs in animal models of heritable neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. In total, 95 primary studies met the predefined inclusion criteria. Study characteristics and data on biodistribution and toxicity were extracted and reporting quality and risk of bias were assessed. Twenty studies were eligible for meta-analysis. We found that even though the use of delivery systems provides an advantage over naked AONs, it is not yet possible to select the most promising strategies. Importantly, standardisation of experimental procedures is warranted in order to reach conclusions about the most efficient delivery strategies. Our best practice guidelines for future experiments serve as a step in that direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Leontien van der Bent
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Omar Paulino da Silva Filho
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Judith van Luijk
- Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE), Department of Health Evidence, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Roland Brock
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Derick G Wansink
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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7
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Bonifert T, Gonzalez Menendez I, Battke F, Theurer Y, Synofzik M, Schöls L, Wissinger B. Antisense Oligonucleotide Mediated Splice Correction of a Deep Intronic Mutation in OPA1. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2016; 5:e390. [PMID: 27874857 PMCID: PMC5155325 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2016.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Inherited optic neuropathies (ION) present an important cause of blindness in the European working-age population. Recently we reported the discovery of four independent families with deep intronic mutations in the main inherited optic neuropathies gene OPA1. These deep intronic mutations cause mis-splicing of the OPA1 pre-messenger-RNA transcripts by creating cryptic acceptor splice sites. As a rescue strategy we sought to prevent mis-splicing of the mutant pre-messenger-RNA by applying 2'O-methyl-antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) with a full-length phosphorothioate backbone that target the cryptic acceptor splice sites and the predicted novel branch point created by the deep intronic mutations, respectively. Transfection of patient-derived primary fibroblasts with these AONs induced correct splicing of the mutant pre-messenger-RNA in a time and concentration dependent mode of action, as detected by pyrosequencing of informative heterozygous variants. The treatment showed strong rescue effects (~55%) using the cryptic acceptor splice sites targeting AON and moderate rescue (~16%) using the branch point targeting AON. The highest efficacy of Splice correction could be observed 4 days after treatment however, significant effects were still seen 14 days post-transfection. Western blot analysis revealed increased amounts of OPA1 protein with maximum amounts at ~3 days post-treatment. In summary, we provide the first mutation-specific in vitro rescue strategy for OPA1 deficiency using synthetic AONs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Bonifert
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,Graduate School of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Irene Gonzalez Menendez
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Yvonne Theurer
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthis Synofzik
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ludger Schöls
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wissinger
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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8
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Pérez B, Vilageliu L, Grinberg D, Desviat LR. Antisense mediated splicing modulation for inherited metabolic diseases: challenges for delivery. Nucleic Acid Ther 2014; 24:48-56. [PMID: 24506780 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2013.0453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past few years, research in targeted mutation therapies has experienced significant advances, especially in the field of rare diseases. In particular, the efficacy of antisense therapy for suppression of normal, pathogenic, or cryptic splice sites has been demonstrated in cellular and animal models and has already reached the clinical trials phase for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In different inherited metabolic diseases, splice switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) have been used with success in patients' cells to force pseudoexon skipping or to block cryptic splice sites, in both cases recovering normal transcript and protein and correcting the enzyme deficiency. However, future in vivo studies require individual approaches for delivery depending on the gene defect involved, given the different patterns of tissue and organ expression. Herein we review the state of the art of antisense therapy targeting RNA splicing in metabolic diseases, grouped according to their expression patterns-multisystemic, hepatic, or in central nervous system (CNS)-and summarize the recent progress achieved in the field of in vivo delivery of oligonucleotides to each organ or system. Successful body-wide distribution of SSOs and preferential distribution in the liver after systemic administration have been reported in murine models for different diseases, while for CNS limited data are available, although promising results with intratechal injections have been achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belen Pérez
- 1 Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, UAM-CSIC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , Madrid, Spain. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Madrid, Spain
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9
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Hu J, Liu J, Narayanannair KJ, Lackey JG, Kuchimanchi S, Rajeev KG, Manoharan M, Swayze EE, Lima WF, Prakash TP, Xiang Q, Martinez C, Corey DR. Allele-selective inhibition of mutant atrophin-1 expression by duplex and single-stranded RNAs. Biochemistry 2014; 53:4510-8. [PMID: 24981774 PMCID: PMC4108179 DOI: 10.1021/bi500610r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian
atrophy (DRPLA) is a progressive neurodegenerative
disorder that currently has no curative treatments. DRPLA is caused
by an expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat region within the protein-encoding
sequence of the atrophin-1 (ATN-1) gene. Inhibition
of mutant ATN-1 protein expression is one strategy for treating DRPLA,
and allele-selective gene silencing agents that block mutant expression
over wild-type expression would be lead compounds for therapeutic
development. Here we develop an assay for distinguishing mutant from
wild-type ATN-1 protein by gel electrophoresis. We use this assay
to evaluate duplex RNAs and single-stranded silencing RNAs (ss-siRNAs)
for allele-selective inhibition of ATN-1 protein expression. We observed
potent and allele-selective inhibition by RNA duplexes that contain
mismatched bases relative to the CAG target and have the potential
to form miRNA-like complexes. ss-siRNAs that contained mismatches
were as selective as mismatch-containing duplexes. We also report
allele-selective inhibition by duplex RNAs containing unlocked nucleic
acids or abasic substitutions, although selectivities are not as high.
Five compounds that showed >8-fold allele selectivity for mutant ATN-1 were also selective for inhibiting the expression
of two other trinucleotide repeat disease genes, ataxin-3 (ATXN-3) and huntingtin (HTT). These data
demonstrate that the expanded trinucleotide repeat within ATN-1 mRNA is a potential target for compounds designed
to achieve allele-selective inhibition of ATN-1 protein, and one agent
may allow the targeting of multiple disease genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Hu
- Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center , 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, Texas 75390-9041, United States
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10
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Evers MM, Toonen LJA, van Roon-Mom WMC. Ataxin-3 protein and RNA toxicity in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: current insights and emerging therapeutic strategies. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 49:1513-31. [PMID: 24293103 PMCID: PMC4012159 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-013-8596-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Ataxin-3 is a ubiquitously expressed deubiqutinating enzyme with important functions in the proteasomal protein degradation pathway and regulation of transcription. The C-terminus of the ataxin-3 protein contains a polyglutamine (PolyQ) region that, when mutationally expanded to over 52 glutamines, causes the neurodegenerative disease spinocerebellar ataxia 3 (SCA3). In spite of extensive research, the molecular mechanisms underlying the cellular toxicity resulting from mutant ataxin-3 remain elusive and no preventive treatment is currently available. It has become clear over the last decade that the hallmark intracellular ataxin-3 aggregates are likely not the main toxic entity in SCA3. Instead, the soluble PolyQ containing fragments arising from proteolytic cleavage of ataxin-3 by caspases and calpains are now regarded to be of greater influence in pathogenesis. In addition, recent evidence suggests potential involvement of a RNA toxicity component in SCA3 and other PolyQ expansion disorders, increasing the pathogenic complexity. Herein, we review the functioning of ataxin-3 and the involvement of known protein and RNA toxicity mechanisms of mutant ataxin-3 that have been discovered, as well as future opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin M. Evers
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Lodewijk J. A. Toonen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Willeke M. C. van Roon-Mom
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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11
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Evers MM, Tran HD, Zalachoras I, Meijer OC, den Dunnen JT, van Ommen GJB, Aartsma-Rus A, van Roon-Mom WMC. Preventing formation of toxic N-terminal huntingtin fragments through antisense oligonucleotide-mediated protein modification. Nucleic Acid Ther 2013; 24:4-12. [PMID: 24380395 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2013.0452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive autosomal dominant disorder, caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the HTT gene, which results in expansion of a polyglutamine stretch at the N-terminal end of the huntingtin protein. Several studies have implicated the importance of proteolytic cleavage of mutant huntingtin in HD pathogenesis and it is generally accepted that N-terminal huntingtin fragments are more toxic than full-length protein. Important cleavage sites are encoded by exon 12 of HTT. Here we report proof of concept using antisense oligonucleotides to induce skipping of exon 12 in huntingtin pre-mRNA, thereby preventing the formation of a 586 amino acid N-terminal huntingtin fragment implicated in HD toxicity. In vitro studies showed successful exon skipping and appearance of a shorter huntingtin protein. Cleavage assays showed reduced 586 amino acid N-terminal huntingtin fragments in the treated samples. In vivo studies revealed exon skipping after a single injection of antisense oligonucleotides in the mouse striatum. Recent advances to inhibit the formation of mutant huntingtin using oligonucleotides seem promising therapeutic strategies for HD. Nevertheless, huntingtin is an essential protein and total removal has been shown to result in progressive neurodegeneration in vivo. Our proof of concept shows a completely novel approach to reduce mutant huntingtin toxicity not by reducing its expressing levels, but by modifying the huntingtin protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin M Evers
- 1 Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center , The Netherlands
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12
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Rungta RL, Choi HB, Lin PJ, Ko RW, Ashby D, Nair J, Manoharan M, Cullis PR, Macvicar BA. Lipid Nanoparticle Delivery of siRNA to Silence Neuronal Gene Expression in the Brain. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2013; 2:e136. [PMID: 24301867 PMCID: PMC3889191 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2013.65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 09/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Manipulation of gene expression in the brain is fundamental for understanding the function of proteins involved in neuronal processes. In this article, we show a method for using small interfering RNA (siRNA) in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to efficiently silence neuronal gene expression in cell culture and in the brain in vivo through intracranial injection. We show that neurons accumulate these LNPs in an apolipoprotein E-dependent fashion, resulting in very efficient uptake in cell culture (100%) with little apparent toxicity. In vivo, intracortical or intracerebroventricular (ICV) siRNA-LNP injections resulted in knockdown of target genes either in discrete regions around the injection site or in more widespread areas following ICV injections with no apparent toxicity or immune reactions from the LNPs. Effective targeted knockdown was demonstrated by showing that intracortical delivery of siRNA against GRIN1 (encoding GluN1 subunit of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR)) selectively reduced synaptic NMDAR currents in vivo as compared with synaptic AMPA receptor currents. Therefore, LNP delivery of siRNA rapidly manipulates expression of proteins involved in neuronal processes in vivo, possibly enabling the development of gene therapies for neurological disorders.Molecular Therapy-Nucleic Acids (2013) 2, e136; doi:10.1038/mtna.2013.65; published online 3 December 2013.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi L Rungta
- Brain Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada
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13
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Evers MM, Tran HD, Zalachoras I, Pepers BA, Meijer OC, den Dunnen JT, van Ommen GJB, Aartsma-Rus A, van Roon-Mom WMC. Ataxin-3 protein modification as a treatment strategy for spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: removal of the CAG containing exon. Neurobiol Dis 2013; 58:49-56. [PMID: 23659897 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2013.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Revised: 04/17/2013] [Accepted: 04/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 is caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the ataxin-3 protein, resulting in gain of toxic function of the mutant protein. The expanded glutamine stretch in the protein is the result of a CAG triplet repeat expansion in the penultimate exon of the ATXN3 gene. Several gene silencing approaches to reduce mutant ataxin-3 toxicity in this disease aim to lower ataxin-3 protein levels, but since this protein is involved in deubiquitination and proteasomal protein degradation, its long-term silencing might not be desirable. Here, we propose a novel protein modification approach to reduce mutant ataxin-3 toxicity by removing the toxic polyglutamine repeat from the ataxin-3 protein through antisense oligonucleotide-mediated exon skipping while maintaining important wild type functions of the protein. In vitro studies showed that exon skipping did not negatively impact the ubiquitin binding capacity of ataxin-3. Our in vivo studies showed no toxic properties of the novel truncated ataxin-3 protein. These results suggest that exon skipping may be a novel therapeutic approach to reduce polyglutamine-induced toxicity in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin M Evers
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands.
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14
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Zalachoras I, Grootaers G, van Weert LTCM, Aubert Y, de Kreij SR, Datson NA, van Roon-Mom WMC, Aartsma-Rus A, Meijer OC. Antisense-mediated isoform switching of steroid receptor coactivator-1 in the central nucleus of the amygdala of the mouse brain. BMC Neurosci 2013; 14:5. [PMID: 23294837 PMCID: PMC3551673 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-14-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2012] [Accepted: 12/26/2012] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Antisense oligonucleotide (AON)-mediated exon skipping is a powerful tool to manipulate gene expression. In the present study we investigated the potential of exon skipping by local injection in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) of the mouse brain. As proof of principle we targeted the splicing of steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1), a protein involved in nuclear receptor function. This nuclear receptor coregulator exists in two splice variants (SRC-1a and SRC-1e) which display differential distribution and opposing activities in the brain, and whose mRNAs differ in a single SRC-1e specific exon. Methods For proof of principle of feasibility, we used immunofluorescent stainings to study uptake by different cell types, translocation to the nucleus and potential immunostimulatory effects at different time points after a local injection in the CeA of the mouse brain of a control AON targeting human dystrophin with no targets in the murine brain. To evaluate efficacy we designed an AON targeting the SRC-1e-specific exon and with qPCR analysis we measured the expression ratio of the two splice variants. Results We found that AONs were taken up by corticotropin releasing hormone expressing neurons and other cells in the CeA, and translocated into the cell nucleus. Immune responses after AON injection were comparable to those after sterile saline injection. A successful shift of the naturally occurring SRC-1a:SRC-1e expression ratio in favor of SRC-1a was observed, without changes in total SRC-1 expression. Conclusions We provide a proof of concept for local neuropharmacological use of exon skipping by manipulating the expression ratio of the two splice variants of SRC-1, which may be used to study nuclear receptor function in specific brain circuits. We established that exon skipping after local injection in the brain is a versatile and useful tool for the manipulation of splice variants for numerous genes that are relevant for brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Zalachoras
- Division of Medical Pharmacology, Leiden/Amsterdam Center for Drug Research, Leiden University/Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Vaillend C. Thérapies moléculaire et pharmacologique chez un modèle murin du retard mental associé aux dystrophinopathies. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s0035-3787(12)70032-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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