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Wu R, Song Y, Wu S, Chen Y. Promising therapeutic approaches of utrophin replacing dystrophin in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Fundamental Research 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
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Soblechero-Martín P, López-Martínez A, de la Puente-Ovejero L, Vallejo-Illarramendi A, Arechavala-Gomeza V. Utrophin modulator drugs as potential therapies for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2021; 47:711-723. [PMID: 33999469 PMCID: PMC8518368 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Utrophin is an autosomal paralogue of dystrophin, a protein whose deficit causes Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD/BMD). Utrophin is naturally overexpressed at the sarcolemma of mature dystrophin‐deficient fibres in DMD and BMD patients as well as in the mdx Duchenne mouse model. Dystrophin and utrophin can co‐localise in human foetal muscle, in the dystrophin‐competent fibres from DMD/BMD carriers, and revertant fibre clusters in biopsies from DMD patients. These findings suggest that utrophin overexpression could act as a surrogate, compensating for the lack of dystrophin, and, as such, it could be used in combination with dystrophin restoration therapies. Different strategies to overexpress utrophin are currently under investigation. In recent years, many compounds have been reported to modulate utrophin expression efficiently in preclinical studies and ameliorate the dystrophic phenotype in animal models of the disease. In this manuscript, we discuss the current knowledge on utrophin protein and the different mechanisms that modulate its expression in skeletal muscle. We also include a comprehensive review of compounds proposed as utrophin regulators and, as such, potential therapeutic candidates for these muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Soblechero-Martín
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.,Clinical Laboratory Service, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Bilbao-Basurto Integrated Health Organisation, Basurto University Hospital, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Andrea López-Martínez
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | | | | | - Virginia Arechavala-Gomeza
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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Nelson CE, Robinson-Hamm JN, Gersbach CA. Genome engineering: a new approach to gene therapy for neuromuscular disorders. Nat Rev Neurol 2017; 13:647-661. [DOI: 10.1038/nrneurol.2017.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Gintjee TJJ, Magh ASH, Bertoni C. High throughput screening in duchenne muscular dystrophy: from drug discovery to functional genomics. Biology (Basel) 2014; 3:752-80. [PMID: 25405319 PMCID: PMC4280510 DOI: 10.3390/biology3040752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 10/28/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Centers for the screening of biologically active compounds and genomic libraries are becoming common in the academic setting and have enabled researchers devoted to developing strategies for the treatment of diseases or interested in studying a biological phenomenon to have unprecedented access to libraries that, until few years ago, were accessible only by pharmaceutical companies. As a result, new drugs and genetic targets have now been identified for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the most prominent of the neuromuscular disorders affecting children. Although the work is still at an early stage, the results obtained to date are encouraging and demonstrate the importance that these centers may have in advancing therapeutic strategies for DMD as well as other diseases. This review will provide a summary of the status and progress made toward the development of a cure for this disorder and implementing high-throughput screening (HTS) technologies as the main source of discovery. As more academic institutions are gaining access to HTS as a valuable discovery tool, the identification of new biologically active molecules is likely to grow larger. In addition, the presence in the academic setting of experts in different aspects of the disease will offer the opportunity to develop novel assays capable of identifying new targets to be pursued as potential therapeutic options. These assays will represent an excellent source to be used by pharmaceutical companies for the screening of larger libraries providing the opportunity to establish strong collaborations between the private and academic sectors and maximizing the chances of bringing into the clinic new drugs for the treatment of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J J Gintjee
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Alvin S H Magh
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Carmen Bertoni
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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Strimpakos G, Corbi N, Pisani C, Di Certo MG, Onori A, Luvisetto S, Severini C, Gabanella F, Monaco L, Mattei E, Passananti C. Novel adeno-associated viral vector delivering the utrophin gene regulator jazz counteracts dystrophic pathology in mdx mice. J Cell Physiol 2014; 229:1283-91. [PMID: 24469912 PMCID: PMC4303978 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 01/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Over-expression of the dystrophin-related gene utrophin represents a promising therapeutic strategy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The strategy is based on the ability of utrophin to functionally replace defective dystrophin. We developed the artificial zinc finger transcription factor “Jazz” that up-regulates both the human and mouse utrophin promoter. We observed a significant recovery of muscle strength in dystrophic Jazz-transgenic mdx mice. Here we demonstrate the efficacy of an experimental gene therapy based on the systemic delivery of Jazz gene in mdx mice by adeno-associated virus (AAV). AAV serotype 8 was chosen on the basis of its high affinity for skeletal muscle. Muscle-specific expression of the therapeutic Jazz gene was enhanced by adding the muscle α-actin promoter to the AAV vector (mAAV). Injection of mAAV8-Jazz viral preparations into mdx mice resulted in muscle-specific Jazz expression coupled with up-regulation of the utrophin gene. We show a significant recovery from the dystrophic phenotype in mAAV8-Jazz-treated mdx mice. Histological and physiological analysis revealed a reduction of fiber necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration associated with functional recovery in muscle contractile force. The combination of ZF-ATF technology with the AAV delivery can open a new avenue to obtain a therapeutic strategy for treatment of DMD. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 1283–1291, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Cellular Physiology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Strimpakos
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology CNR, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating genetic muscle wasting disease caused by mutations in the DMD gene that in turn lead to an absence of dystrophin. Currently, there is no definitive therapy for DMD. Gene- and cell-based therapies designed to replace dystrophin have met some degree of success, as have strategies that seek to improve the dystrophic pathology independent of dystrophin. AREAS COVERED In this review the authors focus on utrophin promoter activation-based strategies and their implications on potential therapeutics for DMD. These strategies in common are designed to identify drugs/small molecules that can activate the utrophin promoter and would allow the functional substitution of dystrophin by upregulating utrophin expression in dystrophic muscle. The authors provide an overview of utrophin biology with a focus on regulation of the utrophin promoter and discuss current attempts in identifying utrophin promoter-activating molecules using high-throughput screening (HTS). EXPERT OPINION The characterisation of utrophin promoter regulatory mechanisms coupled with advances in HTS have allowed researchers to undertake screens and identify a number of promising lead compounds that may prove useful for DMD. In principle, these pharmacological compounds offer significant advantages from a translational viewpoint for developing DMD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Moorwood
- University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, 438 Levy Research Building, 240 S. 40th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Huisman C, Wisman GBA, Kazemier HG, van Vugt MATM, van der Zee AGJ, Schuuring E, Rots MG. Functional validation of putative tumor suppressor gene C13ORF18 in cervical cancer by Artificial Transcription Factors. Mol Oncol 2013; 7:669-79. [PMID: 23522960 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2013.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2012] [Revised: 02/03/2013] [Accepted: 02/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
C13ORF18 is frequently hypermethylated in cervical cancer but not in normal cervix and might serve as a biomarker for the early detection of cervical cancer in scrapings. As hypermethylation is often observed for silenced tumor suppressor genes (TSGs), hypermethylated biomarker genes might exhibit tumor suppressive activities upon re-expression. Epigenetic drugs are successfully exploited to reverse TSG silencing, but act genome-wide. Artificial Transcription Factors (ATFs) provide a gene-specific approach for re-expression of silenced genes. Here, we investigated the potential tumor suppressive role of C13ORF18 in cervical cancer by ATF-induced re-expression. Five zinc finger proteins were engineered to bind the C13ORF18 promoter and fused to a strong transcriptional activator. C13ORF18 expression could be induced in cervical cell lines: ranging from >40-fold in positive (C13ORF18-unmethylated) cells to >110-fold in negative (C13ORF18-methylated) cells. Re-activation of C13ORF18 resulted in significant cell growth inhibition and/or induction of apoptosis. Co-treatment of cell lines with ATFs and epigenetic drugs further enhanced the ATF-induced effects. Interestingly, re-activation of C13ORF18 led to partial demethylation of the C13ORF18 promoter and decreased repressive histone methylation. These data demonstrate the potency of ATFs to re-express and potentially demethylate hypermethylated silenced genes. Concluding, we show that C13ORF18 has a TSG function in cervical cancer and may serve as a therapeutic anti-cancer target. As the amount of epimutations in cancer exceeds the number of gene mutations, ATFs provide promising tools to validate hypermethylated marker genes as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Huisman
- Dept. of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Centre Groningen (UMCG), University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Onori A, Pisani C, Strimpakos G, Monaco L, Mattei E, Passananti C, Corbi N. UtroUp is a novel six zinc finger artificial transcription factor that recognises 18 base pairs of the utrophin promoter and efficiently drives utrophin upregulation. BMC Mol Biol 2013; 14:3. [PMID: 23363418 PMCID: PMC3576267 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2199-14-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/12/2012] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common X-linked muscle degenerative disease and it is due to the absence of the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin. Currently there is no effective treatment for DMD. Among the different strategies for achieving a functional recovery of the dystrophic muscle, the upregulation of the dystrophin-related gene utrophin is becoming more and more feasible. Results We have previously shown that the zinc finger-based artificial transcriptional factor “Jazz” corrects the dystrophic pathology in mdx mice by upregulating utrophin gene expression. Here we describe a novel artificial transcription factor, named “UtroUp”, engineered to further improve the DNA-binding specificity. UtroUp has been designed to recognise an extended DNA target sequence on both the human and mouse utrophin gene promoters. The UtroUp DNA-binding domain contains six zinc finger motifs in tandem, which is able to recognise an 18-base-pair DNA target sequence that statistically is present only once in the human genome. To achieve a higher transcriptional activation, we coupled the UtroUp DNA-binding domain with the innovative transcriptional activation domain, which was derived from the multivalent adaptor protein Che-1/AATF. We show that the artificial transcription factor UtroUp, due to its six zinc finger tandem motif, possesses a low dissociation constant that is consistent with a strong affinity/specificity toward its DNA-binding site. When expressed in mammalian cell lines, UtroUp promotes utrophin transcription and efficiently accesses active chromatin promoting accumulation of the acetylated form of histone H3 in the utrophin promoter locus. Conclusions This novel artificial molecule may represent an improved platform for the development of future applications in DMD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Onori
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology CNR, Department of Molecular Medicine, University Sapienza, Rome, Italy
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Abstract
Zinc finger (ZF) proteins belonging to the Cys2-His2 class provide a simple and versatile framework to design novel artificial transcription factors (ATFs) targeted to the desired genes. Our work is based on ZF ATFs engineered to up-regulate the expression level of the dystrophin-related gene utrophin in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In particular, on the basis of the "recognition code" that defines specific rules between zinc finger primary structure and potential DNA-binding sites we engineered and selected a new family of artificial transcription factors, whose DNA-binding domain consists in a three zinc finger peptide called "Jazz." Jazz protein binds specifically the 9 bp DNA sequence (5(')-GCT-GCT-GCG-3(')) present in the promoter region of both the human and mouse utrophin gene. We generated a transgenic mouse expressing Jazz protein fused to the strong transcriptional activation domain VP16 and under the control of the muscle specific promoter of the myosin light chain gene. Vp16-Jazz mice display a strong up-regulation of the utrophin at both mRNA and protein levels. To our knowledge, this represents the first example of a transgenic mouse expressing an artificial gene coding for a zinc finger-based transcription factor.
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Di Certo MG, Corbi N, Strimpakos G, Onori A, Luvisetto S, Severini C, Guglielmotti A, Batassa EM, Pisani C, Floridi A, Benassi B, Fanciulli M, Magrelli A, Mattei E, Passananti C. The artificial gene Jazz, a transcriptional regulator of utrophin, corrects the dystrophic pathology in mdx mice. Hum Mol Genet 2009; 19:752-60. [PMID: 19965907 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddp539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The absence of the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin results in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The utrophin protein is the best candidate for dystrophin replacement in DMD patients. To obtain therapeutic levels of utrophin expression in dystrophic muscle, we developed an alternative strategy based on the use of artificial zinc finger transcription factors (ZF ATFs). The ZF ATF 'Jazz' was recently engineered and tested in vivo by generating a transgenic mouse specifically expressing Jazz at the muscular level. To validate the ZF ATF technology for DMD treatment we generated a second mouse model by crossing Jazz-transgenic mice with dystrophin-deficient mdx mice. Here, we show that the artificial Jazz protein restores sarcolemmal integrity and prevents the development of the dystrophic disease in mdx mice. This exclusive animal model establishes the notion that utrophin-based therapy for DMD can be efficiently developed using ZF ATF technology and candidates Jazz as a novel therapeutic molecule for DMD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Di Certo
- Istituto di Neurobiologia e Medicina Molecolare, CNR, IRCCS Fondazione S. Lucia, 00143 Rome, Italy
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Abstract
Artificial transcription factors (ATFs) are potentially a powerful molecular tool to modulate endogenous target gene expression in living cells and organisms. To date, many DNA-binding molecules have been developed as the DNA-binding domains for ATFs. Among them, ATFs comprising Cys(2)His(2)-type zinc-finger proteins (ZFPs) as the DNA-binding domain have been extensively explored. The zinc-finger-based ATFs specifically recognize targeting sites in chromosomes and effectively up- and downregulate expression of their target genes not only in vitro, but also in vivo. In this review, after briefly introducing Cys(2)His(2)-type ZFPs, I will review the studies of endogenous human gene regulation by zinc-finger-based ATFs and other applications as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Sera
- Department of Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Kyotodaigaku-Katsura, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto 615-8510, Japan.
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Desantis A, Onori A, Di Certo MG, Mattei E, Fanciulli M, Passananti C, Corbi N. Novel activation domain derived from Che-1 cofactor coupled with the artificial protein Jazz drives utrophin upregulation. Neuromuscul Disord 2009; 19:158-62. [PMID: 19162479 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2008.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2008] [Revised: 10/31/2008] [Accepted: 11/10/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Our aim is to upregulate the expression level of the dystrophin related gene utrophin in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, thus complementing the lack of dystrophin functions. To this end, we have engineered synthetic zinc finger based transcription factors. We have previously shown that the artificial three-zinc finger protein named Jazz fused with the Vp16 activation domain, is able to bind utrophin promoter A and to increase the endogenous level of utrophin in transgenic mice. Here, we report on an innovative artificial protein, named CJ7, that consists of Jazz DNA binding domain fused to a novel activation domain derived from the regulatory multivalent adaptor protein Che-1/AATF. This transcriptional activation domain is 100 amino acids in size and it is very powerful as compared to the Vp16 activation domain. We show that CJ7 protein efficiently promotes transcription and accumulation of the acetylated form of histone H3 on the genomic utrophin promoter locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Desantis
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari, CNR, c/o Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Via delle Messi d'Oro 156, 00158 Rome, Italy
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Mattei E, Corbi N, Di Certo MG, Strimpakos G, Severini C, Onori A, Desantis A, Libri V, Buontempo S, Floridi A, Fanciulli M, Baban D, Davies KE, Passananti C. Utrophin up-regulation by an artificial transcription factor in transgenic mice. PLoS One 2007; 2:e774. [PMID: 17712422 PMCID: PMC1942121 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2007] [Accepted: 07/23/2007] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a severe muscle degenerative disease, due to absence of dystrophin. There is currently no effective treatment for DMD. Our aim is to up-regulate the expression level of the dystrophin related gene utrophin in DMD, complementing in this way the lack of dystrophin functions. To this end we designed and engineered several synthetic zinc finger based transcription factors. In particular, we have previously shown that the artificial three zinc finger protein named Jazz, fused with the appropriate effector domain, is able to drive the transcription of a test gene from the utrophin promoter “A”. Here we report on the characterization of Vp16-Jazz-transgenic mice that specifically over-express the utrophin gene at the muscular level. A Chromatin Immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP) demonstrated the effective access/binding of the Jazz protein to active chromatin in mouse muscle and Vp16-Jazz was shown to be able to up-regulate endogenous utrophin gene expression by immunohistochemistry, western blot analyses and real-time PCR. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a transgenic mouse expressing an artificial gene coding for a zinc finger based transcription factor. The achievement of Vp16-Jazz transgenic mice validates the strategy of transcriptional targeting of endogenous genes and could represent an exclusive animal model for use in drug discovery and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Mattei
- Istituto di Neurobiologia e Medicina Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
- Italian Association for Cancer Research, Roman Oncogenomic Center, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Corbi
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Di Certo
- Istituto di Neurobiologia e Medicina Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Georgios Strimpakos
- Istituto di Neurobiologia e Medicina Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Severini
- Istituto di Neurobiologia e Medicina Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, European Brain Research Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Onori
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Agata Desantis
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Valentina Libri
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Buontempo
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Aristide Floridi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
- Laboratory B, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Fanciulli
- Italian Association for Cancer Research, Roman Oncogenomic Center, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory B, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Dilair Baban
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Medical Research Council Functional Genetics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kay E. Davies
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Medical Research Council Functional Genetics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Claudio Passananti
- Italian Association for Cancer Research, Roman Oncogenomic Center, Rome, Italy
- Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolari, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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