1
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Pierre M, Jauvin D, Puymirat J, Boutjdir M, Chahine M. Generation of three myotonic dystrophy type 1 patient iPSC lines (CBRCULi018-A, CBRCULi019-A, CBRCULi020-A) derived from lymphoblastoid cell lines for disease modelling and therapeutic research. Stem Cell Res 2024; 76:103375. [PMID: 38490135 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2024.103375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most prevalent adult-onset muscular dystrophy affecting 1 in 8,000 individuals. It is characterized by multisystemic symptoms, primarily myopathy. The root cause of DM1 is a heterozygous CTG triplet expansion beyond the normal size threshold in the non-coding region of the DM1 protein kinase gene (DMPK). In our study, we generated and characterized three distinct DM1 induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines with CTG repeat expansions ranging from 900 to 2000 in the DMPK gene. These iPSC lines maintained normal karyotypes, exhibited distinctive colony morphology, robustly expressed pluripotency markers, differentiated into the three primary germ layers, and lacked residual viral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Pierre
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Quebec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Dominic Jauvin
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Quebec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Jack Puymirat
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; LOEX, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Mohamed Boutjdir
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, New York City, NY 11209, USA; Department of Medicine, Cell Biology and Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, New York, NY 11203, USA; Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Mohamed Chahine
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, 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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2
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Yoshizumi K, Nishi M, Igeta M, Nakamori M, Inoue K, Matsumura T, Fujimura H, Jinnai K, Kimura T. Analysis of splicing abnormalities in the white matter of myotonic dystrophy type 1 brain using RNA sequencing. Neurosci Res 2024; 200:48-56. [PMID: 37806497 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a neuromuscular disorder caused by the genomic expansion of CTG repeats, in which RNA-binding proteins, such as muscleblind-like protein, are sequestered in the nucleus, and abnormal splicing is observed in various genes. Although abnormal splicing occurs in the brains of patients with DM1, its relation to central nervous system symptoms is unknown. Several imaging studies have indicated substantial white matter defects in patients with DM1. Here, we performed RNA sequencing and analysis of CTG repeat lengths in the frontal lobe of patients with DM1, separating the gray matter and white matter, to investigate splicing abnormalities in the DM1 brain, especially in the white matter. Several genes showed similar levels of splicing abnormalities in both gray and white matter, with an observable trend toward an increased number of repeats in the gray matter. These findings suggest that white matter defects in DM1 stem from aberrant RNA splicing in both gray and white matter. Notably, several of the genes displaying abnormal splicing are recognized as being dominantly expressed in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, leading us to hypothesize that splicing defects in the white matter may be attributed to abnormal RNA splicing in glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Yoshizumi
- Department of Neurology, Hyogo Medical University, Nishinomiya, 663-8501 Hyogo, Japan
| | - Masamitsu Nishi
- Department of Neurology, Hyogo Medical University, Nishinomiya, 663-8501 Hyogo, Japan
| | - Masataka Igeta
- Department of Biostatistics, Hyogo Medical University, Nishinomiya, 663-8501 Hyogo, Japan
| | - Masayuki Nakamori
- Department of Neurology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, 755-8505 Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Kimiko Inoue
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Osaka Toneyama Medical Center, Toyonaka, 560-8552 Osaka, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Matsumura
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Osaka Toneyama Medical Center, Toyonaka, 560-8552 Osaka, Japan
| | - Harutoshi Fujimura
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Osaka Toneyama Medical Center, Toyonaka, 560-8552 Osaka, Japan
| | - Kenji Jinnai
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Hyogo-Chuo Hospital, Sanda, 669-1515 Hyogo, Japan
| | - Takashi Kimura
- Department of Neurology, Hyogo Medical University, Nishinomiya, 663-8501 Hyogo, Japan.
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3
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Rösing S, Ullrich F, Meisterfeld S, Schmidt F, Mlitzko L, Croon M, Nattrass RG, Eberl N, Mahlberg J, Schlee M, Wieland A, Simon P, Hilbig D, Reuner U, Rapp A, Bremser J, Mirtschink P, Drukewitz S, Zillinger T, Beissert S, Paeschke K, Hartmann G, Trifunovic A, Bartok E, Günther C. Chronic endoplasmic reticulum stress in myotonic dystrophy type 2 promotes autoimmunity via mitochondrial DNA release. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1534. [PMID: 38378748 PMCID: PMC10879130 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45535-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is a tetranucleotide CCTG repeat expansion disease associated with an increased prevalence of autoimmunity. Here, we identified an elevated type I interferon (IFN) signature in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and primary fibroblasts of DM2 patients as a trigger of chronic immune stimulation. Although RNA-repeat accumulation was prevalent in the cytosol of DM2-patient fibroblasts, type-I IFN release did not depend on innate RNA immune sensors but rather the DNA sensor cGAS and the prevalence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the cytoplasm. Sublethal mtDNA release was promoted by a chronic activation of the ATF6 branch of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in reaction to RNA-repeat accumulation and non-AUG translated tetrapeptide expansion proteins. ATF6-dependent mtDNA release and resulting cGAS/STING activation could also be recapitulated in human THP-1 monocytes exposed to chronic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Altogether, our study demonstrates a novel mechanism by which large repeat expansions cause chronic endoplasmic reticulum stress and associated mtDNA leakage. This mtDNA is, in turn, sensed by the cGAS/STING pathway and induces a type-I IFN response predisposing to autoimmunity. Elucidating this pathway reveals new potential therapeutic targets for autoimmune disorders associated with repeat expansion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Rösing
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Fabian Ullrich
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Susann Meisterfeld
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Franziska Schmidt
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Laura Mlitzko
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marijana Croon
- Institute for Mitochondrial Diseases and Aging, Faculty of Medicine, CECAD Research Center, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ryan G Nattrass
- Institute of Experimental Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nadia Eberl
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Julia Mahlberg
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Martin Schlee
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anja Wieland
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Philipp Simon
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniel Hilbig
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ulrike Reuner
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexander Rapp
- Department of Biology, Cell biology and Epigenetic, Technical University of Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Julia Bremser
- Institute of Experimental Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Mirtschink
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephan Drukewitz
- Core Unit for Molecular Tumor Diagnostics (CMTD), National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Partner Site Dresden, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Zillinger
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan Beissert
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Katrin Paeschke
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- Department of Oncology, Hematology, Rheumatology and Immune-Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gunther Hartmann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Aleksandra Trifunovic
- Institute for Mitochondrial Diseases and Aging, Faculty of Medicine, CECAD Research Center, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Eva Bartok
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- Unit of Experimental Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Claudia Günther
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
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Kleefeld F, Horvath R, Pinal-Fernandez I, Mammen AL, Casal-Dominguez M, Hathazi D, Melchert S, Hahn K, Sickmann A, Muselmann-Genschow C, Hentschel A, Preuße C, Roos A, Schoser B, Stenzel W. Multi-level profiling unravels mitochondrial dysfunction in myotonic dystrophy type 2. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:19. [PMID: 38240888 PMCID: PMC10799095 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02673-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is an autosomal-dominant multisystemic disease with a core manifestation of proximal muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, myotonia, and myalgia. The disease-causing CCTG tetranucleotide expansion within the CNBP gene on chromosome 3 leads to an RNA-dominated spliceopathy, which is currently untreatable. Research exploring the pathophysiological mechanisms in myotonic dystrophy type 1 has resulted in new insights into disease mechanisms and identified mitochondrial dysfunction as a promising therapeutic target. It remains unclear whether similar mechanisms underlie DM2 and, if so, whether these might also serve as potential therapeutic targets. In this cross-sectional study, we studied DM2 skeletal muscle biopsy specimens on proteomic, molecular, and morphological, including ultrastructural levels in two separate patient cohorts consisting of 8 (explorative cohort) and 40 (confirmatory cohort) patients. Seven muscle biopsy specimens from four female and three male DM2 patients underwent proteomic analysis and respiratory chain enzymology. We performed bulk RNA sequencing, immunoblotting of respiratory chain complexes, mitochondrial DNA copy number determination, and long-range PCR (LR-PCR) to study mitochondrial DNA deletions on six biopsies. Proteomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed a downregulation of essential mitochondrial proteins and their respective RNA transcripts, namely of subunits of respiratory chain complexes I, III, and IV (e.g., mt-CO1, mt-ND1, mt-CYB, NDUFB6) and associated translation factors (TACO1). Light microscopy showed mitochondrial abnormalities (e.g., an age-inappropriate amount of COX-deficient fibers, subsarcolemmal accumulation) in most biopsy specimens. Electron microscopy revealed widespread ultrastructural mitochondrial abnormalities, including dysmorphic mitochondria with paracrystalline inclusions. Immunofluorescence studies with co-localization of autophagy (p62, LC-3) and mitochondrial marker proteins (TOM20, COX-IV), as well as immunohistochemistry for mitophagy marker BNIP3 indicated impaired mitophagic flux. Immunoblotting and LR-PCR did not reveal significant differences between patients and controls. In contrast, mtDNA copy number measurement showed a reduction of mtDNA copy numbers in the patient group compared to controls. This first multi-level study of DM2 unravels thus far undescribed functional and structural mitochondrial abnormalities. However, the molecular link between the tetranucleotide expansion and mitochondrial dysfunction needs to be further elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Kleefeld
- Department of Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rita Horvath
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Iago Pinal-Fernandez
- Muscle Disease Unit, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Andrew L Mammen
- Muscle Disease Unit, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Maria Casal-Dominguez
- Muscle Disease Unit, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Denisa Hathazi
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sarah Melchert
- Department of Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrin Hahn
- Department of Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Albert Sickmann
- Leibniz-Institut Für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS E.V., 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Claudia Muselmann-Genschow
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Hentschel
- Leibniz-Institut Für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS E.V., 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Corinna Preuße
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Roos
- Pediatric Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University Children's Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Benedikt Schoser
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Werner Stenzel
- Department of Neuropathology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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5
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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6
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [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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7
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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8
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De Serres-Bérard T, Jauvin D, Puymirat J, Chahine M. Generation of induced pluripotent stem cell lines from pediatric patients with congenital myotonic dystrophy (CBRCULi012-A and CBRCULi013-A) and age-matched controls (CBRCULi010-A and CBRCULi011-A). Stem Cell Res 2023; 72:103234. [PMID: 37871474 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2023.103234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital myotonic dystrophy (CDM) is an autosomal dominant multisystemic disorder attributed to a large expansion of CTG trinucleotide repeats within the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) gene. In this study, we successfully reprogrammed dermal fibroblasts derived from two pediatric CDM patients and two age-matched individuals into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using a non-integrating viral vector. The resulting CDM iPSC lines harbored approximately 2000 CTG repeats in the mutated DMPK allele. These iPSC lines expressed pluripotency markers and exhibited the capacity to differentiate into cells representing all three germinal layers, confirming their reliability as a research tool for investigating CDM and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiéry De Serres-Bérard
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Quebec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Dominic Jauvin
- CERVO Brain Research Centre, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Quebec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - 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 Brain Research Centre, 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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9
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Chahine M, Jauvin D, Pierre M, Puymirat J, Boutjdir M. Lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from iPSCs of a myotonic dystrophy type 1 patient carrying 700 CTG repeats (CBRCULi007-A) and a control (CBRCULi006-A). Stem Cell Res 2023; 71:103148. [PMID: 37352653 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2023.103148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder that affects many organs, including the heart. DM1 is caused by a heterozygous CTG triplet expansion exceeding the normal size threshold in the non-coding region of the DM1 protein kinase gene (DMPK). We generated and characterized a DM1 iPSC line carrying a 700 CTG repeat expansion as well as a control iPSC line from a healthy individual. The two iPSC lines expressed several pluripotency markers, had the capacity to differentiate into the three primary germ layers, had no residual viral vectors, had normal karyotypes, and had a typical colony morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Chahine
- CERVO Research Centre, 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.
| | - Dominic Jauvin
- CERVO Research Centre, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Quebec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Marion Pierre
- CERVO Research Centre, Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Quebec City, QC G1J 2G3, Canada
| | - Jack Puymirat
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; LOEX, CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Centre, Quebec City, QC G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Mohamed Boutjdir
- Cardiovascular Research Program, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, New York City, NY 11209, USA; Department of Medicine, Cell Biology and Pharmacology, SUNY Downstate Health Science University, New York City, NY 11203, USA; Department of Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York City, NY 10016, USA
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10
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Conte TC, Duran-Bishop G, Orfi Z, Mokhtari I, Deprez A, Côté I, Molina T, Kim TY, Tellier L, Roussel MP, Maggiorani D, Benabdallah B, Leclerc S, Feulner L, Pellerito O, Mathieu J, Andelfinger G, Gagnon C, Beauséjour C, McGraw S, Duchesne E, Dumont NA. Clearance of defective muscle stem cells by senolytics restores myogenesis in myotonic dystrophy type 1. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4033. [PMID: 37468473 PMCID: PMC10356779 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39663-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscle stem cells, the engine of muscle repair, are affected in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1); however, the underlying molecular mechanism and the impact on the disease severity are still elusive. Here, we show using patients' samples that muscle stem cells/myoblasts exhibit signs of cellular senescence in vitro and in situ. Single cell RNAseq uncovers a subset of senescent myoblasts expressing high levels of genes related to the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). We show that the levels of interleukin-6, a prominent SASP cytokine, in the serum of DM1 patients correlate with muscle weakness and functional capacity limitations. Drug screening revealed that the senolytic BCL-XL inhibitor (A1155463) can specifically remove senescent DM1 myoblasts by inducing their apoptosis. Clearance of senescent cells reduced the expression of SASP, which rescued the proliferation and differentiation capacity of DM1 myoblasts in vitro and enhanced their engraftment following transplantation in vivo. Altogether, this study identifies the pathogenic mechanism associated with muscle stem cell defects in DM1 and opens a therapeutic avenue that targets these defective cells to restore myogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talita C Conte
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of pharmacology and physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gilberto Duran-Bishop
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of obstetrics and gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Zakaria Orfi
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of pharmacology and physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Inès Mokhtari
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Health Sciences, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada
- Neuromuscular diseases interdisciplinary research group (GRIMN), Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | - Alyson Deprez
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of pharmacology and physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Isabelle Côté
- Neuromuscular diseases interdisciplinary research group (GRIMN), Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | - Thomas Molina
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of pharmacology and physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tae-Yeon Kim
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of microbiology, infectiology and immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lydia Tellier
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- School of rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Pier Roussel
- Neuromuscular diseases interdisciplinary research group (GRIMN), Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Saguenay, QC, Canada
- Department of Fundamental Sciences, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | - Damien Maggiorani
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of pharmacology and physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Lara Feulner
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Jean Mathieu
- Neuromuscular diseases interdisciplinary research group (GRIMN), Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Saguenay, QC, Canada
- CHU Sherbrooke Research Center, and Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Gregor Andelfinger
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Cynthia Gagnon
- Neuromuscular diseases interdisciplinary research group (GRIMN), Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Saguenay, QC, Canada
- CHU Sherbrooke Research Center, and Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Christian Beauséjour
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of pharmacology and physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Serge McGraw
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of obstetrics and gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Elise Duchesne
- Department of Health Sciences, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada.
- Neuromuscular diseases interdisciplinary research group (GRIMN), Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Saguenay, QC, Canada.
| | - Nicolas A Dumont
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- School of rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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11
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [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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12
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Hildebrandt RP, Moss KR, Janusz-Kaminska A, Knudson LA, Denes LT, Saxena T, Boggupalli DP, Li Z, Lin K, Bassell GJ, Wang ET. Muscleblind-like proteins use modular domains to localize RNAs by riding kinesins and docking to membranes. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3427. [PMID: 37296096 PMCID: PMC10256740 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38923-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA binding proteins (RBPs) act as critical facilitators of spatially regulated gene expression. Muscleblind-like (MBNL) proteins, implicated in myotonic dystrophy and cancer, localize RNAs to myoblast membranes and neurites through unknown mechanisms. We find that MBNL forms motile and anchored granules in neurons and myoblasts, and selectively associates with kinesins Kif1bα and Kif1c through its zinc finger (ZnF) domains. Other RBPs with similar ZnFs associate with these kinesins, implicating a motor-RBP specificity code. MBNL and kinesin perturbation leads to widespread mRNA mis-localization, including depletion of Nucleolin transcripts from neurites. Live cell imaging and fractionation reveal that the unstructured carboxy-terminal tail of MBNL1 allows for anchoring at membranes. An approach, termed RBP Module Recruitment and Imaging (RBP-MRI), reconstitutes kinesin- and membrane-recruitment functions using MBNL-MS2 coat protein fusions. Our findings decouple kinesin association, RNA binding, and membrane anchoring functions of MBNL while establishing general strategies for studying multi-functional, modular domains of RBPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan P Hildebrandt
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Center for Neurogenetics, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kathryn R Moss
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Luke A Knudson
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Lance T Denes
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Center for Neurogenetics, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Tanvi Saxena
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Center for Neurogenetics, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Devi Prasad Boggupalli
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Center for Neurogenetics, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Zhuangyue Li
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Center for Neurogenetics, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kun Lin
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Gary J Bassell
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Eric T Wang
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Center for Neurogenetics, Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- Myology Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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13
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Álvarez-Abril MC, García-Alcover I, Colonques-Bellmunt J, Garijo R, Pérez-Alonso M, Artero R, López-Castel A. Natural Compound Boldine Lessens Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Phenotypes in DM1 Drosophila Models, Patient-Derived Cell Lines, and HSA LR Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9820. [PMID: 37372969 PMCID: PMC10298378 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a complex rare disorder characterized by progressive muscle dysfunction, involving weakness, myotonia, and wasting, but also exhibiting additional clinical signs in multiple organs and systems. Central dysregulation, caused by an expansion of a CTG trinucleotide repeat in the DMPK gene's 3' UTR, has led to exploring various therapeutic approaches in recent years, a few of which are currently under clinical trial. However, no effective disease-modifying treatments are available yet. In this study, we demonstrate that treatments with boldine, a natural alkaloid identified in a large-scale Drosophila-based pharmacological screening, was able to modify disease phenotypes in several DM1 models. The most significant effects include consistent reduction in nuclear RNA foci, a dynamic molecular hallmark of the disease, and noteworthy anti-myotonic activity. These results position boldine as an attractive new candidate for therapy development in DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irma García-Alcover
- Valentia BioPharma S.L., 46980 Paterna, Spain (R.A.)
- Human Translational Genomics Group, Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), University of Valencia, 46100 Burjasot, Spain
| | | | - Raquel Garijo
- Valentia BioPharma S.L., 46980 Paterna, Spain (R.A.)
| | - Manuel Pérez-Alonso
- Valentia BioPharma S.L., 46980 Paterna, Spain (R.A.)
- Human Translational Genomics Group, Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), University of Valencia, 46100 Burjasot, Spain
- Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rubén Artero
- Valentia BioPharma S.L., 46980 Paterna, Spain (R.A.)
- Human Translational Genomics Group, Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), University of Valencia, 46100 Burjasot, Spain
- Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Arturo López-Castel
- Valentia BioPharma S.L., 46980 Paterna, Spain (R.A.)
- Human Translational Genomics Group, Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), University of Valencia, 46100 Burjasot, Spain
- Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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14
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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15
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Kuntawala DH, Martins F, Vitorino R, Rebelo S. Automatic Text-Mining Approach to Identify Molecular Target Candidates Associated with Metabolic Processes for Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:2283. [PMID: 36767649 PMCID: PMC9915907 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease caused by abnormal expansion of unstable CTG repeats in the 3' untranslated region of the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) gene. This disease mainly affects skeletal muscle, resulting in myotonia, progressive distal muscle weakness, and atrophy, but also affects other tissues and systems, such as the heart and central nervous system. Despite some studies reporting therapeutic strategies for DM1, many issues remain unsolved, such as the contribution of metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunctions to DM1 pathogenesis. Therefore, it is crucial to identify molecular target candidates associated with metabolic processes for DM1. In this study, resorting to a bibliometric analysis, articles combining DM1, and metabolic/metabolism terms were identified and further analyzed using an unbiased strategy of automatic text mining with VOSviewer software. A list of candidate molecular targets for DM1 associated with metabolic/metabolism was generated and compared with genes previously associated with DM1 in the DisGeNET database. Furthermore, g:Profiler was used to perform a functional enrichment analysis using the Gene Ontology (GO) and REAC databases. Enriched signaling pathways were identified using integrated bioinformatics enrichment analyses. The results revealed that only 15 of the genes identified in the bibliometric analysis were previously associated with DM1 in the DisGeNET database. Of note, we identified 71 genes not previously associated with DM1, which are of particular interest and should be further explored. The functional enrichment analysis of these genes revealed that regulation of cellular metabolic and metabolic processes were the most associated biological processes. Additionally, a number of signaling pathways were found to be enriched, e.g., signaling by receptor tyrosine kinases, signaling by NRTK1 (TRKA), TRKA activation by NGF, PI3K-AKT activation, prolonged ERK activation events, and axon guidance. Overall, several valuable target candidates related to metabolic processes for DM1 were identified, such as NGF, NTRK1, RhoA, ROCK1, ROCK2, DAG, ACTA, ID1, ID2 MYOD, and MYOG. Therefore, our study strengthens the hypothesis that metabolic dysfunctions contribute to DM1 pathogenesis, and the exploitation of metabolic dysfunction targets is crucial for the development of future therapeutic interventions for DM1.
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16
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Wang KW, Riveros I, DeLoye J, Yildirim I. Dynamic docking of small molecules targeting RNA CUG repeats causing myotonic dystrophy type 1. Biophys J 2023; 122:180-196. [PMID: 36348626 PMCID: PMC9822796 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Expansion of RNA CUG repeats causes myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). Once transcribed, the expanded CUG repeats strongly attract muscleblind-like 1 (MBNL1) proteins and disturb their functions in cells. Because of its unique structural form, expanded RNA CUG repeats are prospective drug targets, where small molecules can be utilized to target RNA CUG repeats to inhibit MBNL1 binding and ameliorate DM1-associated defects. In this contribution, we developed two physics-based dynamic docking approaches (DynaD and DynaD/Auto) and applied them to nine small molecules known to specifically target RNA CUG repeats. While DynaD uses a distance-based reaction coordinate to study the binding phenomenon, DynaD/Auto combines results of umbrella sampling calculations performed on 1 × 1 UU internal loops and AutoDock calculations to efficiently sample the energy landscape of binding. Predictions are compared with experimental data, displaying a positive correlation with correlation coefficient (R) values of 0.70 and 0.81 for DynaD and DynaD/Auto, respectively. Furthermore, we found that the best correlation was achieved with MM/3D-RISM calculations, highlighting the importance of solvation in binding calculations. Moreover, we detected that DynaD/Auto performed better than DynaD because of the use of prior knowledge about the binding site arising from umbrella sampling calculations. Finally, we developed dendrograms to present how bound states are connected to each other in a binding process. Results are exciting, as DynaD and DynaD/Auto will allow researchers to utilize two novel physics-based and computer-aided drug-design methodologies to perform in silico calculations on drug-like molecules aiming to target complex RNA loops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kye Won Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida; Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
| | - Ivan Riveros
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida
| | - James DeLoye
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Ilyas Yildirim
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida.
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17
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Morelli KH, Jin W, Shathe S, Madrigal AA, Jones KL, Schwartz JL, Bridges T, Mueller JR, Shankar A, Chaim IA, Day JW, Yeo GW. MECP2-related pathways are dysregulated in a cortical organoid model of myotonic dystrophy. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabn2375. [PMID: 35767654 PMCID: PMC9645119 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abn2375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystem, autosomal-dominant inherited disorder caused by CTG microsatellite repeat expansions (MREs) in the 3' untranslated region of the dystrophia myotonica-protein kinase (DMPK) gene. Despite its prominence as the most common adult-onset muscular dystrophy, patients with congenital to juvenile-onset forms of DM1 can present with debilitating neurocognitive symptoms along the autism spectrum, characteristic of possible in utero cortical defects. However, the molecular mechanism by which CTG MREs lead to these developmental central nervous system (CNS) manifestations is unknown. Here, we showed that CUG foci found early in the maturation of three-dimensional (3D) cortical organoids from DM1 patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) cause hyperphosphorylation of CUGBP Elav-like family member 2 (CELF2) protein. Integrative single-cell RNA sequencing and enhanced cross-linking and immunoprecipitation (eCLIP) analysis revealed that reduced CELF2 protein-RNA substrate interactions results in misregulation of genes critical for excitatory synaptic signaling in glutamatergic neurons, including key components of the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) pathway. Comparisons to MECP2(y/-) cortical organoids revealed convergent molecular and cellular defects such as glutamate toxicity and neuronal loss. Our findings provide evidence suggesting that early-onset DM1 might involve neurodevelopmental disorder-associated pathways and identify N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) antagonists as potential treatment avenues for neuronal defects in DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn H. Morelli
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
| | - Wenhao Jin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
| | - Shashank Shathe
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
| | - Assael A. Madrigal
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
| | - Krysten L. Jones
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
| | - Joshua L. Schwartz
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
| | - Tristan Bridges
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
| | - Jasmine R. Mueller
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
| | - Archana Shankar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
| | - Isaac A. Chaim
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
| | - John W. Day
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94375, USA
| | - Gene W. Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92039, USA
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18
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Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystem trinucleotide repeat expansion disorder characterized by the misregulated alternative splicing of critical mRNAs. Previous work in a transgenic mouse model indicated that aerobic exercise effectively improves splicing regulation and function in skeletal muscle. In this issue of the JCI, Mikhail et al. describe the safety and benefits of applying this approach in individuals affected by DM1. A 12-week aerobic exercise program improved aerobic capacity and mobility, but not by the mechanism observed in transgenic mice. Here, we consider the possible reasons for this disparity and review other salient findings of the study in the context of evolving DM1 research.
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19
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Espinosa-Espinosa J, González-Barriga A, López-Castel A, Artero R. Deciphering the Complex Molecular Pathogenesis of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 through Omics Studies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031441. [PMID: 35163365 PMCID: PMC8836095 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Omics studies are crucial to improve our understanding of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), the most common muscular dystrophy in adults. Employing tissue samples and cell lines derived from patients and animal models, omics approaches have revealed the myriad alterations in gene and microRNA expression, alternative splicing, 3′ polyadenylation, CpG methylation, and proteins levels, among others, that contribute to this complex multisystem disease. In addition, omics characterization of drug candidate treatment experiments provides crucial insight into the degree of therapeutic rescue and off-target effects that can be achieved. Finally, several innovative technologies such as single-cell sequencing and artificial intelligence will have a significant impact on future DM1 research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Espinosa-Espinosa
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Valencia, Spain; (J.E.-E.); (R.A.)
- Translational Genomics Group, Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Anchel González-Barriga
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Inserm, Institut de Myologie, Sorbonne Université, 75013 Paris, France;
| | - Arturo López-Castel
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Valencia, Spain; (J.E.-E.); (R.A.)
- Translational Genomics Group, Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-963543028
| | - Rubén Artero
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, 46100 Valencia, Spain; (J.E.-E.); (R.A.)
- Translational Genomics Group, Incliva Biomedical Research Institute, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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20
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Potier B, Lallemant L, Parrot S, Huguet-Lachon A, Gourdon G, Dutar P, Gomes-Pereira M. DM1 Transgenic Mice Exhibit Abnormal Neurotransmitter Homeostasis and Synaptic Plasticity in Association with RNA Foci and Mis-Splicing in the Hippocampus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020592. [PMID: 35054778 PMCID: PMC8775431 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a severe neuromuscular disease mediated by a toxic gain of function of mutant RNAs. The neuropsychological manifestations affect multiple domains of cognition and behavior, but their etiology remains elusive. Transgenic DMSXL mice carry the DM1 mutation, show behavioral abnormalities, and express low levels of GLT1, a critical regulator of glutamate concentration in the synaptic cleft. However, the impact of glutamate homeostasis on neurotransmission in DM1 remains unknown. We confirmed reduced glutamate uptake in the DMSXL hippocampus. Patch clamp recordings in hippocampal slices revealed increased amplitude of tonic glutamate currents in DMSXL CA1 pyramidal neurons and DG granule cells, likely mediated by higher levels of ambient glutamate. Unexpectedly, extracellular GABA levels and tonic current were also elevated in DMSXL mice. Finally, we found evidence of synaptic dysfunction in DMSXL mice, suggestive of abnormal short-term plasticity, illustrated by an altered LTP time course in DG and in CA1. Synaptic dysfunction was accompanied by RNA foci accumulation in localized areas of the hippocampus and by the mis-splicing of candidate genes with relevant functions in neurotransmission. Molecular and functional changes triggered by toxic RNA may induce synaptic abnormalities in restricted brain areas that favor neuronal dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitte Potier
- LuMIn, CNRS FRE2036, ENS Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupelec, Université Paris-Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (B.P.); (P.D.)
| | - Louison Lallemant
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Institut de Myologie, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, 75013 Paris, France; (L.L.); (A.H.-L.)
| | - Sandrine Parrot
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Inserm U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Université Lyon 1, 69500 Bron, France;
| | - Aline Huguet-Lachon
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Institut de Myologie, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, 75013 Paris, France; (L.L.); (A.H.-L.)
| | - Geneviève Gourdon
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Institut de Myologie, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, 75013 Paris, France; (L.L.); (A.H.-L.)
- Correspondence: (G.G.); (M.G.-P.)
| | - Patrick Dutar
- LuMIn, CNRS FRE2036, ENS Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupelec, Université Paris-Saclay, 91190 Gif-sur-Yvette, France; (B.P.); (P.D.)
| | - Mário Gomes-Pereira
- Centre de Recherche en Myologie, Institut de Myologie, Inserm, Sorbonne Université, 75013 Paris, France; (L.L.); (A.H.-L.)
- Correspondence: (G.G.); (M.G.-P.)
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21
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Moreno N, González-Martínez I, Artero R, Cerro-Herreros E. Rapid Determination of MBNL1 Protein Levels by Quantitative Dot Blot for the Evaluation of Antisense Oligonucleotides in Myotonic Dystrophy Myoblasts. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2434:207-215. [PMID: 35213019 PMCID: PMC9703865 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2010-6_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Western blot assays are not adequate for high-throughput screening of protein expression because it is an expensive and time-consuming technique. Here we demonstrate that quantitative dot blots in plate format are a better option to determine the absolute contents of a given protein in less than 48 h. The method was optimized for the detection of the Muscleblind-like 1 protein in patient-derived myoblasts treated with a collection of more than 100 experimental oligonucleotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerea Moreno
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Translational Genomics Group, Incliva Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Joint Unit Incliva-CIPF, Valencia, Spain
| | - Irene González-Martínez
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Translational Genomics Group, Incliva Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Joint Unit Incliva-CIPF, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rubén Artero
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
- Translational Genomics Group, Incliva Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain.
- Joint Unit Incliva-CIPF, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Estefanía Cerro-Herreros
- University Research Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED), Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Translational Genomics Group, Incliva Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Joint Unit Incliva-CIPF, Valencia, Spain
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22
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Li M, Xu F, Liu Z, Wang C, Zhao Y, Zhu G, Shen X. TNF Signaling Acts Downstream of MiR-322/-503 in Regulating DM1 Myogenesis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:843202. [PMID: 35464065 PMCID: PMC9021394 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.843202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by the expanded CUG repeats and usually displays defective myogenesis. Although we previously reported that ectopic miR-322/-503 expression improved myogenesis in DM1 by targeting the toxic RNA, the underlying pathways regulating myogenesis that were aberrantly altered in DM1 and rescued by miR-322/-503 were still unknown. Here, we constructed DM1 and miR-322/-503 overexpressing DM1 myoblast models, which were subjected to in vitro myoblast differentiation along with their corresponding controls. Agreeing with previous findings, DM1 myoblast showed remarkable myogenesis defects, while miR-322/-503 overexpression successfully rescued the defects. By RNA sequencing, we noticed that Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling was the only pathway that was significantly and oppositely altered in these two experimental sets, with it upregulated in DM1 and inhibited by miR-322/-503 overexpression. Consistently, hyperactivity of TNF signaling was detected in two DM1 mouse models. Blocking TNF signaling significantly rescued the myogenesis defects in DM1. On the contrary, TNF-α treatment abolished the rescue effect of miR-322/-503 on DM1 myogenesis. Taking together, these results implied that TNF signaling mediated the myogenesis defects in DM1 and might act downstream of miR-322/-503 in regulating the myogenesis in DM1. Moreover, the inhibition of TNF signaling benefiting myogenesis in DM1 provided us with a novel therapeutic strategy for DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Feng Xu
- Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 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
| | - Yun Zhao
- 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
- *Correspondence: Xiaopeng Shen, ; Guoping Zhu,
| | - 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
- *Correspondence: Xiaopeng Shen, ; Guoping Zhu,
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23
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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] [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: 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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24
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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25
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Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy (DM) types 1 (DM1) and 2 (DM2) are caused by autosomal dominant gain-of-function RNA which are, in turn, created by the expansion of repeat sequences in the DMPK and ZNF9 genes, respectively. The expansions are highly unstable and biased for further expansion in somatic cells and across generations. Despite the different genes involved, DM1 and DM2 share several clinical features due to having the similar underlying mechanism of repetitive RNA-mediated toxicity. Both disorders manifest as multisystemic conditions with features including myotonia, cataract development, and abnormalities in cardiac conduction. At present, there is no cure for DM and treatments mostly aim at symptom management. Among the therapeutics being developed, antisense therapy using gapmers is one of the most promising. Compared to other antisense oligonucleotides, gapmers maintain the ability to induce RNase H cleavage while having enhanced target binding affinity and nuclease resistance. This chapter will consolidate the different strategies studied thus far to develop a treatment for DM1 through the targeting of toxic repetitive RNA using gapmers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quynh Nguyen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Toshifumi Yokota
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- The Friends of Garret Cumming Research and Muscular Dystrophy Canada HM Toupin Neurological Science Research Chair, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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26
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Azotla-Vilchis CN, Sanchez-Celis D, Agonizantes-Juárez LE, Suárez-Sánchez R, Hernández-Hernández JM, Peña J, Vázquez-Santillán K, Leyva-García N, Ortega A, Maldonado V, Rangel C, Magaña JJ, Cisneros B, Hernández-Hernández O. Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Altered Inflammatory Pathway in an Inducible Glial Cell Model of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020159. [PMID: 33530452 PMCID: PMC7910866 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), the most frequent inherited muscular dystrophy in adults, is caused by the CTG repeat expansion in the 3′UTR of the DMPK gene. Mutant DMPK RNA accumulates in nuclear foci altering diverse cellular functions including alternative splicing regulation. DM1 is a multisystemic condition, with debilitating central nervous system alterations. Although a defective neuroglia communication has been described as a contributor of the brain pathology in DM1, the specific cellular and molecular events potentially affected in glia cells have not been totally recognized. Thus, to study the effects of DM1 mutation on glial physiology, in this work, we have established an inducible DM1 model derived from the MIO-M1 cell line expressing 648 CUG repeats. This new model recreated the molecular hallmarks of DM1 elicited by a toxic RNA gain-of-function mechanism: accumulation of RNA foci colocalized with MBNL proteins and dysregulation of alternative splicing. By applying a microarray whole-transcriptome approach, we identified several gene changes associated with DM1 mutation in MIO-M1 cells, including the immune mediators CXCL10, CCL5, CXCL8, TNFAIP3, and TNFRSF9, as well as the microRNAs miR-222, miR-448, among others, as potential regulators. A gene ontology enrichment analyses revealed that inflammation and immune response emerged as major cellular deregulated processes in the MIO-M1 DM1 cells. Our findings indicate the involvement of an altered immune response in glia cells, opening new windows for the study of glia as potential contributor of the CNS symptoms in DM1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuauhtli N. Azotla-Vilchis
- Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Mexico City 14389, Mexico; (C.N.A.-V.); (D.S.-C.); (L.E.A.-J.); (R.S.-S.); (N.L.-G.); (J.J.M.)
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (J.M.H.-H.); (B.C.)
| | - Daniel Sanchez-Celis
- Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Mexico City 14389, Mexico; (C.N.A.-V.); (D.S.-C.); (L.E.A.-J.); (R.S.-S.); (N.L.-G.); (J.J.M.)
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (J.M.H.-H.); (B.C.)
| | - Luis E. Agonizantes-Juárez
- Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Mexico City 14389, Mexico; (C.N.A.-V.); (D.S.-C.); (L.E.A.-J.); (R.S.-S.); (N.L.-G.); (J.J.M.)
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Rocío Suárez-Sánchez
- Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Mexico City 14389, Mexico; (C.N.A.-V.); (D.S.-C.); (L.E.A.-J.); (R.S.-S.); (N.L.-G.); (J.J.M.)
| | - J. Manuel Hernández-Hernández
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (J.M.H.-H.); (B.C.)
| | - Jorge Peña
- Computational and Integrative Genomics Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (J.P.); (C.R.)
- Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA 91711, USA
| | - Karla Vázquez-Santillán
- Epigenetics Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica, Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (K.V.-S.); (V.M.)
| | - Norberto Leyva-García
- Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Mexico City 14389, Mexico; (C.N.A.-V.); (D.S.-C.); (L.E.A.-J.); (R.S.-S.); (N.L.-G.); (J.J.M.)
| | - Arturo Ortega
- Department of Toxicology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City 07360, Mexico;
| | - Vilma Maldonado
- Epigenetics Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genomica, Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (K.V.-S.); (V.M.)
| | - Claudia Rangel
- Computational and Integrative Genomics Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City 14610, Mexico; (J.P.); (C.R.)
| | - Jonathan J. Magaña
- Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Mexico City 14389, Mexico; (C.N.A.-V.); (D.S.-C.); (L.E.A.-J.); (R.S.-S.); (N.L.-G.); (J.J.M.)
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Department of Bioengineering, Tecnológico de Monterrey-Campus, Mexico City 14380, Mexico
| | - Bulmaro Cisneros
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City 07360, Mexico; (J.M.H.-H.); (B.C.)
| | - Oscar Hernández-Hernández
- Laboratory of Genomic Medicine, Department of Genetics, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación, Luis Guillermo Ibarra Ibarra, Mexico City 14389, Mexico; (C.N.A.-V.); (D.S.-C.); (L.E.A.-J.); (R.S.-S.); (N.L.-G.); (J.J.M.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +52-55-5999-1000 (ext. 14710)
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27
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Ramon-Duaso C, Rodríguez-Morató J, Selma-Soriano E, Fernández-Avilés C, Artero R, de la Torre R, Pozo ÓJ, Robledo P. Protective effects of mirtazapine in mice lacking the Mbnl2 gene in forebrain glutamatergic neurons: Relevance for myotonic dystrophy 1. Neuropharmacology 2020; 170:108030. [PMID: 32171677 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic disorder characterized by muscle weakness and wasting and by important central nervous system-related symptoms including impairments in executive functions, spatial abilities and increased anxiety and depression. The Mbnl2 gene has been implicated in several phenotypes consistent with DM1 neuropathology. In this study, we developed a tissue-specific knockout mouse model lacking the Mbnl2 gene in forebrain glutamatergic neurons to examine its specific contribution to the neurobiological perturbations related to DM1. We found that these mice exhibit long-term cognitive deficits and a depressive-like state associated with neuronal loss, increased microglia and decreased neurogenesis, specifically in the dentate gyrus (DG). Chronic treatment with the atypical antidepressant mirtazapine (3 and 10 mg/kg) for 21 days rescued these behavioral alterations, reduced inflammatory microglial overexpression, and reversed neuronal loss in the DG. We also show that mirtazapine re-established 5-HT1A and histaminergic H1 receptor gene expression in the hippocampus. Finally, metabolomics studies indicated that mirtazapine increased serotonin, noradrenaline, gamma-aminobutyric acid and adenosine production. These data suggest that loss of Mbnl2 gene in the glutamatergic neurons of hippocampus and cortex may underlie the most relevant DM1 neurobiological and behavioral features, and provide evidence that mirtazapine could be a novel potential candidate to alleviate these debilitating symptoms in DM1 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Ramon-Duaso
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (CEXS-UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Rodríguez-Morató
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (CEXS-UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de la Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición (CIBERON), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Estela Selma-Soriano
- Translational Genomics Group, Incliva Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain; Interdisciplinary Research Structure for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (ERI BIOTECMED), University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIPF-INCLIVA Joint Unit, Spain
| | - Cristina Fernández-Avilés
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rubén Artero
- Translational Genomics Group, Incliva Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain; Interdisciplinary Research Structure for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (ERI BIOTECMED), University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain; CIPF-INCLIVA Joint Unit, Spain
| | - Rafael de la Torre
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (CEXS-UPF), Barcelona, Spain; CIBER de la Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición (CIBERON), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Óscar J Pozo
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patricia Robledo
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience, IMIM-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (CEXS-UPF), Barcelona, Spain.
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28
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Kurkiewicz A, Cooper A, McIlwaine E, Cumming SA, Adam B, Krahe R, Puymirat J, Schoser B, Timchenko L, Ashizawa T, Thornton CA, Rogers S, McClure JD, Monckton DG. Towards development of a statistical framework to evaluate myotonic dystrophy type 1 mRNA biomarkers in the context of a clinical trial. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231000. [PMID: 32287265 PMCID: PMC7156058 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a rare genetic disorder, characterised by muscular dystrophy, myotonia, and other symptoms. DM1 is caused by the expansion of a CTG repeat in the 3'-untranslated region of DMPK. Longer CTG expansions are associated with greater symptom severity and earlier age at onset. The primary mechanism of pathogenesis is thought to be mediated by a gain of function of the CUG-containing RNA, that leads to trans-dysregulation of RNA metabolism of many other genes. Specifically, the alternative splicing (AS) and alternative polyadenylation (APA) of many genes is known to be disrupted. In the context of clinical trials of emerging DM1 treatments, it is important to be able to objectively quantify treatment efficacy at the level of molecular biomarkers. We show how previously described candidate mRNA biomarkers can be used to model an effective reduction in CTG length, using modern high-dimensional statistics (machine learning), and a blood and muscle mRNA microarray dataset. We show how this model could be used to detect treatment effects in the context of a clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Kurkiewicz
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Anneli Cooper
- Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Emily McIlwaine
- Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah A. Cumming
- Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Berit Adam
- Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ralf Krahe
- Department of Genetics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Jack Puymirat
- Laboratory of Human Genetics, CHUL Medical Research Centre, University of Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Benedikt Schoser
- Department of Neurology, Friedrich Baur Institute, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Lubov Timchenko
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hosptial, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | | | - Charles A. Thornton
- University of Rochester, Medical Center School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, United States of America
| | - Simon Rogers
- School of Computing Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - John D. McClure
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Darren G. Monckton
- Institute of Molecular Cell and Systems Biology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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29
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Misra C, Bangru S, Lin F, Lam K, Koenig SN, Lubbers ER, Hedhli J, Murphy NP, Parker DJ, Dobrucki LW, Cooper TA, Tajkhorshid E, Mohler PJ, Kalsotra A. Aberrant Expression of a Non-muscle RBFOX2 Isoform Triggers Cardiac Conduction Defects in Myotonic Dystrophy. Dev Cell 2020; 52:748-763.e6. [PMID: 32109384 PMCID: PMC7098852 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.01.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic genetic disorder caused by the CTG repeat expansion in the 3'-untranslated region of DMPK gene. Heart dysfunctions occur in ∼80% of DM1 patients and are the second leading cause of DM1-related deaths. Herein, we report that upregulation of a non-muscle splice isoform of RNA-binding protein RBFOX2 in DM1 heart tissue-due to altered splicing factor and microRNA activities-induces cardiac conduction defects in DM1 individuals. Mice engineered to express the non-muscle RBFOX240 isoform in heart via tetracycline-inducible transgenesis, or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing, reproduced DM1-related cardiac conduction delay and spontaneous episodes of arrhythmia. Further, by integrating RNA binding with cardiac transcriptome datasets from DM1 patients and mice expressing the non-muscle RBFOX2 isoform, we identified RBFOX240-driven splicing defects in voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels, which alter their electrophysiological properties. Thus, our results uncover a trans-dominant role for an aberrantly expressed RBFOX240 isoform in DM1 cardiac pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaitali Misra
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Sushant Bangru
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Feikai Lin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Kin Lam
- Department of Physics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Centers for Macromolecular Modeling, Bioinformatics and Experimental Molecular Imaging at Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Sara N Koenig
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ellen R Lubbers
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jamila Hedhli
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Centers for Macromolecular Modeling, Bioinformatics and Experimental Molecular Imaging at Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Nathaniel P Murphy
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Darren J Parker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Lawrence W Dobrucki
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Centers for Macromolecular Modeling, Bioinformatics and Experimental Molecular Imaging at Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Thomas A Cooper
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Emad Tajkhorshid
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Physics, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Centers for Macromolecular Modeling, Bioinformatics and Experimental Molecular Imaging at Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Peter J Mohler
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Auinash Kalsotra
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA; Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
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30
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Tomé S, Gourdon G. DM1 Phenotype Variability and Triplet Repeat Instability: Challenges in the Development of New Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21020457. [PMID: 31936870 PMCID: PMC7014087 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a complex neuromuscular disease caused by an unstable cytosine thymine guanine (CTG) repeat expansion in the DMPK gene. This disease is characterized by high clinical and genetic variability, leading to some difficulties in the diagnosis and prognosis of DM1. Better understanding the origin of this variability is important for developing new challenging therapies and, in particular, for progressing on the path of personalized treatments. Here, we reviewed CTG triplet repeat instability and its modifiers as an important source of phenotypic variability in patients with DM1.
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31
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Timchenko L. Correction of RNA-Binding Protein CUGBP1 and GSK3β Signaling as Therapeutic Approach for Congenital and Adult Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:ijms21010094. [PMID: 31877772 PMCID: PMC6982105 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a complex genetic disease affecting many tissues. DM1 is caused by an expansion of CTG repeats in the 3′-UTR of the DMPK gene. The mechanistic studies of DM1 suggested that DMPK mRNA, containing expanded CUG repeats, is a major therapeutic target in DM1. Therefore, the removal of the toxic RNA became a primary focus of the therapeutic development in DM1 during the last decade. However, a cure for this devastating disease has not been found. Whereas the degradation of toxic RNA remains a preferential approach for the reduction of DM1 pathology, other approaches targeting early toxic events downstream of the mutant RNA could be also considered. In this review, we discuss the beneficial role of the restoring of the RNA-binding protein, CUGBP1/CELF1, in the correction of DM1 pathology. It has been recently found that the normalization of CUGBP1 activity with the inhibitors of GSK3 has a positive effect on the reduction of skeletal muscle and CNS pathologies in DM1 mouse models. Surprisingly, the inhibitor of GSK3, tideglusib also reduced the toxic CUG-containing RNA. Thus, the development of the therapeutics, based on the correction of the GSK3β-CUGBP1 pathway, is a promising option for this complex disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lubov Timchenko
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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32
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Passeri E, Sansone VA, Sconfienza LM, Messina C, Meola G, Corbetta S. Fragility fractures and bone mineral density in male patients affected by type 1 and type 2 myotonic dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2019; 30:28-34. [PMID: 31902642 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2019.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy is a multisystemic disorder affecting skeletal muscle. Male patients have an increased risk of fractures and develop a number of endocrine/metabolic impairments known to adversely affect bone health. The aim of this study was primarily to determine the occurrence of fragility fractures and the bone mineralization status (lumbar spine, hip and total body by dual X-ray absorptiometry) in 36 male patients affected with type 1 myotonic dystrophy and 13 male patients affected with type 2 myotonic dystrophy. Fragility fractures occurred in 15 type 1 and 7 type 2 myotonic dystrophy in non-classical osteoporotic sites, such as metatarses. Hip osteopenia was the most frequent finding, particularly in type 2 (n = 6) than type 1 myotonic dystrophy patients (n = 1), while osteoporosis was rare. Patients with type 1 myotonic dystrophy presented higher total body bone mass density than patients with type 2 myotonic dystrophy and healthy controls and lumbar spine was associated positively with the severity of the disease. Gonadic failure, with low testosterone and reduced INSL3 levels, visceral adiposity and insulin resistance correlated with reduced body mass index in both type 1 and type 2 myotonic dystrophic patients. The independent determinant of fragility fractures were low total body mass index, low blood testosterone and low global muscle mass.
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MESH Headings
- Absorptiometry, Photon
- Adult
- Body Mass Index
- Bone Density
- Bone Diseases, Metabolic/diagnostic imaging
- Bone Diseases, Metabolic/etiology
- Bone Diseases, Metabolic/metabolism
- Bone Diseases, Metabolic/pathology
- Fractures, Bone/diagnostic imaging
- Fractures, Bone/etiology
- Fractures, Bone/metabolism
- Fractures, Bone/pathology
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Myotonic Dystrophy/complications
- Myotonic Dystrophy/metabolism
- Myotonic Dystrophy/pathology
- Osteoporosis/diagnostic imaging
- Osteoporosis/etiology
- Osteoporosis/metabolism
- Osteoporosis/pathology
- Pelvic Bones/diagnostic imaging
- Pelvic Bones/pathology
- Testosterone/blood
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Affiliation(s)
- E Passeri
- Endocrinology and Diabetology Service, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Via Riccardo Galeazzi 4, Milan 20161, Italy
| | - V A Sansone
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, University of Milan, The NEMO (NEuroMuscular Omniservice) Clinical Center, Milan 20162, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - L M Sconfienza
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan 20133, Italy; Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan 20161, Italy
| | - C Messina
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan 20133, Italy; Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan 20161, Italy
| | - G Meola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan 20133, Italy; Neurology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan 20097, Italy
| | - S Corbetta
- Endocrinology and Diabetology Service, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Via Riccardo Galeazzi 4, Milan 20161, Italy; Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Odontoiatric Sciences, University of Milan, Milan 20122, Italy.
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33
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Reddy K, Jenquin JR, Cleary JD, Berglund JA. Mitigating RNA Toxicity in Myotonic Dystrophy using Small Molecules. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4017. [PMID: 31426500 PMCID: PMC6720693 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20164017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This review, one in a series on myotonic dystrophy (DM), is focused on the development and potential use of small molecules as therapeutics for DM. The complex mechanisms and pathogenesis of DM are covered in the associated reviews. Here, we examine the various small molecule approaches taken to target the DNA, RNA, and proteins that contribute to disease onset and progression in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and 2 (DM2).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaalak Reddy
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
| | - Jana R Jenquin
- Center for NeuroGenetics and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - John D Cleary
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
| | - J Andrew Berglund
- The RNA Institute, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA.
- Center for NeuroGenetics and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA.
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34
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André LM, van Cruchten RTP, Willemse M, Wansink DG. (CTG)n repeat-mediated dysregulation of MBNL1 and MBNL2 expression during myogenesis in DM1 occurs already at the myoblast stage. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0217317. [PMID: 31116797 PMCID: PMC6530876 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a severe neuromuscular disorder caused by the expression of trinucleotide repeat-containing DMPK transcripts. Abnormally expanded (CUG)n repeats in these transcripts form hairpin-like structures that cause the RNA to accumulate in the cell nucleus by sequestering isoforms of the Muscleblind (MBNL) family, tissue-specific regulators of developmentally programmed, post-transcriptional processes in RNA metabolism. Through this mechanism, the function of MBNL in RNA processing becomes dominantly perturbed, which eventually leads to aberrant alternative splicing and the expression of foetal splice variants of a wide variety of proteins, including the MBNL isoforms themselves. Here, we employ a patient-derived muscle cell model for DM1 to examine in detail the expression of MBNL RNA and protein variants during myogenic differentiation. This DM1 model consists of a panel of isogenic myoblast cell lines that either contain a pathogenic DMPK allele with a congenital mutation of 2600 triplets, or lack this expanded repeat through CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing. We found that the temporal expression levels of MBNL1, MBNL2 and MBNL3 RNAs are not influenced by presence of the (CTG)2600 repeat during myogenesis in vitro. However, throughout myoblast proliferation and differentiation to myotubes a disproportionate inclusion of MBNL1 exon 5 and MBNL2 exons 5 and 8 occurs in cells with the (CTG)2600 repeat. As a consequence, a reduced quantity and imbalanced collection of splice variants of MBNL1 and MBNL2 accumulates in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus of DM1 myoblasts and myotubes. We thus propose that both the quantitative and qualitative changes in the intracellular partitioning of MBNL proteins are a pivotal cause of skeletal muscle problems in DM1, starting already in muscle progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurène M. André
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Remco T. P. van Cruchten
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke Willemse
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Derick G. Wansink
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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35
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van Cruchten RTP, Wieringa B, Wansink DG. Expanded CUG repeats in DMPK transcripts adopt diverse hairpin conformations without influencing the structure of the flanking sequences. RNA 2019; 25:481-495. [PMID: 30700578 PMCID: PMC6426290 DOI: 10.1261/rna.068940.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a complex neuromuscular disorder caused by expansion of a CTG repeat in the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the DMPK gene. Mutant DMPK transcripts form aberrant structures and anomalously associate with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). As a first step toward better understanding of the involvement of abnormal DMPK mRNA folding in DM1 manifestation, we used SHAPE, DMS, CMCT, and RNase T1 structure probing in vitro for modeling of the topology of the DMPK 3'-UTR with normal and pathogenic repeat lengths of up to 197 CUG triplets. The resulting structural information was validated by disruption of base-pairing with LNA antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) and used for prediction of therapeutic AON accessibility and verification of DMPK knockdown efficacy in cells. Our model for DMPK RNA structure demonstrates that the hairpin formed by the CUG repeat has length-dependent conformational plasticity, with a structure that is guided by and embedded in an otherwise rigid architecture of flanking regions in the DMPK 3'-UTR. Evidence is provided that long CUG repeats may form not only single asymmetrical hairpins but also exist as branched structures. These newly identified structures have implications for DM1 pathogenic mechanisms, like sequestration of RBPs and repeat-associated non-AUG (RAN) translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remco T P van Cruchten
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Bé Wieringa
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Derick G Wansink
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
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36
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Dastidar S, Ardui S, Singh K, Majumdar D, Nair N, Fu Y, Reyon D, Samara E, Gerli MF, Klein AF, De Schrijver W, Tipanee J, Seneca S, Tulalamba W, Wang H, Chai Y, In’t Veld P, Furling D, Tedesco F, Vermeesch JR, Joung JK, Chuah MK, VandenDriessche T. Efficient CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of trinucleotide repeat expansion in myotonic dystrophy patient-derived iPS and myogenic cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2018; 46:8275-8298. [PMID: 29947794 PMCID: PMC6144820 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gky548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [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: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR/Cas9 is an attractive platform to potentially correct dominant genetic diseases by gene editing with unprecedented precision. In the current proof-of-principle study, we explored the use of CRISPR/Cas9 for gene-editing in myotonic dystrophy type-1 (DM1), an autosomal-dominant muscle disorder, by excising the CTG-repeat expansion in the 3'-untranslated-region (UTR) of the human myotonic dystrophy protein kinase (DMPK) gene in DM1 patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (DM1-iPSC), DM1-iPSC-derived myogenic cells and DM1 patient-specific myoblasts. To eliminate the pathogenic gain-of-function mutant DMPK transcript, we designed a dual guide RNA based strategy that excises the CTG-repeat expansion with high efficiency, as confirmed by Southern blot and single molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing. Correction efficiencies up to 90% could be attained in DM1-iPSC as confirmed at the clonal level, following ribonucleoprotein (RNP) transfection of CRISPR/Cas9 components without the need for selective enrichment. Expanded CTG repeat excision resulted in the disappearance of ribonuclear foci, a quintessential cellular phenotype of DM1, in the corrected DM1-iPSC, DM1-iPSC-derived myogenic cells and DM1 myoblasts. Consequently, the normal intracellular localization of the muscleblind-like splicing regulator 1 (MBNL1) was restored, resulting in the normalization of splicing pattern of SERCA1. This study validates the use of CRISPR/Cas9 for gene editing of repeat expansions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumitava Dastidar
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Simon Ardui
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Kshitiz Singh
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Debanjana Majumdar
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Nisha Nair
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Yanfang Fu
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA02129, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Deepak Reyon
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA02129, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ermira Samara
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Mattia F M Gerli
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E6DE, UK
| | - Arnaud F Klein
- Sorbonne Universités, INSERM, Association Institute de Myologie, Center de Recherche en Myologie, F-75013 , France
| | - Wito De Schrijver
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Jaitip Tipanee
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Sara Seneca
- Research Group Reproduction and Genetics (REGE), Center for Medical Genetics, UZ Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Warut Tulalamba
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Yoke Chin Chai
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Peter In’t Veld
- Department of Pathology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
| | - Denis Furling
- Sorbonne Universités, INSERM, Association Institute de Myologie, Center de Recherche en Myologie, F-75013 , France
| | | | - Joris R Vermeesch
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - J Keith Joung
- Molecular Pathology Unit, Center for Cancer Research and Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA02129, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marinee K Chuah
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
- Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Thierry VandenDriessche
- Department of Gene Therapy & Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels 1090, Belgium
- Center for Molecular & Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
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Abstract
This chapter summarises research investigating the expression of huntingtin sense and anti-sense transcripts, the effect of the mutation on huntingtin processing as well as the more global effect of the mutation on the coding and non-coding transcriptomes. The huntingtin gene is ubiquitously expressed, although expression levels vary between tissues and cell types. A SNP that affects NF-ĸB binding in the huntingtin promoter modulates the expression level of huntingtin transcripts and is associated with the age of disease onset. Incomplete splicing between exon 1 and exon 2 has been shown to result in the expression of a small polyadenylated mRNA that encodes the highly pathogenic exon 1 huntingtin protein. This occurs in a CAG-repeat length dependent manner in all full-length mouse models of HD as well as HD patient post-mortem brains and fibroblasts. An antisense transcript to huntingtin is generated that contains a CUG repeat that is expanded in HD patients. In myotonic dystrophy, expanded CUG repeats form RNA foci in cell nuclei that bind specific proteins (e.g. MBL1). Short, pure CAG RNAs of approximately 21 nucleotides that have been processed by DICER can inhibit the translation of other CAG repeat containing mRNAs. The HD mutation affects the transcriptome at the level of mRNA expression, splicing and the expression of non-coding RNAs. Finally, expanded repetitive stretched of nucleotides can lead to RAN translation, in which the ribosome translates from the expanded repeat in all possible reading frames, producing proteins with various poly-amino acid tracts. The extent to which these events contribute to HD pathogenesis is largely unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Neueder
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Gillian P Bates
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
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38
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Sellier C, Cerro-Herreros E, Blatter M, Freyermuth F, Gaucherot A, Ruffenach F, Sarkar P, Puymirat J, Udd B, Day JW, Meola G, Bassez G, Fujimura H, Takahashi MP, Schoser B, Furling D, Artero R, Allain FHT, Llamusi B, Charlet-Berguerand N. rbFOX1/MBNL1 competition for CCUG RNA repeats binding contributes to myotonic dystrophy type 1/type 2 differences. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2009. [PMID: 29789616 PMCID: PMC5964235 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04370-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [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: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 and type 2 (DM1, DM2) are caused by expansions of CTG and CCTG repeats, respectively. RNAs containing expanded CUG or CCUG repeats interfere with the metabolism of other RNAs through titration of the Muscleblind-like (MBNL) RNA binding proteins. DM2 follows a more favorable clinical course than DM1, suggesting that specific modifiers may modulate DM severity. Here, we report that the rbFOX1 RNA binding protein binds to expanded CCUG RNA repeats, but not to expanded CUG RNA repeats. Interestingly, rbFOX1 competes with MBNL1 for binding to CCUG expanded repeats and overexpression of rbFOX1 partly releases MBNL1 from sequestration within CCUG RNA foci in DM2 muscle cells. Furthermore, expression of rbFOX1 corrects alternative splicing alterations and rescues muscle atrophy, climbing and flying defects caused by expression of expanded CCUG repeats in a Drosophila model of DM2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal Sellier
- IGBMC, INSERM U964, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
| | - Estefanía Cerro-Herreros
- Translational Genomics Group, Interdisciplinary Research Structure for Biotechnology and Biomedicine BIOTECMED, University of Valencia, 46010, Valencia, Spain
- INCLIVA Health Research Institute, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Markus Blatter
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fernande Freyermuth
- IGBMC, INSERM U964, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
| | - Angeline Gaucherot
- IGBMC, INSERM U964, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
| | - Frank Ruffenach
- IGBMC, INSERM U964, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France
| | - Partha Sarkar
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Jack Puymirat
- Human Genetics Research Unit, Laval University, CHUQ, Ste-Foy, Quebec, QC G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Bjarne Udd
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Tampere University Hospital, 33521, Tampere, Finland
- Department of Medical Genetics, Folkhälsan Institute of Genetics, Helsinki University, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Neurology, Vasa Central Hospital, 65130, Vaasa, Finland
| | - John W Day
- Department of Neurology, Stanford University, San Francisco, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Giovanni Meola
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, 20097, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, 20097, Milan, Italy
| | - Guillaume Bassez
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Association Institut de Myologie, Center of Research in Myology, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Harutoshi Fujimura
- Department of Neurology, Toneyama National Hospital, Toyonaka, 560-0045, Japan
| | - Masanori P Takahashi
- Department of Neurology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Benedikt Schoser
- Friedrich-Baur-Institute, Department of Neurology, Ludwig Maximilian University, 80539, Munich, Germany
| | - Denis Furling
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, Association Institut de Myologie, Center of Research in Myology, 75013, Paris, France
| | - Ruben Artero
- Translational Genomics Group, Interdisciplinary Research Structure for Biotechnology and Biomedicine BIOTECMED, University of Valencia, 46010, Valencia, Spain
- INCLIVA Health Research Institute, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Frédéric H T Allain
- Institute for Molecular Biology and Biophysics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beatriz Llamusi
- Translational Genomics Group, Interdisciplinary Research Structure for Biotechnology and Biomedicine BIOTECMED, University of Valencia, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
- INCLIVA Health Research Institute, 46010, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Nicolas Charlet-Berguerand
- IGBMC, INSERM U964, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France.
- UMR7104, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 67404, Illkirch, France.
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U964, 67404, Illkirch, France.
- Université de Strasbourg, 67404, Illkirch, France.
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Pinto BS, Saxena T, Oliveira R, Méndez-Gómez HR, Cleary JD, Denes LT, McConnell O, Arboleda J, Xia G, Swanson MS, Wang ET. Impeding Transcription of Expanded Microsatellite Repeats by Deactivated Cas9. Mol Cell 2017; 68:479-490.e5. [PMID: 29056323 PMCID: PMC6013302 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2017.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transcription of expanded microsatellite repeats is associated with multiple human diseases, including myotonic dystrophy, Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, and C9orf72-ALS/FTD. Reducing production of RNA and proteins arising from these expanded loci holds therapeutic benefit. Here, we tested the hypothesis that deactivated Cas9 enzyme impedes transcription across expanded microsatellites. We observed a repeat length-, PAM-, and strand-dependent reduction of repeat-containing RNAs upon targeting dCas9 directly to repeat sequences; targeting the non-template strand was more effective. Aberrant splicing patterns were rescued in DM1 cells, and production of RAN peptides characteristic of DM1, DM2, and C9orf72-ALS/FTD cells was drastically decreased. Systemic delivery of dCas9/gRNA by adeno-associated virus led to reductions in pathological RNA foci, rescue of chloride channel 1 protein expression, and decreased myotonia. These observations suggest that transcription of microsatellite repeat-containing RNAs is more sensitive to perturbation than transcription of other RNAs, indicating potentially viable strategies for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda S Pinto
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Center for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Tanvi Saxena
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Center for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Ruan Oliveira
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Center for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Héctor R Méndez-Gómez
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - John D Cleary
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Center for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Lance T Denes
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Center for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Ona McConnell
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Center for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Juan Arboleda
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Center for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Guangbin Xia
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Center for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Maurice S Swanson
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Center for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Eric T Wang
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Center for NeuroGenetics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
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40
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Chen JL, VanEtten DM, Fountain MA, Yildirim I, Disney MD. Structure and Dynamics of RNA Repeat Expansions That Cause Huntington's Disease and Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. Biochemistry 2017; 56:3463-3474. [PMID: 28617590 PMCID: PMC5810133 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.7b00252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RNA repeat expansions cause a host of incurable, genetically defined diseases. The most common class of RNA repeats consists of trinucleotide repeats. These long, repeating transcripts fold into hairpins containing 1 × 1 internal loops that can mediate disease via a variety of mechanism(s) in which RNA is the central player. Two of these disorders are Huntington's disease and myotonic dystrophy type 1, which are caused by r(CAG) and r(CUG) repeats, respectively. We report the structures of two RNA constructs containing three copies of a r(CAG) [r(3×CAG)] or r(CUG) [r(3×CUG)] motif that were modeled with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and simulated annealing with restrained molecular dynamics. The 1 × 1 internal loops of r(3×CAG) are stabilized by one-hydrogen bond (cis Watson-Crick/Watson-Crick) AA pairs, while those of r(3×CUG) prefer one- or two-hydrogen bond (cis Watson-Crick/Watson-Crick) UU pairs. Assigned chemical shifts for the residues depended on the identity of neighbors or next nearest neighbors. Additional insights into the dynamics of these RNA constructs were gained by molecular dynamics simulations and a discrete path sampling method. Results indicate that the global structures of the RNA are A-form and that the loop regions are dynamic. The results will be useful for understanding the dynamic trajectory of these RNA repeats but also may aid in the development of therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan L. Chen
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Damian M. VanEtten
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, State University of New York at Fredonia, Fredonia, New York 14063, United States
| | - Matthew A. Fountain
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, State University of New York at Fredonia, Fredonia, New York 14063, United States
| | - Ilyas Yildirim
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
| | - Matthew D. Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida 33458, United States
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González ÀL, Konieczny P, Llamusi B, Delgado-Pinar E, Borrell JI, Teixidó J, García-España E, Pérez-Alonso M, Estrada-Tejedor R, Artero R. In silico discovery of substituted pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines and pentamidine-like compounds with biological activity in myotonic dystrophy models. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0178931. [PMID: 28582438 PMCID: PMC5459475 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a rare multisystemic disorder associated with an expansion of CUG repeats in mutant DMPK (dystrophia myotonica protein kinase) transcripts; the main effect of these expansions is the induction of pre-mRNA splicing defects by sequestering muscleblind-like family proteins (e.g. MBNL1). Disruption of the CUG repeats and the MBNL1 protein complex has been established as the best therapeutic approach for DM1, hence two main strategies have been proposed: targeted degradation of mutant DMPK transcripts and the development of CUG-binding molecules that prevent MBNL1 sequestration. Herein, suitable CUG-binding small molecules were selected using in silico approaches such as scaffold analysis, similarity searching, and druggability analysis. We used polarization assays to confirm the CUG repeat binding in vitro for a number of candidate compounds, and went on to evaluate the biological activity of the two with the strongest affinity for CUG repeats (which we refer to as compounds 1–2 and 2–5) in DM1 mutant cells and Drosophila DM1 models with an impaired locomotion phenotype. In particular, 1–2 and 2–5 enhanced the levels of free MBNL1 in patient-derived myoblasts in vitro and greatly improved DM1 fly locomotion in climbing assays. This work provides new computational approaches for rational large-scale virtual screens of molecules that selectively recognize CUG structures. Moreover, it contributes valuable knowledge regarding two compounds with desirable biological activity in DM1 models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Àlex L. González
- Grup d’Enginyeria Molecular (GEM), Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS)–Universitat Ramon Llull (URL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Piotr Konieczny
- Translational Genomics Group, Incliva Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Genetics and Interdisciplinary Research Structure for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (ERI BIOTECMED), University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Incliva-CIPF joint unit, Valencia, Spain
| | - Beatriz Llamusi
- Translational Genomics Group, Incliva Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Genetics and Interdisciplinary Research Structure for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (ERI BIOTECMED), University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Incliva-CIPF joint unit, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - José I. Borrell
- Grup d’Enginyeria Molecular (GEM), Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS)–Universitat Ramon Llull (URL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jordi Teixidó
- Grup d’Enginyeria Molecular (GEM), Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS)–Universitat Ramon Llull (URL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - Manuel Pérez-Alonso
- Translational Genomics Group, Incliva Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Genetics and Interdisciplinary Research Structure for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (ERI BIOTECMED), University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Incliva-CIPF joint unit, Valencia, Spain
| | - Roger Estrada-Tejedor
- Grup d’Enginyeria Molecular (GEM), Institut Químic de Sarrià (IQS)–Universitat Ramon Llull (URL), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Rubén Artero
- Translational Genomics Group, Incliva Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Genetics and Interdisciplinary Research Structure for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (ERI BIOTECMED), University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Incliva-CIPF joint unit, Valencia, Spain
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42
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Chou CC, Chang PC, Wei YC, Lee KY. Optical Mapping Approaches on Muscleblind-Like Compound Knockout Mice for Understanding Mechanistic Insights Into Ventricular Arrhythmias in Myotonic Dystrophy. J Am Heart Assoc 2017; 6:JAHA.116.005191. [PMID: 28416514 PMCID: PMC5533016 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.116.005191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Cardiac arrhythmias are common causes of death in patients with myotonic dystrophy (dystrophia myotonica [DM]). Evidence shows that atrial tachyarrhythmia is an independent risk factor for sudden death; however, the relationship is unclear. Methods and Results Control wild‐type (Mbnl1+/+; Mbnl2+/+) and DM mutant (Mbnl1−/−; Mbnl2+/−) mice were generated by crossing double heterozygous knockout (Mbnl1+/−; Mbnl2+/−) mice. In vivo electrophysiological study and optical mapping technique were performed to investigate mechanisms of ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Transmission electron microscopy scanning was performed for myocardium ultrastructural analysis. DM mutant mice were more vulnerable to anesthesia medications and program electrical pacing: 2 of 12 mice had sudden apnea and cardiac arrest during premedication of general anesthesia; 9 of the remaining 10 had atrial tachycardia and/or atrioventricular block, but none of the wild‐type mice had spontaneous arrhythmias; and 9 of 10 mice had pacing‐induced ventricular tachyarrhythmias, but only 1 of 14 of the wild‐type mice. Optical mapping studies revealed prolonged action potential duration, slower conduction velocity, and steeper conduction velocity restitution curves in the DM mutant mice than in the wild‐type group. Spatially discordant alternans was more easily inducible in DM mutant than wild‐type mice. Transmission electron microscopy showed disarranged myofibrils with enlarged vacuole‐occupying mitochondria in the DM mutant group. Conclusions This DM mutant mouse model presented with clinical myofibril ultrastructural abnormality and cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial tachyarrhythmias, atrioventricular block, and ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Optical mapping studies revealed prolonged action potential duration and slow conduction velocity in the DM mice, leading to vulnerability of spatially discordant alternans and ventricular arrhythmia induction to pacing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung-Chuan Chou
- Department of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Po-Cheng Chang
- Department of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chia Wei
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Kuang-Yung Lee
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Yadava RS, Foff EP, Yu Q, Gladman JT, Zheng TS, Mahadevan MS. TWEAK Regulates Muscle Functions in a Mouse Model of RNA Toxicity. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150192. [PMID: 26901467 PMCID: PMC4762946 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 07/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults, is caused by toxic RNAs produced from the mutant DM protein kinase (DMPK) gene. DM1 is characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness. Therapeutic strategies have mainly focused on targeting the toxic RNA. Previously, we found that fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14), the receptor for TWEAK, is induced in skeletal muscles and hearts of mouse models of RNA toxicity and that blocking TWEAK/Fn14 signaling improves muscle function and histology. Here, we studied the effect of Tweak deficiency in a RNA toxicity mouse model. The genetic deletion of Tweak in these mice significantly reduced muscle damage and improved muscle function. In contrast, administration of TWEAK in the RNA toxicity mice impaired functional outcomes and worsened muscle histopathology. These studies show that signaling via TWEAK is deleterious to muscle in RNA toxicity and support the demonstrated utility of anti-TWEAK therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh S. Yadava
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Erin P. Foff
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Qing Yu
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Jordan T. Gladman
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
| | - Timothy S. Zheng
- Department of Immunology, Biogen Idec, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Mani S. Mahadevan
- Department of Pathology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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44
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Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by an unstable expanded CTG repeat located within the DMPK gene 3’UTR. The nature, severity and age at onset of DM1 symptoms are very variable in patients. Different forms of the disease are described, among which the congenital form (CDM) is the most severe. Molecular mechanisms of DM1 are well characterized for the adult form and involve accumulation of mutant DMPK RNA forming foci in the nucleus. These RNA foci sequester proteins from the MBNL family and deregulate CELF proteins. These proteins are involved in many cellular mechanisms such as alternative splicing, transcriptional, translational and post-translational regulation miRNA regulation as well as mRNA polyadenylation and localization. All these mechanisms can be impaired in DM1 because of the deregulation of CELF and MBNL functions. The mechanisms involved in CDM are not clearly described. In order to get insight into the mechanisms underlying CDM, we investigated if expanded RNA nuclear foci, one of the molecular hallmarks of DM1, could be detected in human DM1 fetal tissues, as well as in embryonic and neonatal tissues from transgenic mice carrying the human DMPK gene with an expanded CTG repeat. We observed very abundant RNA foci formed by sense DMPK RNA and, to a lesser extent, antisense DMPK RNA foci. Sense DMPK RNA foci clearly co-localized with MBNL1 and MBNL2 proteins. In addition, we studied DMPK sense and antisense expression during development in the transgenic mice. We found that DMPK sense and antisense transcripts are expressed from embryonic and fetal stages in heart, muscle and brain and are regulated during development. These results suggest that mechanisms underlying DM1 and CDM involved common players including toxic expanded RNA forming numerous nuclear foci at early stages during development.
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MESH Headings
- Alternative Splicing
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Brain/metabolism
- Brain/pathology
- CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-delta/genetics
- CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-delta/metabolism
- Cell Nucleus/genetics
- Cell Nucleus/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Embryo, Mammalian
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Myocardium/metabolism
- Myocardium/pathology
- Myotonic Dystrophy/genetics
- Myotonic Dystrophy/metabolism
- Myotonic Dystrophy/pathology
- Myotonin-Protein Kinase/genetics
- Myotonin-Protein Kinase/metabolism
- RNA, Antisense/genetics
- RNA, Antisense/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Michel
- Inserm UMR 1163, Paris, France
- Paris Descartes—Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Aline Huguet-Lachon
- Inserm UMR 1163, Paris, France
- Paris Descartes—Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Geneviève Gourdon
- Inserm UMR 1163, Paris, France
- Paris Descartes—Sorbonne Paris Cité University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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Goodwin M, Mohan A, Batra R, Lee KY, Charizanis K, Fernández Gómez FJ, Eddarkaoui S, Sergeant N, Buée L, Kimura T, Clark HB, Dalton J, Takamura K, Weyn-Vanhentenryck SM, Zhang C, Reid T, Ranum LPW, Day JW, Swanson MS. MBNL Sequestration by Toxic RNAs and RNA Misprocessing in the Myotonic Dystrophy Brain. Cell Rep 2015; 12:1159-68. [PMID: 26257173 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.07.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Revised: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
For some neurological disorders, disease is primarily RNA mediated due to expression of non-coding microsatellite expansion RNAs (RNA(exp)). Toxicity is thought to result from enhanced binding of proteins to these expansions and depletion from their normal cellular targets. However, experimental evidence for this sequestration model is lacking. Here, we use HITS-CLIP and pre-mRNA processing analysis of human control versus myotonic dystrophy (DM) brains to provide compelling evidence for this RNA toxicity model. MBNL2 binds directly to DM repeat expansions in the brain, resulting in depletion from its normal RNA targets with downstream effects on alternative splicing and polyadenylation. Similar RNA processing defects were detected in Mbnl compound-knockout mice, highlighted by dysregulation of Mapt splicing and fetal tau isoform expression in adults. These results demonstrate that MBNL proteins are directly sequestered by RNA(exp) in the DM brain and introduce a powerful experimental tool to evaluate RNA-mediated toxicity in other expansion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Goodwin
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Apoorva Mohan
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Ranjan Batra
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Kuang-Yung Lee
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung 20401, Taiwan
| | - Konstantinos Charizanis
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Center for NeuroGenetics and the Genetics Institute, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; InSiliGen LLC, Gainesville, FL 32606, USA
| | - Francisco José Fernández Gómez
- Inserm UMR S1172, Alzheimer and Tauopathies, Université Lille Nord de France, Centre Jean-Pierre Aubert, 1 Place Verdun, 59045 Lille, France
| | - Sabiha Eddarkaoui
- Inserm UMR S1172, Alzheimer and Tauopathies, Université Lille Nord de France, Centre Jean-Pierre Aubert, 1 Place Verdun, 59045 Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Sergeant
- Inserm UMR S1172, Alzheimer and Tauopathies, Université Lille Nord de France, Centre Jean-Pierre Aubert, 1 Place Verdun, 59045 Lille, France
| | - Luc Buée
- Inserm UMR S1172, Alzheimer and Tauopathies, Université Lille Nord de France, Centre Jean-Pierre Aubert, 1 Place Verdun, 59045 Lille, France
| | - Takashi Kimura
- Division of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo 663-8501, Japan
| | - H Brent Clark
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Joline Dalton
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kenji Takamura
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Sebastien M Weyn-Vanhentenryck
- Department of Systems Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Chaolin Zhang
- Department of Systems Biology, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Tammy Reid
- 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, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - John W Day
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94305, 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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Abstract
RNAs adopt diverse folded structures that are essential for function and thus play critical roles in cellular biology. A striking example of this is the ribosome, a complex, three-dimensionally folded macromolecular machine that orchestrates protein synthesis. Advances in RNA biochemistry, structural and molecular biology, and bioinformatics have revealed other non-coding RNAs whose functions are dictated by their structure. It is not surprising that aberrantly folded RNA structures contribute to disease. In this Review, we provide a brief introduction into RNA structural biology and then describe how RNA structures function in cells and cause or contribute to neurological disease. Finally, we highlight successful applications of rational design principles to provide chemical probes and lead compounds targeting structured RNAs. Based on several examples of well-characterized RNA-driven neurological disorders, we demonstrate how designed small molecules can facilitate the study of RNA dysfunction, elucidating previously unknown roles for RNA in disease, and provide lead therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viachaslau Bernat
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Matthew D Disney
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA.
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Plantié E, Migocka-Patrzałek M, Daczewska M, Jagla K. Model organisms in the fight against muscular dystrophy: lessons from drosophila and Zebrafish. Molecules 2015; 20:6237-53. [PMID: 25859781 PMCID: PMC6272363 DOI: 10.3390/molecules20046237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2015] [Revised: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscular dystrophies (MD) are a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders that cause muscle weakness, abnormal contractions and muscle wasting, often leading to premature death. More than 30 types of MD have been described so far; those most thoroughly studied are Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and congenital MDs. Structurally, physiologically and biochemically, MDs affect different types of muscles and cause individual symptoms such that genetic and molecular pathways underlying their pathogenesis thus remain poorly understood. To improve our knowledge of how MD-caused muscle defects arise and to find efficacious therapeutic treatments, different animal models have been generated and applied. Among these, simple non-mammalian Drosophila and zebrafish models have proved most useful. This review discusses how zebrafish and Drosophila MD have helped to identify genetic determinants of MDs and design innovative therapeutic strategies with a special focus on DMD, DM1 and congenital MDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Plantié
- GReD (Genetics, Reproduction and Development laboratory), INSERM U1103, CNRS UMR6293, University of Clermont-Ferrand, 28 place Henri-Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; E-Mail:
| | - Marta Migocka-Patrzałek
- Department of Animal Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, University of Wroclaw, 21 Sienkiewicza Street, 50-335 Wroclaw, Poland; E-Mails: (M.M.-P.); (M.D.)
| | - Małgorzata Daczewska
- Department of Animal Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, University of Wroclaw, 21 Sienkiewicza Street, 50-335 Wroclaw, Poland; E-Mails: (M.M.-P.); (M.D.)
| | - Krzysztof Jagla
- GReD (Genetics, Reproduction and Development laboratory), INSERM U1103, CNRS UMR6293, University of Clermont-Ferrand, 28 place Henri-Dunant, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; E-Mail:
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González-Barriga A, Kranzen J, Croes HJE, Bijl S, van den Broek WJAA, van Kessel IDG, van Engelen BGM, van Deutekom JCT, Wieringa B, Mulders SAM, Wansink DG. Cell membrane integrity in myotonic dystrophy type 1: implications for therapy. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121556. [PMID: 25799359 PMCID: PMC4370802 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 02/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic disease caused by toxic RNA from a DMPK gene carrying an expanded (CTG•CAG)n repeat. Promising strategies for treatment of DM1 patients are currently being tested. These include antisense oligonucleotides and drugs for elimination of expanded RNA or prevention of aberrant binding to RNP proteins. A significant hurdle for preclinical development along these lines is efficient systemic delivery of compounds across endothelial and target cell membranes. It has been reported that DM1 patients show elevated levels of markers of muscle damage or loss of sarcolemmal integrity in their serum and that splicing of dystrophin, an essential protein for muscle membrane structure, is abnormal. Therefore, we studied cell membrane integrity in DM1 mouse models commonly used for preclinical testing. We found that membranes in skeletal muscle, heart and brain were impermeable to Evans Blue Dye. Creatine kinase levels in serum were similar to those in wild type mice and expression of dystrophin protein was unaffected. Also in patient muscle biopsies cell surface expression of dystrophin was normal and calcium-positive fibers, indicating elevated intracellular calcium levels, were only rarely seen. Combined, our findings indicate that cells in DM1 tissues do not display compromised membrane integrity. Hence, the cell membrane is a barrier that must be overcome in future work towards effective drug delivery in DM1 therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anchel González-Barriga
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Prosensa Therapeutics B.V., Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Julia Kranzen
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Huib J. E. Croes
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne Bijl
- Prosensa Therapeutics B.V., Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Walther J. A. A. van den Broek
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ingeborg D. G. van Kessel
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Baziel G. M. van Engelen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Bé Wieringa
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Susan A. M. Mulders
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Prosensa Therapeutics B.V., Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Derick G. Wansink
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy (dystrophia myotonica, DM) is one of the most common lethal monogenic disorders in populations of European descent. DM type 1 was first described over a century ago. More recently, a second form of the disease, DM type 2 was recognized, which results from repeat expansion in a different gene. Both disorders have autosomal dominant inheritance and multisystem features, including myotonic myopathy, cataract, and cardiac conduction disease. This article reviews the clinical presentation and pathophysiology of DM and discusses current management and future potential for developing targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles A Thornton
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neural Development and Disease, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Box 645, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
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Meola G, Cardani R. Myotonic dystrophies: An update on clinical aspects, genetic, pathology, and molecular pathomechanisms. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2014; 1852:594-606. [PMID: 24882752 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2014.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2014] [Revised: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is the most common adult muscular dystrophy, characterized by autosomal dominant progressive myopathy, myotonia and multiorgan involvement. To date two distinct forms caused by similar mutations have been identified. Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1, Steinert's disease) is caused by a (CTG)n expansion in DMPK, while myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is caused by a (CCTG)n expansion in ZNF9/CNBP. When transcribed into CUG/CCUG-containing RNA, mutant transcripts aggregate as nuclear foci that sequester RNA-binding proteins, resulting in spliceopathy of downstream effector genes. However, it is now clear that additional pathogenic mechanism like changes in gene expression, protein translation and micro-RNA metabolism may also contribute to disease pathology. Despite clinical and genetic similarities, DM1 and DM2 are distinct disorders requiring different diagnostic and management strategies. This review is an update on the recent advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind myotonic dystrophies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Neuromuscular Diseases: Pathology and Molecular Pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Meola
- Department of Neurology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, University of Milan, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy; Laboratory of Muscle Histopathology and Molecular Biology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy.
| | - Rosanna Cardani
- Laboratory of Muscle Histopathology and Molecular Biology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy.
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