scholarly journals ZPR1 prevents R-loop accumulation, upregulates SMN2 expression and rescues spinal muscular atrophy

Brain ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 143 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annapoorna Kannan ◽  
Xiaoting Jiang ◽  
Lan He ◽  
Saif Ahmad ◽  
Laxman Gangwani
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Genomic Instability ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Single Point Mutation ◽  
Homozygous Mutation ◽  
Spinal Cord Neurons ◽  
Low Levels

Abstract Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder caused by homozygous mutation or deletion of the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. A second copy, SMN2, is similar to SMN1 but produces ∼10% SMN protein because of a single-point mutation that causes splicing defects. Chronic low levels of SMN cause accumulation of co-transcriptional R-loops and DNA damage leading to genomic instability and neurodegeneration in SMA. Severity of SMA disease correlates inversely with SMN levels. SMN2 is a promising target to produce higher levels of SMN by enhancing its expression. Mechanisms that regulate expression of SMN genes are largely unknown. We report that zinc finger protein ZPR1 binds to RNA polymerase II, interacts in vivo with SMN locus and upregulates SMN2 expression in SMA mice and patient cells. Modulation of ZPR1 levels directly correlates and influences SMN2 expression levels in SMA patient cells. ZPR1 overexpression in vivo results in a systemic increase of SMN levels and rescues severe to moderate disease in SMA mice. ZPR1-dependent rescue improves growth and motor function and increases the lifespan of male and female SMA mice. ZPR1 reduces neurodegeneration in SMA mice and prevents degeneration of cultured primary spinal cord neurons derived from SMA mice. Further, we show that the low levels of ZPR1 associated with SMA pathogenesis cause accumulation of co-transcriptional RNA-DNA hybrids (R-loops) and DNA damage leading to genomic instability in SMA mice and patient cells. Complementation with ZPR1 elevates senataxin levels, reduces R-loop accumulation and rescues DNA damage in SMA mice, motor neurons and patient cells. In conclusion, ZPR1 is critical for preventing accumulation of co-transcriptional R-loops and DNA damage to avert genomic instability and neurodegeneration in SMA. ZPR1 enhances SMN2 expression and leads to SMN-dependent rescue of SMA. ZPR1 represents a protective modifier and a therapeutic target for developing a new method for the treatment of SMA.

scholarly journals Homozygous TRPV4 mutation causes congenital distal spinal muscular atrophy and arthrogryposis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Velilla ◽  
Michael Mario Marchetti ◽  
Agnes Toth-Petroczy ◽  
Claire Grosgogeat ◽  
Alexis H Bennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Exome Sequencing ◽  
Whole Exome Sequencing ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Structural Modeling ◽  
Recessive Mutation ◽  
Homozygous Mutation ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Whole Exome

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this study is to identify the genetic cause of disease in a congenital form of congenital spinal muscular atrophy and arthrogryposis (CSMAA).MethodsA 2-year-old boy was diagnosed with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, severe skeletal abnormalities, torticollis, vocal cord paralysis and diminished lower limb movement. Whole exome sequencing was performed on the proband and family members. In silico modeling of protein structure and heterologous protein expression and cytotoxicity assays were performed to validate pathogenicity of the identified variant.ResultsWhole exome sequencing revealed a homozygous mutation in the TRPV4 gene (c.281C>T; p.S94L). The identification of a recessive mutation in TRPV4 extends the spectrum of mutations in recessive forms of the TRPV4-associated disease. p.S94L and other previously identified TRPV4 variants in different protein domains were compared in structural modeling and functional studies. In silico structural modeling suggests that the p.S94L mutation is in the disordered N-terminal region proximal to important regulatory binding sites for phosphoinositides and for PACSIN3, which could lead to alterations in trafficking and/or channel sensitivity. Functional studies by western blot and immunohistochemical analysis show that p.S94L reduces TRPV4 protein stability because of increased cytotoxicity and therefore involves a gain-of-function mechanism.ConclusionThis study identifies a novel homozygous mutation in TRPV4 as a cause of the recessive form of congenital spinal muscular atrophy and arthrogryposis.

scholarly journals Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration in Spinal Muscular Atrophy

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. JEN.S33122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saif Ahmad ◽  
Kanchan Bhatia ◽  
Annapoorna Kannan ◽  
Laxman Gangwani
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Motor Neuron ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Survival Motor Neuron ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Atrophy ◽  
Spinal Motor Neurons ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Smn Protein

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive motor neuron disease with a high incidence and is the most common genetic cause of infant mortality. SMA is primarily characterized by degeneration of the spinal motor neurons that leads to skeletal muscle atrophy followed by symmetric limb paralysis, respiratory failure, and death. In humans, mutation of the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene shifts the load of expression of SMN protein to the SMN2 gene that produces low levels of full-length SMN protein because of alternative splicing, which are sufficient for embryonic development and survival but result in SMA. The molecular mechanisms of the (a) regulation of SMN gene expression and (b) degeneration of motor neurons caused by low levels of SMN are unclear. However, some progress has been made in recent years that have provided new insights into understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of SMA pathogenesis. In this review, we have briefly summarized recent advances toward understanding of the molecular mechanisms of regulation of SMN levels and signaling mechanisms that mediate neurodegeneration in SMA.

scholarly journals Homozygous TRPV4 mutation causes congenital distal spinal muscular atrophy and arthrogryposis

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. e312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Velilla ◽  
Michael Mario Marchetti ◽  
Agnes Toth-Petroczy ◽  
Claire Grosgogeat ◽  
Alexis H. Bennett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽  
Structural Modeling ◽  
Recessive Mutation ◽  
Heterologous Protein Expression ◽  
Homozygous Mutation ◽  
Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita ◽  
Functional Studies

ObjectiveTo identify the genetic cause of disease in a form of congenital spinal muscular atrophy and arthrogryposis (CSMAA).MethodsA 2-year-old boy was diagnosed with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, severe skeletal abnormalities, torticollis, vocal cord paralysis, and diminished lower limb movement. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on the proband and family members. In silico modeling of protein structure and heterologous protein expression and cytotoxicity assays were performed to validate pathogenicity of the identified variant.ResultsWES revealed a homozygous mutation in the TRPV4 gene (c.281C>T; p.S94L). The identification of a recessive mutation in TRPV4 extends the spectrum of mutations in recessive forms of the TRPV4-associated disease. p.S94L and other previously identified TRPV4 variants in different protein domains were compared in structural modeling and functional studies. In silico structural modeling suggests that the p.S94L mutation is in the disordered N-terminal region proximal to important regulatory binding sites for phosphoinositides and for PACSIN3, which could lead to alterations in trafficking and/or channel sensitivity. Functional studies by Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis show that p.S94L increased TRPV4 activity-based cytotoxicity and resultant decreased TRPV4 expression levels, therefore involves a gain-of-function mechanism.ConclusionsThis study identifies a novel homozygous mutation in TRPV4 as a cause of the recessive form of CSMAA.

scholarly journals Chondrolectin affects cell survival and neuronal outgrowth in in vitro and in vivo models of spinal muscular atrophy

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 855-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
James N. Sleigh ◽  
Antón Barreiro-Iglesias ◽  
Peter L. Oliver ◽  
Angeliki Biba ◽  
Thomas Becker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Cell Survival ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Neuronal Outgrowth

scholarly journals Synthesis and Characterization of Pseudocantharidins, Novel Phosphatase Modulators That Promote the Inclusion of Exon 7 into the SMN (Survival of Motoneuron) pre-mRNA

2011 ◽  
Vol 286 (12) ◽  
pp. 10126-10136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaiyi Zhang ◽  
Olga Kelemen ◽  
Maria A. van Santen ◽  
Sharon M. Yelton ◽  
Alison E. Wendlandt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Central Element ◽  
Detectable Effect ◽  
Splice Site Selection ◽  
Eukaryotic Gene ◽  
Constitutive Splicing ◽  
New Compounds

Alternative pre-mRNA splicing is a central element of eukaryotic gene expression. Its deregulation can lead to disease, and methods to change splice site selection are developed as potential therapies. Spinal muscular atrophy is caused by the loss of the SMN1 (survival of motoneuron 1) gene. A therapeutic avenue for spinal muscular atrophy treatment is to promote exon 7 inclusion of the almost identical SMN2 (survival of motoneuron 2) gene. The splicing factor tra2-beta1 promotes inclusion of this exon and is antagonized by protein phosphatase (PP) 1. To identify new compounds that promote exon 7 inclusion, we synthesized analogs of cantharidin, an inhibitor of PP1, and PP2A. Three classes of compounds emerged from these studies. The first class blocks PP1 and PP2A activity, blocks constitutive splicing in vitro, and promotes exon 7 inclusion in vivo. The second class has no measurable effect on PP1 activity but activates PP2A. This class represents the first compounds described with these properties. These compounds cause a dephosphorylation of Thr-33 of tra2-beta1, which promotes exon 7 inclusion. The third class had no detectable effect on phosphatase activity and could promote exon 7 via allosteric effects. Our data show that subtle changes in similar compounds can turn a phosphatase inhibitor into an activator. These chemically related compounds influence alternative splicing by distinct mechanisms.

scholarly journals Escherichia coli induces DNA damage in vivo and triggers genomic instability in mammalian cells

2010 ◽  
Vol 107 (25) ◽  
pp. 11537-11542 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Cuevas-Ramos ◽  
C. R. Petit ◽  
I. Marcq ◽  
M. Boury ◽  
E. Oswald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Dna Damage ◽  
Genomic Instability ◽  
Mammalian Cells

scholarly journals Targeting Homologous Recombination in Lymphoid Malignancies: Evaluation of Four Small Molecule Inhibitors of RAD51

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 2080-2080
Author(s):  
Melinda Day ◽  
Tyler Maclay ◽  
Amber Cyr ◽  
Muneer G Hasham ◽  
Kin-hoe Chow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Homologous Recombination ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Genomic Instability ◽  
Small Molecule ◽  
Small Molecule Inhibitors ◽  
Burkitt’S Lymphoma ◽  
Lymphoid Malignancies ◽  
Anti Tumor Activity

Genomic instability is recognized as a driver of tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Loss of tumor suppressors or activation of oncogenes can induce DNA damage stress, promoting genomic instability and creating dependencies upon key DNA repair pathways. These dependencies can be targeted therapeutically to induce synthetic lethality. The homologous recombination (HR) repair pathway is an attractive target. HR deficient cancers are hypersensitive to numerous anticancer drugs, and tumors will often induce expression of HR genes to promote drug resistance. RAD51 is a key component of the HR pathway. RAD51 forms nucleoprotein filaments at sites of DNA damage and replication fork stalls, mediating homologous DNA strand exchange to promote recombinational repair of breaks and damaged replication forks. We utilized four small molecule inhibitors of RAD51-mediated HR for evaluation of RAD51 as a potential therapeutic target. Compounds CYT-0851, CYT-0853, CYT-1027, and CYT-1127 were evaluated for anti-cancer activity in vitro and in vivo. To determine the impact of the small molecules on RAD51 and HR, all four were tested for effects on RAD51 focus formation and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) activity. All the compounds showed a reduction in SCE activity, however only CYT-0851 and CYT-0853 produced a measurable reduction in RAD51 foci. We have previously shown that that RAD51 inhibition leads to accumulation of DNA breaks, and ultimately cell death, in cells expressing the DNA mutator protein Activation Induced Cytidine deaminase (AICDA/AID). Cytotoxicity assays were performed in an AID+ (Daudi, Burkitt's Lymphoma) and AID- (WI-38, fibroblast) cell lines. All four compounds were preferentially active in AID+ cells with little to no cytotoxicity observed in the AID-negative WI-38 cell line. CYT-0853 was the most potent in the Daudi cell line with an EC50 of 8nM. All four compounds were orally bioavailable in all preclinical species tested but showed differences in pharmacokinetics. Preclinical cell line derived xenograft models of AID-high Burkitt's lymphoma (Daudi) and B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (CCRF-SB) were used to determine the in vivo anti-tumor activity of the compounds in lymphoid cancer models. CYT-0851 and CYT-0853 both showed significant anti-tumor activity with tumor growth inhibition of greater than 50% in both models. Further analysis showed drug exposure with CYT-0851 was more consistent in the CDX models than CYT-0853. Overall, these data indicate that RAD51 and HR are attractive therapeutic targets for the treatment of lymphoid malignancies and that CYT-0851 is a viable clinical development candidate. Disclosures Day: Cyteir Therapeutics: Employment. Maclay:Cyteir Therapeutics: Employment. Cyr:Cyteir Therapeutics: Employment. Mills:Cyteir Therapeutics: Employment, Equity Ownership.

scholarly journals Functional characterizations of rare UBA1 variants in X-linked Spinal Muscular Atrophy

F1000Research ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 1636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris D. Balak ◽  
Jesse M. Hunter ◽  
Mary E. Ahearn ◽  
David Wiley ◽  
Gennaro D'urso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Diagnostic Assays ◽  
Missense Variants ◽  
Thioester Bond ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Ubiquitin Proteasome ◽  
Proteasome Pathway

Background: X-linked spinal muscular atrophy (XL-SMA) results from mutations in the Ubiquitin-Like Modifier Activating Enzyme 1 (UBA1). Previously, four novel closely clustered mutations have been shown to cause this fatal infantile disorder affecting only males. These mutations, three missense and one synonymous, all lie within Exon15 of the UBA1 gene, which contains the active adenylation domain (AAD). Methods: In this study, our group characterized the three known missense variants in vitro. Using a novel Uba1 assay and other methods, we investigated Uba1 adenylation, thioester, and transthioesterification reactions in vitro to determine possible biochemical effects of the missense variants. Results: Our data revealed that only one of the three XL-SMA missense variants impairs the Ubiquitin-adenylating ability of Uba1. Additionally, these missense variants retained Ubiquitin thioester bond formation and transthioesterification rates equal to that found in the wild type. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate a surprising shift from the likelihood of these XL-SMA mutations playing a damaging role in Uba1’s enzymatic activity with Ubiquitin, to other roles such as altering UBA1 mRNA splicing via the disruption of splicing factor binding sites, similar to a mechanism in traditional SMA, or disrupting binding to other important in vivo binding partners.  These findings help to narrow the search for the areas of possible dysfunction in the Ubiquitin-proteasome pathway that ultimately result in XL-SMA. Moreover, this investigation provides additional critical understanding of the mutations’ biochemical mechanisms, vital for the development of future effective diagnostic assays and therapeutics.

scholarly journals Negative Cooperativity between Gemin2 and RNA provides Insights into RNA Selection and the SMN Complex’s Release in snRNP Assembly

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongfei Yi ◽  
Li Mu ◽  
Congcong Shen ◽  
Xi Kong ◽  
Yingzhi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Muscular Atrophy ◽  
Basic Mechanism ◽  
Negative Cooperativity ◽  
Sm Proteins ◽  
Early Step ◽  
Smn Complex ◽  
Narrow State ◽  
Snrnp Core

ABSTRACTThe assembly of snRNP cores, in which seven Sm proteins, D1/D2/F/E/G/D3/B, form a ring around the nonameric Sm site of snRNAs, is the early step of spliceosome formation and essential to eukaryotes. It is mediated by the PMRT5 and SMN complexes sequentially in vivo. SMN deficiency causes neurodegenerative disease spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). How the SMN complex assembles snRNP cores is largely unknown, especially how the SMN complex achieves high RNA assembly specificity and how it is released. Here we show, using crystallographic and biochemical approaches, that Gemin2 of the SMN complex enhances RNA specificity of SmD1/D2/F/E/G via a negative cooperativity between Gemin2 and RNA in binding SmD1/D2/F/E/G. Gemin2, independent of its N-tail, constrains the horseshoe-shaped SmD1/D2/F/E/G from outside in a physiologically relevant, narrow state, enabling high RNA specificity. Moreover, the assembly of RNAs inside widens SmD1/D2/F/E/G, causes the release of Gemin2/SMN allosterically and allows SmD3/B to join. The assembly of SmD3/B further facilitates the release of Gemin2/SMN. This is the first to show negative cooperativity in snRNP assembly, which provides insights into RNA selection and the SMN complex’s release. These findings reveal a basic mechanism of snRNP core assembly and facilitate pathogenesis studies of SMA.

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