Antisense Oligonucleotide Targeting of 3'-UTR of mRNA for Expression Knockdown

Methods in Molecular Biology
Golnoush GolshiraziLinda J Popplewell

Abstract

With the recent conditional approval of an antisense oligonucleotide (AON) that restores the reading frame of DMD transcript in a subset of Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients, it has been established that AONs sharing similar chemistry have clear clinical potential. Genetic diseases, such as facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), can be the result of gain-of-function mutations. Since mRNA processing in terms of termination of transcription, its transport from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, its stability and translation efficiency are dependent on key 3'UTR elements, it follows that targeting these elements with AONs have the potential to induce gene silencing. Aberrant expression of the Double homeobox 4 (DUX4) transcription factor and the downstream consequences of such expression is the hallmark of FSHD. Here we describe the bioinformatic strategies behind the design of AONs targeting polyadenylation signals and the methodologies relevant to their in vitro screening for efficacy and safety, including analysis of expression at the transcript and protein level of the specific target and downstream genes, and measurement of the effect on the fusion index of myotubes. The targeting of permissive DUX4 and MSTN are used as examples...Continue Reading

Citations

Jan 29, 2022·Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research : CR·Antonio C Fuentes-FayosRaúl M Luque
May 15, 2020·Molecular Therapy. Nucleic Acids·Andre LeierDeeann Wallis

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