Progress and challenges in RNA interference therapy for Huntington disease

Arch Neurol. 2009 Aug;66(8):933-8. doi: 10.1001/archneurol.2009.180.

Abstract

Huntington disease is an incurable, dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by polyglutamine repeat expansion in the huntingtin protein. Reducing mutant huntingtin expression may offer a treatment for Huntington disease. RNA interference has emerged as a powerful method to silence dominant disease genes. As such, it is being developed as a prospective Huntington disease therapy. Here I discuss the current progress and important remaining challenges of RNA interference therapy for Huntington disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Pairing / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Genes, Dominant / genetics
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Genetic Vectors / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Huntington Disease / genetics*
  • Huntington Disease / therapy*
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Prospective Studies
  • RNA Interference / physiology*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA-Induced Silencing Complex / genetics
  • Transfection / methods

Substances

  • HTT protein, human
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • MicroRNAs
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Induced Silencing Complex