CCUG repeats reduce the rate of global protein synthesis in myotonic dystrophy type 2

Rev Neurosci. 2010;21(1):19-28. doi: 10.1515/revneuro.2010.21.1.19.

Abstract

Expansion of non-coding CTG and CCTG repeats in the 3' UTR of the myotonin protein kinase (DMPK) gene in Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and in the intron 1 of Zinc Finger Protein 9 (ZNF9) in Myotonic Dystrophy type 2 (DM2) represent typical non-coding mutations that cause the diseases mainly through transdominant effect on the RNA metabolism (splicing, translation and RNA stability). The commonly recognized RNA gain-of-function mechanism of DM1 and DM2 suggests that the mutant CUG and CCUG RNAs play a critical role in myotonic dystrophies (DMs) without a significant role of DMPK and ZNF9. Recent studies have shown that the molecular pathogenesis of DM2 also involves the protein product of the ZNF9 gene. CCUG repeats reduce ZNF9 protein, a translational regulator of the terminal oligo-pyrimidine tract (TOP) mRNAs encoding proteins of translational apparatus. Thus, in DM2 cells, expansion of CCUG repeats affects not only multiple RNAs, but also down-regulates ZNF9 which in turn reduces translation of the TOP-containing mRNAs and diminishes the rate of global protein synthesis. In this review, we discuss the role of expansion of CCUG repeats in the reduction of ZNF9-mediated regulation of the rate of protein synthesis in DM2 and the consequences of this reduction in the multi-systemic phenotype of DM2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Myotonic Dystrophy / genetics*
  • Myotonic Dystrophy / metabolism*
  • Protein Biosynthesis / physiology*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Tandem Repeat Sequences / genetics*

Substances

  • CNBP protein, human
  • RNA-Binding Proteins