Silencing mutant ATXN3 expression resolves molecular phenotypes in SCA3 transgenic mice

Mol Ther. 2013 Oct;21(10):1909-18. doi: 10.1038/mt.2013.152. Epub 2013 Jul 3.

Abstract

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the deubiquitinating enzyme, Ataxin-3. Currently, there are no effective treatments for this fatal disorder but studies support the hypothesis that reducing mutant Ataxin-3 protein levels might reverse or halt the progression of disease in SCA3. Here, we sought to modulate ATXN3 expression in vivo using RNA interference. We developed artificial microRNA mimics targeting the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of human ATXN3 and then used recombinant adeno-associated virus to deliver them to the cerebellum of transgenic mice expressing the full human disease gene (SCA3/MJD84.2 mice). Anti-ATXN3 microRNA mimics effectively suppressed human ATXN3 expression in SCA3/MJD84.2 mice. Short-term treatment cleared the abnormal nuclear accumulation of mutant Ataxin-3 throughout the transduced SCA3/MJD84.2 cerebellum. Analysis also revealed changes in the steady-state levels of specific microRNAs in the cerebellum of SCA3/MJD84.2 mice, a previously uncharacterized molecular phenotype of SCA3 that appears to be dependent on mutant Ataxin-3 expression. Our findings support the preclinical development of molecular therapies aimed at halting the expression of ATXN3 as a viable approach to SCA3 and point to microRNA deregulation as a potential surrogate marker of SCA3 pathogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Animals
  • Ataxin-3
  • Cerebellum / pathology
  • Dependovirus / drug effects
  • Dependovirus / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Gene Silencing
  • Genetic Vectors / drug effects
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Machado-Joseph Disease / genetics
  • Machado-Joseph Disease / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • MicroRNAs / adverse effects*
  • MicroRNAs / pharmacology
  • Molecular Mimicry
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Mutant Proteins / drug effects*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / drug effects*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / drug effects*
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Phenotype*
  • Repressor Proteins / drug effects*
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Transduction, Genetic / methods

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mutant Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • ATXN3 protein, human
  • Ataxin-3