RpA1 ameliorates symptoms of mutant ataxin-1 knock-in mice and enhances DNA damage repair

Hum Mol Genet. 2016 Oct 15;25(20):4432-4447. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddw272.

Abstract

DNA damage and repair is a critical domain of many neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we focused on RpA1, a candidate key molecule in polyQ disease pathologies, and tested the therapeutic effect of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector expressing RpA1 on mutant Ataxin-1 knock-in (Atxn1-KI) mice. We found significant effects on motor functions, normalized DNA damage markers (γH2AX and 53BP1), and improved Purkinje cell morphology; effects that lasted for 50 weeks following AAV-RpA1 infection. In addition, we confirmed that AAV-RpA1 indirectly recovered multiple cellular functions such as RNA splicing, transcription and cell cycle as well as abnormal morphology of dendrite and dendritic spine of Purkinje cells in Atxn1-KI mice. All these results suggested a possibility of gene therapy with RpA1 for SCA1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ataxin-1 / genetics*
  • Cell Cycle
  • DNA / metabolism
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA Repair*
  • Dependovirus
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Knock-In Techniques
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Mice
  • Mutation*
  • Purkinje Cells / metabolism
  • Purkinje Cells / pathology
  • Purkinje Cells / physiology
  • RNA / metabolism
  • RNA Splicing
  • Replication Protein A / metabolism*
  • Spinocerebellar Ataxias / genetics
  • Spinocerebellar Ataxias / metabolism*
  • Spinocerebellar Ataxias / pathology
  • Spinocerebellar Ataxias / physiopathology
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Ataxin-1
  • Atxn1 protein, mouse
  • Replication Protein A
  • Rpa1 protein, mouse
  • RNA
  • DNA