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PubMed Central
Other literature type . 2022
Data sources: PubMed Central
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Human Genetics
Article . 2022 . Peer-reviewed
License: Springer Nature TDM
Data sources: Crossref
Human Genetics
Article . 2022
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Heat increases full-length SMN splicing: promise for splice-augmenting therapies for SMA

Authors: Catherine E. Dominguez; David Cunningham; Akila S. Venkataramany; Dawn S. Chandler;

Heat increases full-length SMN splicing: promise for splice-augmenting therapies for SMA

Abstract

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a debilitating neurodegenerative pediatric disease characterized by low levels of the survival motor protein (SMN). Humans have two SMN genes that produce identical SMN proteins, but they differ at a key nucleotide in exon 7 that induces differential mRNA splicing. SMN1 primarily produces full-length SMN protein, but due to the spliceosome's inability to efficiently recognize exon 7, SMN2 transcripts are often truncated. SMA occurs primarily through mutations or deletions in the SMN1 gene; therefore, current therapies use antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to target exon 7 inclusion in SMN2 mRNA and promote full-length SMN protein production. Here, we explore additional methods that can target SMN splicing and therapeutically increase full-length SMN protein. We demonstrate that in vitro heat treatment of cells increases exon 7 inclusion and relative abundance of full-length SMN2 mRNA and protein, a response that is modulated through the upregulation of the positive splicing factor TRA2 beta. We also observe that HSP90, but not HSP40 or HSP70, in the heat shock response is essential for SMN2 exon 7 splicing under hyperthermic conditions. Finally, we show that pulsatile heat treatments for one hour in vitro and in vivo are effective in increasing full-length SMN2 levels. These findings suggest that timed interval treatments could be a therapeutic alternative for SMA patients who do not respond to current ASO-based therapies or require a unique combination regimen.

Related Organizations
Keywords

Binding Sites, Hot Temperature, Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors, RNA Splicing, Nerve Tissue Proteins, Exons, In Vitro Techniques, Oligonucleotides, Antisense, Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein, Article, Cell Line, Muscular Atrophy, Spinal, Survival of Motor Neuron 2 Protein, Disease Models, Animal, Mice, MCF-7 Cells, Animals, Humans, RNA, Messenger, Heat-Shock Response

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    popularity
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citations
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
3
Top 10%
Average
Average