Myotonic dystrophy (DM1), the most common muscular dystrophy in adults, is caused by an expanded (CTG)n tract in the 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) of the DM protein kinase (DMPK) gene resulting in nuclear entrapment of the """"""""toxic"""""""" mutant RNA and interacting RNA-binding proteins (e.g. MBNL1) in ribonuclear inclusions. To address this, we generated transgenic mice expressing the DMPK 3'UTR as part of an inducible RNA transcript encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) (ref). Surprisingly, we found that mice overexpressing a normal DMPK 3'UTR mRNA reproduced cardinal features of DM including myotonia, cardiac conduction abnormalities, DM histopathology and RNA splicing defects in the absence of detectable nuclear inclusions. Importantly, these effects were reversible in both mature skeletal and cardiac muscles by silencing transgene expression. These results represented the first in vivo proof of principle for a therapeutic strategy to treat DM through ablation of the toxic RNA or silencing its expression. Using this model, we have started to study the cardiac conduction defects. We have now found evidence for an unanticipated mechanism for key aspects of DM1. Transgene expression resulted in cardiac conduction defects exactly like those in DM, aberrant expression of the cardiac transcription factor Nkx2.5, and profound disturbances in connexin 40 (Cx40) and connexin 43 (Cx43), proteins that are targets of Nkx2.5 and crucial for normal cardiac conduction. In skeletal muscle, over-expression of the DMPK 3'UTR mRNA also unexpectedly induced transcriptional activation of Nkx2.5, normally a cardiac transcription factor postnatally. Our results suggest that expression of the DMPK 3'UTR mRNA induces Nkx2.5 transcription, by as yet unknown mechanisms. To study this further, the aims of this proposal are to understand the role of Nkx2.5 in modulating the DM1 phenotype, to create a transgenic mouse model of Nkx2.5 expression and to attempt to understand how the DMPK 3'UTR mRNA transcriptionally activates the Nkx2.5 gene. Myotonic dystrophy is the most common muscular dystrophy in adults. It is thought to be caused by a toxic RNA. We have developed a mouse model of RNA toxicity and hope that with these studies we may be able to understand how this toxic RNA causes DM, so that we can contemplate strategies for new therapies.

Public Health Relevance

Myotonic dystrophy is the most common muscular dystrophy in adults. It is thought to be caused by a toxic RNA. We have developed a mouse model of RNA toxicity and hope that with these studies we may be able to understand how this toxic RNA causes DM, so that we can contemplate strategies for new therapies.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AR045992-09
Application #
8050588
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MOSS-H (04))
Program Officer
Nuckolls, Glen H
Project Start
1999-04-09
Project End
2014-03-31
Budget Start
2011-04-01
Budget End
2012-03-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$323,968
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Virginia
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
065391526
City
Charlottesville
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
22904
Kim, Yun K; Yadava, Ramesh S; Mandal, Mahua et al. (2016) Disease Phenotypes in a Mouse Model of RNA Toxicity Are Independent of Protein Kinase C? and Protein Kinase C?. PLoS One 11:e0163325
Yadava, Ramesh S; Foff, Erin P; Yu, Qing et al. (2016) TWEAK Regulates Muscle Functions in a Mouse Model of RNA Toxicity. PLoS One 11:e0150192
Gladman, Jordan T; Yadava, Ramesh S; Mandal, Mahua et al. (2015) NKX2-5, a modifier of skeletal muscle pathology due to RNA toxicity. Hum Mol Genet 24:251-64
Yadava, Ramesh S; Foff, Erin P; Yu, Qing et al. (2015) TWEAK/Fn14, a pathway and novel therapeutic target in myotonic dystrophy. Hum Mol Genet 24:2035-48
Kim, Yun Kyoung; Mandal, Mahua; Yadava, Ramesh S et al. (2014) Evaluating the effects of CELF1 deficiency in a mouse model of RNA toxicity. Hum Mol Genet 23:293-302
Gladman, Jordan T; Mandal, Mahua; Srinivasan, Varadamurthy et al. (2013) Age of onset of RNA toxicity influences phenotypic severity: evidence from an inducible mouse model of myotonic dystrophy (DM1). PLoS One 8:e72907
Mahadevan, Mani S (2012) Myotonic dystrophy: is a narrow focus obscuring the rest of the field? Curr Opin Neurol 25:609-13
Ravel-Chapuis, Aymeric; BĂ©langer, Guy; Yadava, Ramesh S et al. (2012) The RNA-binding protein Staufen1 is increased in DM1 skeletal muscle and promotes alternative pre-mRNA splicing. J Cell Biol 196:699-712
Foff, Erin Pennock; Mahadevan, Mani S (2011) Therapeutics development in myotonic dystrophy type 1. Muscle Nerve 44:160-9
Amack, Jeffrey D; Reagan, Shannon R; Mahadevan, Mani S (2002) Mutant DMPK 3'-UTR transcripts disrupt C2C12 myogenic differentiation by compromising MyoD. J Cell Biol 159:419-29

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