Archetypical mitochondrial diseases are common and devastating conditions with an extremely poor prognosis. Gene therapies have been proposed including allotopic expression of recoded mitochondrial genes from the nucleus. The extreme hydrophobicity of mitochondrial-encoded proteins remains a technical hurdle to such therapies. We propose a novel allotopic gene therapy approach where the RNA is actively transported into mitochondria for translation. We have developed vectors that express stable, transportable RNAs and will test their efficacy in vivo. Any serious investigation aimed at developing allotopic expression as a gene therapy would require a well-characterized, pathogenic, endogenous mitochondrial mutation in an amenable genetic system where feasibility can be demonstrated and optimized in vivo. We propose a rigorous test of mitochondrial RNA transport using both biochemical and phenotypic assays of function using a well-characterized model animal system.

Public Health Relevance

Mitochondrial diseases are devastating untreatable diseases that affect ~ 1 in 3-5000 humans. We propose preclinical research to develop and demonstrate efficacy of a novel RNA transport gene therapy. This approach will be developed and tested in vivo using an established invertebrate genetic model of mitochondrial disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21NS078758-01
Application #
8271020
Study Section
Therapeutic Approaches to Genetic Diseases (TAG)
Program Officer
Sutherland, Margaret L
Project Start
2012-01-15
Project End
2013-12-31
Budget Start
2012-01-15
Budget End
2012-12-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$227,250
Indirect Cost
$77,250
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
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Towheed, Atif; Markantone, Desiree M; Crain, Aaron T et al. (2014) Small mitochondrial-targeted RNAs modulate endogenous mitochondrial protein expression in vivo. Neurobiol Dis 69:15-22
Celotto, Alicia M; Liu, Zhaohui; Vandemark, Andrew P et al. (2012) A novel Drosophila SOD2 mutant demonstrates a role for mitochondrial ROS in neurodevelopment and disease. Brain Behav 2:424-34