Molecular Basis and Therapeutic Strategies to Rescue Factor IX Variants That Affect Splicing and Protein Function

PLoS Genet. 2016 May 26;12(5):e1006082. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006082. eCollection 2016 May.

Abstract

Mutations that result in amino acid changes can affect both pre-mRNA splicing and protein function. Understanding the combined effect is essential for correct diagnosis and for establishing the most appropriate therapeutic strategy at the molecular level. We have identified a series of disease-causing splicing mutations in coagulation factor IX (FIX) exon 5 that are completely recovered by a modified U1snRNP particle, through an SRSF2-dependent enhancement mechanism. We discovered that synonymous mutations and missense substitutions associated to a partial FIX secretion defect represent targets for this therapy as the resulting spliced-corrected proteins maintains normal FIX coagulant specific activity. Thus, splicing and protein alterations contribute to define at the molecular level the disease-causing effect of a number of exonic mutations in coagulation FIX exon 5. In addition, our results have a significant impact in the development of splicing-switching therapies in particular for mutations that affect both splicing and protein function where increasing the amount of a correctly spliced protein can circumvent the basic functional defects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / genetics*
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / pathology
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Exons / genetics
  • Factor IX / genetics*
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • RNA Precursors / genetics
  • RNA Splice Sites / genetics
  • RNA Splicing / genetics*
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / genetics
  • Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors / genetics
  • Transfection

Substances

  • RNA Precursors
  • RNA Splice Sites
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear
  • SNRNP35 protein, human
  • SRSF2 protein, human
  • Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors
  • Factor IX