Trans-splicing improvement by the combined application of antisense strategies

Int J Mol Sci. 2015 Jan 6;16(1):1179-91. doi: 10.3390/ijms16011179.

Abstract

Spliceosome-mediated RNA trans-splicing has become an emergent tool for the repair of mutated pre-mRNAs in the treatment of genetic diseases. RNA trans-splicing molecules (RTMs) are designed to induce a specific trans-splicing reaction via a binding domain for a respective target pre-mRNA region. A previously established reporter-based screening system allows us to analyze the impact of various factors on the RTM trans-splicing efficiency in vitro. Using this system, we are further able to investigate the potential of antisense RNAs (AS RNAs), presuming to improve the trans-splicing efficiency of a selected RTM, specific for intron 102 of COL7A1. Mutations in the COL7A1 gene underlie the dystrophic subtype of the skin blistering disease epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). We have shown that co-transfections of the RTM and a selected AS RNA, interfering with competitive splicing elements on a COL7A1-minigene (COL7A1-MG), lead to a significant increase of the RNA trans-splicing efficiency. Thereby, accurate trans-splicing between the RTM and the COL7A1-MG is represented by the restoration of full-length green fluorescent protein GFP on mRNA and protein level. This mechanism can be crucial for the improvement of an RTM-mediated correction, especially in cases where a high trans-splicing efficiency is required.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Collagen Type VII / genetics
  • Collagen Type VII / metabolism
  • Epidermolysis Bullosa / genetics
  • Epidermolysis Bullosa / pathology
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Introns
  • Mutation
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / metabolism*
  • Trans-Splicing*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Collagen Type VII
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins