MiR-298 Counteracts Mutant Androgen Receptor Toxicity in Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy

Mol Ther. 2016 May;24(5):937-45. doi: 10.1038/mt.2016.13. Epub 2016 Jan 12.

Abstract

Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a currently untreatable adult-onset neuromuscular disease caused by expansion of a polyglutamine repeat in the androgen receptor (AR). In SBMA, as in other polyglutamine diseases, a toxic gain of function in the mutant protein is an important factor in the disease mechanism; therefore, reducing the mutant protein holds promise as an effective treatment strategy. In this work, we evaluated a microRNA (miRNA) to reduce AR expression. From a list of predicted miRNAs that target human AR, we selected microRNA-298 (miR-298) for its ability to downregulate AR mRNA and protein levels when transfected in cells overexpressing wild-type and mutant AR and in SBMA patient-derived fibroblasts. We showed that miR-298 directly binds to the 3'-untranslated region of the human AR transcript, and counteracts AR toxicity in vitro. Intravenous delivery of miR-298 with adeno-associated virus serotype 9 vector resulted in efficient transduction of muscle and spinal cord and amelioration of the disease phenotype in SBMA mice. Our findings support the development of miRNAs as a therapeutic strategy for SBMA and other neurodegenerative disorders caused by toxic proteins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Administration, Intravenous
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Dependovirus / genetics
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Down-Regulation*
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Genetic Vectors / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Muscular Atrophy, Spinal / genetics
  • Muscular Atrophy, Spinal / therapy*
  • Receptors, Androgen / genetics*

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • AR protein, human
  • MIRN298 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Receptors, Androgen