# Patent

## Title
Antisense oligonucleotide directed removal of proteolytic cleavage sites from proteins

## Abstract

Described are means and methods for removing a proteolytic cleavage site from a protein, the method comprising providing a cell that expresses pre-mRNA encoding the protein with an anti-sense oligonucleotide that induces skipping of the exonic sequence that encodes the proteolytic cleavage site, and allowing translation of mRNA produced from the pre-mRNA.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application PCT/NL2011/050549, filed Aug. 4, 2011, designating the United States of America and published in English as International Patent Publication WO 2012/018257 A1 on Feb. 9, 2012, which claims the benefit under Article 8 of the Patent Cooperation Treaty and under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/370,855, filed Aug. 5, 2010, and to European Patent Application Serial No. 10172076.1, filed Aug. 5, 2010.
STATEMENT ACCORDING TO 37 C.F.R. §1.821(C) OR (E)—SEQUENCE LISTING SUBMITTED AS A TXT AND PDF FILES
Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §1.821(c) or (e), files containing a TXT version and a PDF version of the Sequence Listing have been submitted concomitant with this application, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.


TECHNICAL FIELD
The disclosure relates to the field of biotechnology and genetic and acquired diseases. The disclosure, in particular, relates to the alteration of mRNA processing of specific pre-mRNA to remove a proteolytic cleavage site from a protein encoded by the pre-mRNA.
BACKGROUND
Proteolytic processing is a major form of post-translational modification that occurs when a protease cleaves one or more bonds in a target protein to modify its activity. This processing may lead to activation, inhibition, alteration or destruction of the protein's activity. Many cellular processes are controlled by proteolytic processing. The attacking protease may remove a peptide segment from either end of the target protein, but it may also cleave internal bonds in the protein that lead to major changes in the structure and function of the protein.
Proteolytic processing is a highly specific process. The mechanism of proteolytic processing varies according to the protein being processed, location of the protein, and the protease.
Proteolytic processing can have various functions. For instance, proteolysis of precursor proteins regulates many cellular processes including gene expression, embryogenesis, the cell cycle, programmed cell death, intracellular protein targeting and endocrine/neural functions. In all of these processes, proteolytic cleavage of precursor proteins is necessary. The proteolysis is often done by serine proteases in the secretory pathways. These proteases are calcium-dependent serine endoproteases and are related to yeast and subtilisin proteases and, therefore, called Subtilisin-like Proprotein Convertases (SPCs) or PCs. Seven members of this family have been identified and characterized and each have conserved signal peptides, pro-regions, catalytic and P-domains but differ in their C-terminal domains in mammals.
Autocatalytic cleavage of an N-terminal propeptide activates these proteases, which is required for folding, and activity also causes the release of prodomain. Other examples of function associated with proteolytic processing are the blood clotting cascades, the metaloendopeptidases, the secretases and the caspases. Yet other examples are the viral proteases that specifically process viral polyproteins.
The art describes various strategies to inhibit the various proteases. For instance, gamma-secretase inhibitors are presently being developed for the treatment of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Nature Medicine 2009, 15:50-58). Caspase inhibitors are being developed for a variety of different applications (The Journal of Biological Chemistry 1998, 273:32608-32613), for instance, in the treatment of sepsis (Nature Immunology 2000, 1:496-501).
A problem with the use of protease inhibitors is that these proteins typically have a range of targets in the human body and, associated therewith, a range of effects. Inhibiting a protease in the human body through the action of a protease inhibitor thus, not only inhibits the desired effect, but typically also has a range of other effects that may or may not affect the utility of the protease inhibitor for the indicated disease. Another problem associated with protease inhibitors is that it is not always easy to produce an inhibitor that is sufficiently specific for the target protease and, therefore, may also inhibit other proteases.
DISCLOSURE
The disclosure provides an alternative approach to interfere with the proteolytic processing of target proteins. Instead of designing inhibitors to the proteases, the target protein itself is modified. In the art, it is known to modify a protease cleavage site in a target protein. This is typically done by introducing point mutations into the coding region of a protein. These mutations typically break up the recognition sequence of the protease. These types of modification are usually introduced into a cDNA copy of the gene and this altered copy is inserted into the DNA of cells by recombinant DNA technology. Although this can be done in the laboratory, it is difficult to implement such strategies in the clinic, if only because gene therapy applications that rely on the introduction of a complete gene are, at present, not very efficient, and the original gene associated with the problem is not removed.
The disclosure provides a method for removing a proteolytic cleavage site from a protein comprising providing a cell that expresses a pre-mRNA encoding the protein with an antisense oligonucleotide (AON) that induces skipping of the exon sequence that encodes the proteolytic cleavage site, the method further comprising allowing translation of mRNA produced from the pre-mRNA. A method hereof is particularly useful for removing proteolytic cleavage sites from proteins. It does not require removal or modification of the gene itself, but rather, prevents the incorporation of the genetic code for the proteolytic cleavage site into the coding region of the protein in the mature mRNA. In this way, the process is reversible. The oligonucleotide has a finite life span in the cell and, therefore, has a finite effect on the removal. Another advantage is that the removal is not absolute. Not all pre-mRNA coding for the target protein that is generated by the cell is typically targeted. It is possible to achieve high levels of skipping. The skipping efficiency depends, for instance, on the particular target, the particular exon sequence to be skipped, the particular AON design, and/or the amount of AON used. Skipping percentages are typically expressed as the ratio of mRNA that does not have the coding part of the proteolytic cleavage site (skipped mRNA) versus the sum of skipped mRNA and unmodified mRNA coding for the unmodified target protein (unmodified mRNA). The possibility of tailoring the percentage of skipping is advantageous; for instance, when the unmodified protein is associated with a toxic phenotype but also has a positive function to perform that is not performed (as well) by the modified protein. By removing the proteolytic cleavage site only from a fraction of the protein formed, it is possible to reduce the toxic property, while leaving the positive or desired function of the unmodified protein at least partially intact.
The invention modulates the splicing of a pre-mRNA into an mRNA, such that an exon sequence that codes for a proteolytic cleavage site that is present in the exons encoded by the pre-mRNA is not included in the mature mRNA produced from the pre-mRNA. Protein that is subsequently translated from this mRNA does not contain the proteolytic cleavage site. The invention, thus, does not actually remove a proteolytic cleavage site from a protein that has already been formed. Rather, it promotes the production of a novel protein that does not contain the proteolytic cleavage site. However, when looking at a cell as an entity wherein protein synthesis and degradation are at equilibrium, the result of a method of the invention can be seen as removing a proteolytic cleavage site from a protein. Unmodified target protein is gradually replaced by target protein that does not contain the proteolytic cleavage site. Thus, provided is a method for producing a cell that contains a modified protein that lacks a proteolytic cleavage site, when compared to the unmodified protein encoded in the genome, the method comprising providing a cell that expresses pre-mRNA encoding the protein with an AON that induces skipping of the exon sequence or part of the exon sequence that encodes the proteolytic cleavage site, the method further comprising allowing translation of mRNA produced from the pre-mRNA in the cell. The novel mRNA from which the coding sequence for the proteolytic cleavage site is removed is a shortened or smaller coding sequence that codes for a shorter or smaller version of the unmodified protein. Often, the modified protein is an internally deleted version of the unmodified protein, wherein the internal deletion at least breaks up and, preferably, deletes the proteolytic cleavage site.
Antisense-mediated modulation of splicing (also referred to as exon-skipping) is one of the fields where AONs have been able to live up to their expectations. In this approach, AONs are implemented to facilitate cryptic splicing, to change levels of alternatively spliced genes, or, in case of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), to skip an exon in order to restore a disrupted reading frame. The latter allows the generation of internally deleted, but largely functional, dystrophin proteins and would convert a severe DMD into a milder Becker muscular dystrophy phenotype. In fact, exon skipping is currently one of the most promising therapeutic tools for DMD, and a successful first-in-man trial has recently been completed. The antisense-mediated modulation of splicing has been diversified since its first introduction and now many different kinds of manipulations are possible. Apart from classical exon skipping where typically an entire exon is skipped from the mature mRNA, it is, for instance, possible to skip a part of an exon. Exon inclusion is also possible. The latter occurs when AONs targeted toward appropriate intron sequences are coupled to the business end of SR-proteins.
Exon skipping has been used to restore cryptic splicing, to change levels of alternatively spliced genes, and to restore disrupted open reading frames. This approach has been employed with a number of genes including Apolipoprotein B, Bcl-X, Collagen type 7, dystrophin, dysferlin, prostate-specific membrane antigen, IL-5 receptor alpha, MyD88, Tau, TNFalpha2 receptor, Titin, WT1, beta-globulin, and CFTR. Accordingly, in preferred embodiments, methods are provided for removing a proteolytic cleavage site from a protein, wherein the protein is not Apolipoprotein B, Bcl-X, Collagen type 7, dystrophin, dysferlin, prostate-specific membrane antigen, IL-5 receptor alpha, MyD88, Tau, TNFalpha2 receptor, Titin, WT1, beta-globulin, or CFTR; more preferably, the protein is not dystrophin.
In contrast to the previous uses for exon-skipping, provided is a method for removing a proteolytic cleavage site in order to treat an individual, restore function to a protein, or reduce toxicity of a protein. The methods and oligonucleotides described herein are particularly useful for removing proteolytic cleavage sites from a protein, wherein the protein is involved in a neurodegenerative disorder.
Prevention of inclusion of a coding part for a proteolytic cleavage site into mature mRNA is, in the present invention, typically achieved by means of exon-skipping. Antisense oligonucleotides for exon-skipping typically enable skipping of an exon or the 5′ or 3′ part of it. Antisense oligonucleotides can be directed toward the 5′ splice site, the 3′ splice site, to both splice sites, to one or more exon-internal sites and to intron sequences, for instance, specific for the branch point. The latter enables skipping of the upstream exon.
Skipping of the nucleotides that code for the proteolytic cleavage site is typically achieved by skipping the exon that contains the nucleotides that code for the proteolytic cleavage site. The proteolytic cleavage site comprises the recognition sequence for the specific protease and the two amino acids between which the peptide linkage is cleaved by the protease. The proteolytic cleavage site can overlap the boundary of two adjacent exons or, if a part of the exon is skipped, overlap the exon sequence that contains the cryptic splice acceptor/donor sequence. In this embodiment, it is preferred to skip the exon sequence that codes for the peptide linkage that is cleaved by the protease. Whether or not a recognition sequence for a protease is actually used in nature depends, not only on the presence of the recognition sequence itself, but also on the location of the site in the folded protein. An internally located recognition site is typically not used in nature. In the invention, a proteolytic cleavage site is an active proteolytic cleavage site that is actually used in nature.
Skipping of the exon that contains the nucleotides that code for the proteolytic cleavage site is preferably achieved by means of an AON that is directed toward an exon internal sequence. An oligonucleotide is said to be directed toward an exon internal sequence if the complementarity region that contains the sequence identity to the reverse complement of the target pre-mRNA is within the exon boundary. Presently, all exons that have been targeted by means of exon-skipping can be induced to be skipped from the mature mRNA, often with one AON and sometimes with two AONs directed toward the exon. However, not all AONs that can be designed induce detectable amounts of skipping. The most experience with exon-skipping has been gained in the DMD system. Using AON directed toward exon-internal sequences, it has been shown that all exons can be skipped (with the exception, of course, of the first and the last exon). However, not all AON designed against an exon-internal sequence actually induce detectable amounts of skipping of the targeted exon. The frequency of randomly selected exon-internal AON that induce skipping is around 30%, depending on the actual exon that is targeted. Since the first trials, however, the experience gained from AON that successfully induced skipping has resulted in a significant improvement of the success ratio of a designed AON (PMID: 18813282, Aartsma-Rus et al., Mol. Ther. 17(3):548 (2009). The factors that improve the success ratio include, among others, the predicted structure of the exon RNA at the target site, the exact sequence targeted, and the predicted presence or absence of specific SR-protein binding sites in the target site (ibidem).
Skipping of an exon sequence encoding a proteolytic cleavage site is preferably such that downstream amino acids of the target protein are present in the newly formed protein. In this way, the proteolytic cleavage site is removed while leaving much of the downstream protein intact. In this embodiment, the functionality of the modified protein is at least part of the functionality of the protein as present in normal individuals. Thus, preferably, the modified protein contains an “in frame” deletion of the proteolytic cleavage site. Preferably, the “in frame” deleted protein has at least 20%, preferably at least 50% of the functionality of the unmodified protein in a normal individual. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the number of nucleotides that is skipped is dividable by three. Skipping of an exon sequence that codes for a proteolytic cleavage site is typically achieved by skipping the exon that contains this sequence. Skipping of the target exon is sufficient if this exon contains a number of nucleotides that is dividable by three. If the exon contains another number, it is preferred to also skip an adjacent exon, such that the total number of skipped nucleotides is again dividable by three. In most cases, the skipping of an adjacent exon is sufficient; however, if this also does not result in a number of skipped nucleotides that is dividable by three, the skipping of yet a further exon, adjacent to the two mentioned, may be necessary. Skipping of four or more exons is possible but often does not yield a lot of the correct protein. Sometimes, it is possible to skip only a part of an exon. This is either the 5′ part of the 3′ part of the exon. This occurs when the exon contains a cryptic 3′ or 5′ splice site that can be activated.
The term “pre-mRNA” refers to a non-processed or partly processed precursor mRNA that is synthesized from a DNA template in the cell nucleus by transcription. Within the context of the invention, inducing and/or promoting skipping of an exon sequence that codes for a proteolytic cleavage site, as indicated herein, means that at least 1%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or more of the mRNA encoding of the targeted protein in a cell will not contain the skipped exon sequence (modified/(modified+unmodified) mRNA). This is preferably assessed by PCR as described in the examples.
An AON hereof that induces skipping of an exon sequence that encodes a proteolytic cleavage site, preferably, comprises a sequence that is complementary to the exon. In some embodiments, the AON induces skipping of an exon in its entirety. In other embodiments, the AON induces skipping of a part of an exon, preferably, the part encodes a proteolytic cleavage site. Preferably, the AON contains a continuous stretch of between 8-50 nucleotides that is complementary to the exon. An AON of the invention preferably comprises a stretch of at least 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 or 50 nucleotides that is complementary to the exon. In a preferred embodiment, the AON contains a continuous stretch of between 12-45 nucleotides that is complementary to the exon. More preferably, a stretch of between 15-41 nucleotides. Depending on the chemical modification introduced into the AON the complementary stretch may be at the smaller side of the range or at the larger side. A preferred antisense oligonucleotide, according to the invention, comprises a T-O alkyl phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotide, such as 2′-O-methyl modified ribose (RNA), 2′-0-ethyl modified ribose, 2′-O-propyl modified ribose, and/or substituted derivatives of these modifications, such as halogenated derivatives. A most preferred AON, comprises of 2′-0-methyl phosphorothioate ribose. Such AON, typically, do not need to have a very large complementary stretch. Such AON, typically, contain a stretch of between 15-25 complementary nucleotides. As described herein below, another preferred AON of the invention comprises a morpholino backbone. AON comprising such backbones typically contain somewhat larger stretches of complementarity. Such AON, typically, contain a stretch of between 25-40 complementary nucleotides. When in this invention reference is made to the range of nucleotides, this range includes the number(s) mentioned. Thus, by way of example, when reference is made to a stretch of between 8-50, this includes 8 and 50.
An AON hereof that is complementary to a target RNA is capable of hybridizing to the target RNA under stringent conditions. Typically, this means that the reverse complement of the AON is at least 90% and, preferably, at least 95% and, more preferably, at least 98% and, most preferably, at least 100% identical to the nucleotide sequence of the target at the targeted sited. An AON hereof, thus preferably, has two or less mismatches with the reverse complement of the target RNA, preferably, it has one or no mismatches with the reverse complement of the target RNA. In another preferred embodiment, the AON may be specifically designed to have one or more mismatches, preferably, one or two mismatches, e.g., in cases where it is necessary to reduce the affinity when the skipping of the 100% complementary AON is more effective than biologically desired in view of the necessary remaining protein activity. A mismatch is defined herein as a nucleotide or nucleotide analogue that does not have the same base pairing capacity in kind, not necessarily in amount, as the nucleotide it replaces. For instance, the base of uracil that replaces a thymine and vice versa, is not a mismatch. A preferred mismatch comprises an inosine. An inosine nucleotide is capable of pairing with any natural base in an RNA, i.e., capable of pairing with an A, C, G or U in the target RNA.
In a preferred embodiment, the nucleotide analogue or equivalent comprises a modified backbone. Examples of such backbones are provided by morpholino backbones, carbamate backbones, siloxane backbones, sulfide, sulfoxide and sulfone backbones, formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones, methyleneformacetyl backbones, riboacetyl backbones, alkene containing backbones, sulfamate, sulfonate and sulfonamide backbones, methyleneimino and methylenehydrazino backbones, and amide backbones. Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers are modified backbone oligonucleotides that have previously been investigated as antisense agents. Morpholino oligonucleotides have an uncharged backbone in which the deoxyribose sugar of DNA is replaced by a six-membered ring, and the phosphodiester linkage is replaced by a phosphorodiamidate linkage. Morpholino oligonucleotides are resistant to enzymatic degradation and appear to function as antisense agents by arresting translation or interfering with pre-mRNA splicing rather than by activating RNase H. Morpholino oligonucleotides have been successfully delivered to tissue culture cells by methods that physically disrupt the cell membrane. One study comparing several of these methods, found that scrape loading was the most efficient method of delivery; however, because the morpholino backbone is uncharged, cationic lipids are not effective mediators of morpholino oligonucleotide uptake in cells. A recent report demonstrated triplex formation by a morpholino oligonucleotide and, because of the non-ionic backbone, these studies showed that the morpholino oligonucleotide was capable of triplex formation in the absence of magnesium. A modified backbone is typically preferred to increase nuclease resistance of the AON, the target RNA or the AON/target RNA hybrid, or a combination thereof. A modified backbone can also be preferred because of its altered affinity for the target sequence compared to an unmodified backbone. An unmodified backbone can be RNA or DNA preferably it is an RNA backbone.
It is further preferred that the linkage between the residues in a backbone does not include a phosphorus atom, such as a linkage that is formed by short chain alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, mixed heteroatom and alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, or one or more short chain heteroatomic or heterocyclic internucleoside linkages.
A preferred nucleotide analogue or equivalent, comprises a Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA), having a modified polyamide backbone (Nielsen, et al. (1991) Science 254, 1497-1500). PNA-based molecules are true mimics of DNA molecules in terms of base-pair recognition. The backbone of the PNA is composed of 7V-(2-aminoethyl)-glycine units linked by peptide bonds, wherein the nucleobases are linked to the backbone by methylene carbonyl bonds. An alternative backbone comprises a one-carbon extended pyrrolidine PNA monomer (Govindaraju and Kumar (2005) Chem. Commun, 495-497). Since the backbone of a PNA molecule contains no charged phosphate groups, PNA-RNA hybrids are usually more stable than RNA-RNA or RNA-DNA hybrids, respectively, (Egholm et al (1993) Nature 365, 566-568).
A further preferred backbone, comprises a morpholino nucleotide analog or equivalent, in which the ribose or deoxyribose sugar is replaced by a six-membered morpholino ring. A most preferred nucleotide analog or equivalent, comprises a phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO), in which the ribose or deoxyribose sugar is replaced by a six-membered morpholino ring, and the anionic phosphodiester linkage between adjacent morpholino rings is replaced by a non-ionic phosphorodiamidate linkage.
In yet a further embodiment, a nucleotide analogue or equivalent of the invention, comprises a substitution of one of the non-bridging oxygens in the phosphodiester linkage. This modification slightly destabilizes base-pairing but adds significant resistance to nuclease degradation. A preferred nucleotide analogue or equivalent, comprises phosphorothioate, chiral phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, phosphotriester, aminoalkylphosphotriester, H-phosphonate, methyl and other alkyl phosphonate including 3′-alkylene phosphonate, 5′-alkylene phosphonate and chiral phosphonate, phosphinate, phosphoramidate including 3′-amino phosphoramidate and aminoalkylphosphoramidate, thionophosphoramidate, thionoalkylphosphonate, thionoalkylphosphotriester, selenophosphate or boranophosphate.
A further preferred nucleotide analogue or equivalent of the invention, comprises one or more sugar moieties that are mono- or disubstituted at the 2′, 3′ and/or 5′ position, such as a —OH; —F; substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched lower (Cl—ClO) alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkaryl, allyl, aryl, or aralkyl that may be interrupted by one or more heteroatoms; O-, S-, or N-alkyl; O-, S-, or N-alkenyl; O-, S- or N-alkynyl; O-, S-, or N-allyl; O-alkyl-0 alkyl, -methoxy, -aminopropoxy; -aminoxy; methoxyethoxy; -dimethylaminooxyethoxy; and -dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy. The sugar moiety can be a pyranose or derivative thereof, or a deoxypyranose or derivative thereof, preferably, a ribose or a derivative thereof, or a deoxyribose or a derivative thereof. Such preferred derivatized sugar moieties comprise Locked Nucleic Acid (LNA), in which the 2′-carbon atom is linked to the 3′ or 4′ carbon atom of the sugar ring, thereby, forming a bicyclic sugar moiety. A preferred LNA comprises 2′-0,4′-C-ethylene-bridged nucleic acid (Morita et al. 2001, Nucleic Acid Res Supplement No. 1: 241-242). These substitutions render the nucleotide analogue, or equivalent RNase H and nuclease, resistant and increase the affinity for the target RNA. As is apparent to one of skill in the art, the substitutions provided herein render the double-stranded complex of the antisense oligonucleotide with its target pre-mRNA RNase H resistant. Accordingly, preferred oligonucleotides bind to the pre-mRNA of the protein to form a double-stranded nucleic acid complex and are chemically modified to render the double-stranded nucleic acid complex RNAse H resistant.
It is understood by a skilled person that it is not necessary for all positions in an antisense oligonucleotide to be modified uniformly. In addition, more than one of the aforementioned analogues or equivalents, may be incorporated in a single antisense oligonucleotide or even at a single position within an antisense oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, an antisense oligonucleotide of the invention has at least two different types of analogues or equivalents.
As mentioned hereinabove, a preferred AON hereof, comprises a T-O alkyl phosphorothioate antisense oligonucleotide, such as 2′-O-methyl modified ribose (RNA), 2′-0-ethyl modified ribose, 2′-O-propyl modified ribose, and/or substituted derivatives of these modifications, such as halogenated derivatives. A most preferred AON, comprises of 2′-0-methyl phosphorothioate ribose.
An AON can be linked to a moiety that enhances uptake of the antisense oligonucleotide in cells. Examples of such moieties are cholesterols, carbohydrates, vitamins, biotin, lipids, phospholipids, cell-penetrating peptides including but not limited to antennapedia, TAT, transportan and positively charged amino acids, such as oligoarginine, poly-arginine, oligolysine or polylysine, antigen-binding domains, such as provided by an antibody, a Fab fragment of an antibody, or a single chain antigen binding domain, such as a cameloid single domain antigen-binding domain.
Preferably, additional flanking sequences are used to modify the binding of a protein to the AON, or to modify a thermodynamic property of the AON, more preferably, to modify target RNA binding affinity.
AON administration in humans is typically well tolerated. Clinical manifestations of the administration of AON in human clinical trials have been limited to the local side effects following subcutaneous (SC) injection (on the whole intravenous (i.v.) administration seems to be better tolerated) and generalized side effects, such as fever and chills that similar to the response to interferon administration, respond well to paracetamol. More than 4000 patients with different disorders have been treated so far using systemic delivery of first generation AON (phosphorothioate backbone), and approximately 500 following local administration. The typical dosage used ranged from 0.5 mg/kg every other day for one month in Crohn's disease, to 200 mg twice weekly for three months in rheumatoid arthritis, to higher dosages of 2 mg/kg day in other protocols dealing with malignancies. Fewer patients (approx. 300) have been treated so far using new generation AON (uniform phosphorothioated backbone with flanking 2′ methoxyethoxy wing) delivered systemically at doses comprised between 0.5 and 9 mg/kg per week for up to three weeks.
Delivery of AON to cells of the brain can be achieved by various means. For instance, they can be delivered directly to the brain via intracerebral inoculation (Schneider et al., Journal of Neuroimmunology 195 (2008) 21-27), intraparenchymal infusion (Broaddus et al., J. Neurosurg. 1998 April; 88(4):734-42), intrathecal, or intraventricularly. Alternatively, the AON can be coupled to a single domain antibody or the variable domain thereof (VHH) that has the capacity to pass the Blood Brain barrier. Nanotechnology has also been used to deliver oligonucleotides to the brain, e.g., a nanogel consisting of cross-linked PEG and polyethylenimine. Encapsulation of AON in liposomes is also well known to one of skill in the art.
An AON hereof preferably comprises a sequence that is complementary to part of the pre-mRNA, as defined herein. In a more preferred embodiment, the length of the complementary part of the oligonucleotide is of at least 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50 nucleotides. Preferably, additional flanking sequences are used to modify the binding of a protein to the molecule or oligonucleotide, or to modify a thermodynamic property of the oligonucleotide, more preferably, to modify target RNA binding affinity. An AON of the invention may further comprise additional nucleotides that are not complementary to the target site on the target pre-mRNA. In a preferred embodiment, an AON contains between 8-50 nucleotides. An AON of the invention preferably comprises a stretch of at least 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 or 50 nucleotides. In a preferred embodiment, the AON contains a continuous stretch of between 12-45 nucleotides, more preferably, a stretch of between 15-41 nucleotides. Depending on the chemistry of the backbone, as indicated hereinabove, an AON of the invention contains between 15-25 nucleotides. An AON of the invention with a morpholino backbone typically contains a stretch of between 25-40 nucleotides. In a preferred embodiment, the indicated amounts for the number of nucleotides in the AON refers to the length of the complementarity to the target pre-mRNA, preferably to an exon internal sequence, however, the target sequence can also be a 5′ or a 3′ splice site of an exon or an intron sequence, such as preferably a branch point. In another preferred embodiment, the indicated amounts refer to the total number of nucleotides in the AON.
Preferably, the complementary part is at least 50% of the length of the oligonucleotide of the invention, more preferably, at least 60%, even more preferably, at least 70%, even more preferably, at least 80%, even more preferably, at least 90% or even more preferably, at least 95%, or even more preferably, 98% and most preferably, up to 100% of the length of the oligonucleotide of the invention, with the putative exception of deliberately introduced specific mismatches, e.g., for down-regulating affinity when necessary.
With respect to AON that also contain additional nucleotides, the total number of nucleotides typically does not exceed 50, and the additional nucleotides preferably range in number from between 5-25, preferably from 10-25, more preferably, from 15-25. The additional nucleotides typically are not complementary to the target site on the pre-mRNA but may be complementary to another site on the pre-mRNA or may serve a different purpose and not be complementary to the target pre-mRNA, i.e., less then 95% sequence identity of the additional nucleotides to the reverse complement of the target pre-mRNA.
The proteolytic cleavage site that is to be removed from a protein by a method or AON of the invention is preferably a serine endoprotease cleavage site, a metaloendopeptidase cleavage site, a secretase cleavage site and/or a caspase cleavage site. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cleavage site is a caspase cleavage site or secretase cleavage site. Caspases are a family of intracellular cysteine proteases that play a central role in the initiation and execution of programmed cell death. The term caspases is a short form for Cystein Aspartate-specific Proteases: their catalytical activity depends on a critical cystein-residue within a highly conserved active-site pentapeptide QACRG, and the caspases specifically cleave their substrates after Asp residues (also the serine-protease granzyme B has specificity for Asp in the P1 position of substrates). More than ten different members of the caspase family have been identified in mammals. According to a unified nomenclature, the caspases are referred to in the order of their publication: so Caspase-1 is ICE (Interleukin-1beta-Converting Enzyme), the first aspartate-specific cystein protease described. The secretase family of proteases is subdivided into three groups, the alpha-, beta- and gamma-secretases. In a preferred embodiment, the secretase is a gamma-secretase.
The protein from which the proteolytic cleavage site is to be removed can be any protein that contains a proteolytic cleavage site. In a preferred embodiment, the protein is a mammalian protein, more preferably, a primate protein. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the protein is a human protein. In a preferred embodiment, the protein is associated with a disease in humans. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the protein is associated with a triplet repeat disease in humans. Preferably, a polyglutamine repeat disease.
In a preferred embodiment, the protein comprises a caspase cleavage site or secretase cleavage site. Preferably, the protein comprises a caspase-3 or -6 proteolytic cleavage site. Preferably, the protein is a protein that is normally present in the brain of a mammal. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the gene encoding the protein is a mutant gene that encodes a trinucleotide repeat expansion when compared to the gene of a normal individual.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the protein is a protein encoded by one of the genes listed in table 1a or 1b. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the gene is a mutant gene that is the causative gene in a polyglutamine disorder, preferably a gene of table 1a. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the gene is the huntingtin (Htt) gene. Htt is expressed in all mammalian cells. The highest concentrations are found in the brain and testes, with moderate amounts in the liver, heart, and lungs. The function of Htt in humans is as yet not entirely resolved. Htt interacts among others with proteins, which are involved in transcription, cell signaling and intracellular transporting. In humans the gene, and in particular mutants thereof, is associated with Huntington's disease (HD). HD is a progressive neurodegenerative genetic disorder, which affects muscle movement and muscle coordination and leads to cognitive decline and dementia. It typically becomes noticeable in middle age. HD is the most common genetic cause of abnormal involuntary writhing movements called chorea and is much more common in people of Western European descent than in those from Asia or Africa. The disease is caused by an autosomal dominant mutation of the Htt-gene. A child of an affected parent has a 50% risk of inheriting the disease.
For the Htt gene it is preferred that the caspase-6 proteolytic cleave site encoded by exon Htt exon 12 is removed from the Huntingtin protein. It is preferred that the coding region that codes for the proteolytic cleavage site is removed “in frame,” so as to allow incorporation of the normal downstream amino acid sequence into the mutant protein. In one embodiment, the “in frame” removal is achieved by providing the cell with an AON that enables skipping of exon 12 and an AON that enables skipping of exon 13 of the Htt gene. In another preferred embodiment, the “in frame” removal is achieved by providing the cell with an AON capable of inducing exon skipping directed toward the region delimited by nucleotides 269-297 of exon 12 of the Htt gene. In a preferred embodiment, the AON is directed toward region delimited by nucleotides 207 until 341 of exon 12. It is preferred that the AON is directed toward the internal region delimited by nucleotides 207 until 341 of exon 12. This includes nucleotides 207 and 341. It has been found in the present invention that AON directed toward the preferred regions induce skipping of the last 135 nucleotides of exon 12, thereby producing an “in frame” complete deletion of two active caspase 3 cleavage sites at amino acid 513 and 552, and removal of the first amino acid of an active caspase 6 site, partially located in exon 12 and partially in exon 13. AON HDEx12_1 (table 2) activates a cryptic splice site at nucleotide 206 in exon 12, leading to the absence of the remainder of exon 12 from the formed mRNA.
Further provided is an isolated and/or recombinant modified Htt mRNA having a deletion of at least nucleotides 207 until 341 of exon 12. The modified Htt mRNA preferably comprises the exons 1-11, the first 206 nucleotides of exon 12 and exons 13-67. In another preferred embodiment, the modified Htt mRNA comprises the exons 1-11, 14-67.
In another embodiment provided is an isolated and/or recombinant modified Htt protein comprising a deletion of amino acids 538-583. The modified Htt protein preferably comprises the amino acid sequence encoded by exons 1-11, the first 206 nucleotides of exon 12, and exons 13-67. In another preferred embodiment, the modified Htt protein comprises the amino acid sequence encoded by exons 1-11, 14-67.
In yet another embodiment provided is an isolated and/or recombinant cell comprising a modified Htt mRNA and/or a modified Htt protein as indicated herein above. Preferably, the cell comprises an Htt gene comprising a coding region of a polyglutamine repeat, the length of which is associated with HD.
For the ATXN3 gene, it is preferred that the caspase cleavage sites in exon 7 is removed from the protein. It is preferred that the coding region that codes for the proteolytic cleavage site is removed “in frame,” so as to allow incorporation of the normal downstream amino acid into the mutant protein. In one embodiment, the “in frame” removal is achieved by providing the cell with an AON that enables skipping of exon 7 and an AON that enables skipping of exon 8 of the ATXN3 gene.
For the ATN1 gene it is preferred that the caspase 3 cleavage site near the N-terminus of the protein and the polyglutamine tract (106DSLD109) in exon 5 is removed from the protein. It is preferred that the coding region that codes for the proteolytic cleavage site is removed “in frame,” so as to allow incorporation of the normal downstream amino acid into the mutant protein. In one embodiment, the “in frame” removal is achieved by providing the cell with an AON that enables skipping of exon 5 and an AON that enables skipping of exon 6 of the ATN1 gene. In a preferred embodiment, the AON comprises a sequence as depicted in table 2 under DPRLA AON.
Further provided is an AON hereof, of preferably between 14-40 nucleotides, that induces skipping of an exon that encodes a proteolytic cleavage site in a protein. In a preferred embodiment, provided is an AON, as indicated hereinabove, comprising a sequence as depicted in Table 2. The AON is suitable for skipping the indicated exon of the gene. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the AON comprises the sequence of HDEx12_1 of table 2. In another preferred embodiment, provided is an AON as indicated herein above that is specific for the region identified by a sequence of an AON depicted in table 2. In a preferred embodiment, the AON comprises at least 10 consecutive nucleotides of the region identified by an oligonucleotide as depicted in table 2. In a particularly preferred embodiment, provided is an AON, as indicated hereinabove, that is specific for the region identified by a sequence of HDEx12_1 of Table 2.
Further provided is the use of exon-skipping in a cell for removing a proteolytic cleavage site from a protein. Further provided is the use of an AON that induces skipping of an exon that encodes a proteolytic cleavage site in a protein, for removing the proteolytic cleavage site from the protein in a cell that produces pre-mRNA encoding the protein. Further provided si an oligonucleotide of between 14-40 nucleotides that induces skipping of an exon that encodes a proteolytic cleavage site in a protein for use in the treatment of a disease that is associated with a proteolytic cleavage product of the protein.
In another embodiment, provided is a method for altering the proteolytic processing of a protein that comprises a proteolytic cleavage site comprising providing a cell that produces a pre-mRNA that codes for the protein with an AON that is specific for the pre-mRNA; and that prevents inclusion of the code for the proteolytic cleavage site into mature mRNA produced from the pre-mRNA, the method further comprising allowing translation of the mRNA to produce the protein of which the proteolytic processing is altered.
Further provided is a non-human animal comprising an oligonucleotide hereof. Preferably, the non-human animal comprises a mutant gene that encodes a trinucleotide repeat expansion when compared to the gene of a normal individual.
Further provided is a modified human protein from which a proteolytic cleavage site is removed by means of exon skipping. Further provided is an mRNA encoding a modified human protein from which a proteolytic cleavage site is removed by means of exon skipping.
Further provided is a cell encoding a human protein comprising a proteolytic cleavage site, wherein the cell contains an AON of the invention for removing the proteolytic cleavage site from the protein in the cell.
The general nomenclature of cleavage site positions of the substrate were formulated by Schecter and Berger, 1967-68 [Schechter and Berger, 1967], [Schechter and Berger, 1968]. They designate the cleavage site between P1-P1′, incrementing the numbering in the N-terminal direction of the cleaved peptide bond (P2, P3, P4, etc.). On the carboxyl side of the cleavage site, numbering are likewise incremented (P1′, P2′, P3′, etc.).



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1: Exon skipping after transfection with various concentrations HDEx12_1 AON. A) Patient derived HD fibroblasts were treated with 1, 25, 150, and 1000 nM HDEx12_1. β-Actin was taken along as loading control. Increasing the AON concentration from 1 nM to 25 nM resulted in a higher skip percentage from 16% to 92% as was measured by Lab-on-a-Chip. The highest skip percentage of 95% was obtained with 150 nM HDEx12_1. Too high concentration of AON resulted in inefficient skip. In the Mock I control (transfection agent only) no skip is visible as expected. The potency of HDEx12_1 exon 12 skip was also seen in another HD and control fibroblast cell line and human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. B) Schematic representation of PCR of HD exons 9 to 14. Both schematic representation of normal (top) and shorter, skipped exon 12 (bottom) products are shown.
FIG. 2: Log dose response curve of HDEx12_1 AON in a HD fibroblast cell line. X-axis displays the log concentration (nM) and y-axis the percentage of skip. The half maximum inhibitory value (IC50) of the HDEx12_1 AON was found to be 40 nM. The optimal percentage exon 12 skip was achieved with an AON concentration of 150 nM and higher. Results shown as mean±SEM (n=2-3).
FIG. 3: Sanger sequencing of normal (A) and skipped (SEQ ID NO:228) (B) PCR product (SEQ ID NO:229). HDEx12_1 AON transfection in a HD fibroblast cell line resulted in an in-frame skip of 135 nucleotides, which corresponds with 45 amino acids. The observed skip is caused by the activation of an alternative splice site (AG|GTRAG, see dashed box (positions 6-12 of SEQ ID NO:228)), resulting in an alternative splice site exon isoform. This partial exon 12 skip results in the deletion of an active caspase-3 site 549DLND552 and partial removal of the first amino acid (Isoleucine) of an active caspase-6 site (583IVLD586).
FIG. 4: Partial amino acid sequence of the huntingtin protein (see SEQ ID NO:227). Underlined are the amino acids encoded by exon 12 and 13. Highlighted is the part of the protein that is currently skipped by the exon 12 AON. In bold is the caspase-3 site 510DSVD513, caspase-3 site 549DLND552 and caspase-6 site 583IVLD586.
FIG. 5: Schematic diagram of huntingtin. A) Diagram of complete htt protein. PolyQ indicates the polyglutamine tract. The arrows indicate the caspase cleavage sites and their amino acid positions. B) Amino-terminal part of the htt protein. Htt exon 1 to 17 are depicted. The arrows indicate the caspase cleavage sites and their amino acid positions. C) Schematic representation and amino acid sequence of htt exon 12 and 13 with the caspase cleavage motifs depicted in bold. Exon boundaries are shown with vertical grey bars (SEQ ID NO:230). D) Partial amino acid and nucleotide sequence of htt exon 12 and 13 (SEQ ID NOS:231 and 233). Caspase cleavage motifs are depicted in bold and exon boundary is shown with vertical grey bar. The light grey highlighted sequence denotes the part which is skipped after HDEx12_1 AON treatment.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Examples
AON-mediated exon skipping in neurodegenerative diseases to remove proteolytic cleavage sites. AON-mediated exon skipping in Huntington's disease to remove proteolytic cleavage sites from the huntingtin protein
Methods
AONs and Primers
All AONs consisted of 2′-O-methyl RNA and full length phosphorothioate backbones.
Cell Cultures and AON Transfection
Patient fibroblast cells and human neuroblastoma cells were transfected with AONs at concentrations ranging between 1-1000 nM, using Polyethylenemine (PEI) ExGen500 according to the manufacturer's instructions, with 3.3 μl PEI per μg of transfected AON. A second transfection was performed 24 hours after the first transfection. RNA was isolated 24 hours after the second transfection and cDNA was synthesized using random hexamer primers.
Cell Lines Used:
FLB73 Human Fibroblast Control
GM04022 Human Fibroblast HD
GM02173 Human Fibroblast HD
SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Control
Quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) was carried out using the LightCycler® 480 System (Roche) allowing for quantification of gene expression.
Agarose Gel and Sanger Sequencing
All PCR products were run on 2% agarose gel with 100 base pair ladders. Bands were isolated using the QIAgen® PCR purification kit according to manufacturer's instructions. The samples were then sequenced by Sanger sequencing using the Applied Biosystems BigDyeTerminator v3.1 kit.
Lab-on-a-Chip
Lab-on-a-Chip automated electrophoresis was used to quantify the PCR products using a 2100 Bioanalyzer. Samples were made 1 part β-Actin primed product, as a reference transcript, to 5 parts experimental PCR products. The samples were run on a DNA 1000 chip.
Western Blot
Protein was isolated from cells 72 hours after the first transfection and run on a Western blots, transferred onto a PVDF membrane and immunolabelled with primary antibodies recognizing htt, 1H6 or 4C8 (both 1:1,000 diluted)
Materials
AONs and primers were obtained from Eurogentec, Liege, Belgium.
AON sequences:









HDEx12_1:



(SEQ ID NO: 1)



CGGUGGUGGUCUGGGAGCUGUCGCUGAUG



 



HDEx12_2:



(SEQ ID NO: 2)



UCACAGCACACACUGCAGG



 



HDEx13_1:



(SEQ ID NO: 3)



GUUCCUGAAGGCCUCCGAGGCUUCAUCA



 



HDEx13_2:



(SEQ ID NO: 4)



GGUCCUACUUCUACUCCUUCGGUGU






Patient fibroblast cell lines GM04022 and GM02173 were obtained from Coriell, Institute for Medical Research, Camden, USA and control fibroblast cell line FLB73 from Maaike Vreeswijk, LUMC.
Results
Transfection of AON HDEx12_1 in both patient derived HD fibroblast and human neuroblastoma cells showed an efficient skip (see FIG. 1) of exon 12. The optimal percentage exon 12 skip was achieved with a concentration of 150 nM, but a skip was already visible at 1 nM (see FIG. 2). Sanger sequencing confirmed that the last 135 nucleotides of exon 12 were skipped after transfection of the cells with AON HDEx12_1. This corresponded to deletion of 45 amino acids containing two active caspase 3 sites and the first amino acid of an active caspase 6 site (see FIGS. 3 and 4). In silico analysis revealed that the observed skip is likely due to the activation of the alternative splice site AG|GTRAG (positions 6-12 of SEQ ID NO:228) resulting in an alternative splice site exon isoform (see FIG. 3).
CONCLUSIONS
With AON HDEx12_1, we have shown a partial skip of exon 12 of the huntingtin transcript that result in a truncated but in frame protein product. Using different cell lines we have confirmed this partial exon 12 skip by Sanger sequencing and in silico analysis revealed an alternative splice site in exon 12 that is likely the cause of this partial skip. This skipped protein product misses two complete caspase-3 cleavage sites located in exon 12, and the first amino acid of the caspase-6 cleavage site that is located on the border of exon 12 and 13. Recent mouse model data showed that the preferred site of in vivo htt cleavage to be at amino acid 552, which is used in vitro by either caspase-3 or caspase-2 1 and that mutation of the last amino acid of the caspase 6 cleavage site at amino acid position 586 reduces toxicity in an HD model 2.
Functional analysis will be performed to determine whether AON HDEx12_1 can reduce the toxicity of mutant huntingtin and to determine the level of prevention of formation of toxic N-terminal huntingtin fragments. Also other AONs will be tested to completely skip exons 12 and 13 of the huntingtin transcript.
REFERENCES CITED


    1. Wellington, C. L. et al. Inhibiting caspase cleavage of huntingtin reduces toxicity and aggregate formation in neuronal and nonneuronal cells. J. Biol. Chem. 275, 19831-19838 (2000).
    2. Graham, R. K. et al. Cleavage at the Caspase-6 Site Is Required for Neuronal Dysfunction and Degeneration Due to Mutant Huntingtin. Cell 125, 1179-1191 (2006).









TABLE 1a







Polyglutamine (PolyQ) Diseases












Normal
Pathogenic




PolyQ
PolyQ


Type
Gene
repeats
repeats





DRPLA (Dentatorubropallidoluysian
ATN1 or DRPLA
6-35
49-88


atrophy)


HD (Huntington's disease)
Htt (Huntingtin)
10-35 
35+


SBMA (Spinobulbar muscular atrophy
Androgen receptor on
9-36
38-62


or Kennedy disease)
the X chromosome.


SCA1 (Spinocerebellar ataxia Type 1)
ATXN1
6-35
49-88


SCA2 (Spinocerebellar ataxia Type 2)
ATXN2
14-32 
33-77


SCA3 (Spinocerebellar ataxia Type 3 or
ATXN3
12-40 
55-86


Machado-Joseph disease)


SCA6 (Spinocerebellar ataxia Type 6)
CACNA1A
4-18
21-30


SCA7 (Spinocerebellar ataxia Type 7)
ATXN7
7-17
 38-120


SCA17 (Spinocerebellar ataxia Type 17)
TBP
25-42 
47-63
















TABLE 1b







Non-Polyglutamine Diseases


Unstable repeat disorders caused by loss-of-function, RNA-mediated, or unknown


mechanism














MIM
Repeat
Gene
Normal
Expanded
Main clinical


Disease
Number
unit
product
repeat
repeat
features length










Loss of function mechanism













FRAXA
309550
(CGC)n
FMRP
6-60
>200 (full
Mental retardation,







mutation)
macroorchidsm,








connective tissue








defects, behavioral








abnormalities


FRAXE
309548
(CCG)n
FMR2
4-39
200-900
Mental retardation


FRDA
229300
(GAA)n
Frataxin
6-32
200-1700
Sensory ataxia,








cardiomyopathy,








diabetes







RNA-mediated pathogenesis













DM1
160900
(CTG)n
DMPK
5-37
 50-10,000
Myotonia,








weakness, cardiac








conduction defects,








insulin resistance,








cataracts, testicular








atrophy, and








mental retardation








in congenital form


FXTAS
309550
(CGG)n
FMR1 RNA
6-60
 60-200
Ataxia, tremor,







(premutation)
Parkinsonism, and








dementia







Unknown pathogenic mechanism













SCA8
608768
(CTG)n
SCA8 RNA
16-34 
>74
Ataxia, slurred








speech, nystagmus


SCA12
604326
(CAG)n
PPP2R2B
7-45
 55-78
Ataxia and seizures


HDL2
606438
(CTG)n
Junctophilin
7-28
 66-78
Similar to HD





Annual Review of Neuroscience Vol. 30: 575-621 (Volume publication date July 2007) Trinucleotide Repeat Disorders Harry T. Orr and Huda Y. Zoghbi













TABLE 2





List of AON















HDEx12_1: CGGUGGUGGUCUGGGAGCUGUCGCUGAUG (SEQ ID NO: 1)


 


HDEx12_2: UCACAGCACACACUGCAGG (SEQ ID NO: 2)


 


HDEx13_1: GUUCCUGAAGGCCUCCGAGGCUUCAUCA (SEQ ID NO: 3)


 


HDEx13_2: GGUCCUACUUCUACUCCUUCGGUGU (SEQ ID NO: 4)


 


HDEx12_2 is a comparative example of an oligonucleotide having


the nucleotide sequence of Htt in the sense strand.


 


DRPLA AONs:









1
DRPLAEx5_18
GUC GCU GCU GCC AUC AUC AU (SEQ ID NO: 5)


 


2
DRPLAEx5_128
AAG AGG AAG CAG GAG GCA GA (SEQ ID NO: 6)


 


3
DRPLAEx5_81
GGA GGA GCC UGG AAC AUU CG (SEQ ID NO: 7)


 


1
DRPLAEx6_80
AAG CUC GCG CUC CUU CUC GC (SEQ ID NO: 8)


 


2
DRPLAEx6_1
CGA GUU GAA GCC GCG AUC CA (SEQ ID NO: 9)


 


3
DRPLAEx6_84
GUU CAA GCU CGC GCU CCU UC (SEQ ID NO: 10)





HDEx AON are oligonucleotides for skipping exons 12 or 13 of the Htt gene.


DRPLA AON are oligonucleotides for skipping exons 5 or 6 of the DRPLA/ATN1 gene.






Table 3 provides further oligonucleotides for exon skipping.
APP: amyloid precursor protein in Alzheimer's disease (AD); ATN1: Atrophin 1 in DRPLA; ATNX3: Ataxin 3 for SCA3; ATXN7: Ataxin 7 in SCAT; TBP: TATA binding protein for SCA17; and HTT in Huntington's disease (HD)







TABLE 3







AON sequences targeting proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases















SEQ

SEQ





ID

ID


Disease
AON Name
Target Sequence
NO:
AON Sequence
NO:















AD
hAPPEx15_1
GTTCTGGGTTGACAAATATCAAG
11
CUUGAUAUUUGUCAACCCAGAAC
12


 


AD
hAPPEx15_2
CGGAGGAGATCTCTGAAGTGAAG
13
CUUCACUUCAGAGAUCUCCUCCG
14


 


AD
hAPPEx15_3
GATGCAGAATTCCGACATGAC
15
GUCAUGUCGGAAUUCUGCAUC
16


 


AD
hAPPEx15_4
CTCAGGATATGAAGTTCATCATC
17
GAUGAUGAACUUCAUAUCCUGAG
18


 


AD
hAPPEx16_1
GCAATCATTGGACTCATGGT
19
ACCAUGAGUCCAAUGAUUGC
20


 


AD
hAPPEx16_2
GATCGTCATCACCTTGGTGA
21
UCACCAAGGUGAUGACGAUC
22


 


AD
hAPPEx16_3
GTACACATCCATTCATCATGGTG
23
CACCAUGAUGAAUGGAUGUGUAC
24


 


AD
hAPPEx16_4
GCAGAAGATGTGGGTTCAAAC
25
GUUUGAACCCACAUCUUCUGC
26


 


AD
hAPPEx16_5
GGTGATGCTGAAGAAGAAACAG
27
CUGUUUCUUCUUCAGCAUCACC
28


 


AD
hAPPEx16_6
TCATCATGGTGTGGTGGAGGTAG
29
CUACCUCCACCACACCAUGAUGA
30


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_1
CTCCCTCGGCCACAGTCTCCCT
31
AGGGAGACUGUGGCCGAGGGAG
32


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_2
GCGGAGCCTTAATGATGATGGC
33
GCCAUCAUCAUUAAGGCUCCGC
34


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_3
AGCAGCGACCCTAGGGATATCG
35
CGAUAUCCCUAGGGUCGCUGCU
36


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_4
AGGACAACCGAAGCACGTCCC
37
GGGACGUGCUUCGGUUGUCCU
38


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_5
TGGAAGTGTGGAGAATGACTCTG
39
CAGAGUCAUUCUCCACACUUCCA
40


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_6
ATCTTCTGGCCTGTCCCAGGGC
41
GCCCUGGGACAGGCCAGAAGAU
42


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_7
CGACAGCCAGAGGCTAGCTTTGA
43
UCAAAGCUAGCCUCUGGCUGUCG
44


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_8
CTCGAATGTTCCAGGCTCCTCC
45
GGAGGAGCCUGGAACAUUCGAG
46


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_9
TCTATCCTGGGGGCACTGGTGG
47
CCACCAGUGCCCCCAGGAUAGA
48


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_10
TGGACCCCCAATGGGTCCCAAG
49
CUUGGGACCCAUUGGGGGUCCA
50


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_11
AGGGGCTGCCTCATCAGTGG
51
CCACUGAUGAGGCAGCCCCU
52


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_12
AAGCTCTGGGGCTAGTGGTGCTC
53
GAGCACCACUAGCCCCAGAGCUU
54


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_13
ACAAAGCCGCCTACCACTCCAG
55
CUGGAGUGGUAGGCGGCUUUGU
56


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_14
CTCCACCACCAGCCAACTTCC
57
GGAAGUUGGCUGGUGGUGGAG
58


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_15
CCAACCACTACCTGGTCATCTG
59
CAGAUGACCAGGUAGUGGUUGG
60


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_16
TGGCCCAGAGAAGGGCCCAAC
61
GUUGGGCCCUUCUCUGGGCCA
62


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_17
TTCCTCTTCTGCTCCAGCGCC
63
GGCGCUGGAGCAGAAGAGGAA
64


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_18
GTTTCCTTATTCATCCTCTAG
65
CUAGAGGAUGAAUAAGGAAAC
66


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_19
GCCTCTCTGTCTCCAATCAGC
67
GCUGAUUGGAGACAGAGAGGC
68


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_20
CCATCCCAGGCTGTGTGGAG
69
CUCCACACAGCCUGGGAUGG
70


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_21
TCTACTGGGGCCCAGTCCACCG
71
CGGUGGACUGGGCCCCAGUAGA
72


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_22
GCATCACGGAAACTCTGGGCC
73
GGCCCAGAGUUUCCGUGAUGC
74


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_23
CCACTGGAGGGCGGTAGCTCC
75
GGAGCUACCGCCCUCCAGUGG
76


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_24
CTCCCTGGGGTCTCTGAGGCC
77
GGCCUCAGAGACCCCAGGGAG
78


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_25
CACCAGGGCCAGCACACCTGC
79
GCAGGUGUGCUGGCCCUGGUG
80


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_26
GTGTCCTACAGCCAAGCAGGCC
81
GGCCUGCUUGGCUGUAGGACAC
82


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_27
CAAGGGTCCTACCCATGTTCAC
83
GUGAACAUGGGUAGGACCCUUG
84


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_28
CACCGGTGCCTACGGTCACCAC
85
GUGGUGACCGUAGGCACCGGUG
86


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_29
CTCTTCGGCTACCCTTTCCAC
87
GUGGAAAGGGUAGCCGAAGAG
88


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_30
GGTCATTGCCACCGTGGCTTC
89
GAAGCCACGGUGGCAAUGACC
90


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_31
CCACCGTACGGAAAGAGAGCC
91
GGCUCUCUUUCCGUACGGUGG
92


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_32
CCACCGGGCTATCGAGGAACCTC
93
GAGGUUCCUCGAUAGCCCGGUGG
94


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_33
CAGGCCCAGGGACCTTCAAGCC
95
GGCUUGAAGGUCCCUGGGCCUG
96


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_34
CCACCGTGGGACCTGGGCCCCTG
97
CAGGGGCCCAGGUCCCACGGUGG
98


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_35
GCCACCTGCGGGGCCCTCAGGC
99
GCCUGAGGGCCCCGCAGGUGGC
100


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_36
CCATCGCTGCCACCACCACCT
101
AGGUGGUGGUGGCAGCGAUGG
102


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_37
CCTGCCTCAGGGCCGCCCCTG
103
CAGGGGCGGCCCUGAGGCAGG
104


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_38
GCCGGCTGAGGAGTATGAGACC
105
GGUCUCAUACUCCUCAGCCGGC
106


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_39
CCAAGGTGGTAGATGTACCCA
107
UGGGUACAUCUACCACCUUGG
108


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex5_40
GCCATGCCAGTCAGTCTGCCAG
109
CUGGCAGACUGACUGGCAUGGC
110


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex6_1
CCTGGATCGCGGCTTCAACTC
111
GAGUUGAAGCCGCGAUCCAGG
112


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex6_2
CCTGTACTTCGTGCCACTGGAGG
113
CCUCCAGUGGCACGAAGUACAGG
114


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex6_3
GACCTGGTGGAGAAGGTGCGGCG
115
CGCCGCACCUUCUCCACCAGGUC
116


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex6_4
CGCGAAGAAAAGGAGCGCGAGCG
117
CGCUCGCGCUCCUUUUCUUCGCG
118


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex6_5
GCGAGCGGGAACGCGAGAAAG
119
CUUUCUCGCGUUCCCGCUCGC
120


 


DRPLA
hATN1Ex6_6
GCGAGAAGGAGCGCGAGCTTG
121
CAAGCUCGCGCUCCUUCUCGC
122


 


SCA3
hATXN3Ex7_1
TTGTCGTTAAGGGTGATCTGC
123
GCAGAUCACCCUUAACGACAA
124


 


SCA3
hATXN3Ex7_2
CTGCCAGATTGCGAAGCTGA
125
UCAGCUUCGCAAUCUGGCAG
126


 


SCA3
hATXN3Ex7_3
GACCAACTCCTGCAGATGATT
127
AAUCAUCUGCAGGAGUUGGUC
128


 


SCA3
hATXN3Ex7_4
GGTCCAACAGATGCATCGAC
129
GUCGAUGCAUCUGUUGGACC
130


 


SCA3
hATXN3Ex7_5
GCACAACTAAAAGAGCAAAG
131
CUUUGCUCUUUUAGUUGUGC
132


 


SCA3
hATXN3Ex8_1
GTTAGAAGCAAATGATGGCTC
133
GAGCCAUCAUUUGCUUCUAAC
134


 


SCA3
hATXN3Ex8_2
CTCAGGAATGTTAGACGAAG
135
CUUCGUCUAACAUUCCUGAG
136


 


SCA3
hATXN3Ex8_3
GAGGAGGATTTGCAGAGGGC
137
GCCCUCUGCAAAUCCUCCUC
138


 


SCA3
hATXN3Ex8_4
GAGGAAGCAGATCTCCGCAG
139
CUGCGGAGAUCUGCUUCCUC
140


 


SCA3
hATXN3Ex8_5
GGCTATTCAGCTAAGTATGCAAG
141
CUUGCAUACUUAGCUGAAUAGCC
142


 


SCA3
hATXN3Ex9_1
GGTAGTTCCAGAAACATATCTC
143
GAGAUAUGUUUCUGGAACUACC
144


 


SCA3
hATXN3Ex9_2
GCTTCGGAAGAGACGAGAAGC
145
GCUUCUCGUCUCUUCCGAAGC
146


 


SCA3
hATXN3Ex10_1
CAGCAGCAAAAGCAGCAACAGC
147
GCUGUUGCUGCUUUUGCUGCUG
148


 


SCA3
hATXN3Ex10_2
GACCTATCAGGACAGAGTTC
149
GAACUCUGUCCUGAUAGGUC
150


 


SCA7
hATXN7Ex3_1
GAGCGGAAAGAATGTCGGAGC
151
GCUCCGACAUUCUUUCCGCUC
152


 


SCA7
hATXN7Ex3_2
AGCGGGCCGCGGATGACGTCA
153
UGACGUCAUCCGCGGCCCGCU
154


 


SCA7
hATXN7Ex3_3
AGCAGCCGCCGCCTCCGCAG
155
CUGCGGAGGCGGCGGCUGCU
156


 


SCA7
hATXN7Ex3_4
ACACGGCCGGAGGACGGCG
157
CGCCGUCCUCCGGCCGUGU
158


 


SCA7
hATXN7Ex3_5
GCGCCGCCTCCACCTCGGCCG
159
CGGCCGAGGUGGAGGCGGCGC
160


 


SCA7
hATXN7Ex3_6
ACCTCGGCCGCCGCAATGGCGA
161
UCGCCAUUGCGGCGGCCGAGGU
162


 


SCA7
hATXN7Ex3_7
GGCCTCTGCCCAGTCCTGAAGT
163
ACUUCAGGACUGGGCAGAGGCC
164


 


SCA7
hATXN7Ex3_8
TGATGCTGGGACAGTCGTGGAAT
165
AUUCCACGACUGUCCCAGCAUCA
166


 


SCA7
hATXN7Ex3_9
AGGCTTCCAAACTTCCTGGGAAG
167
CUUCCCAGGAAGUUUGGAAGCCU
168


 


HD
hHTTEx12_1
CATCAGCGACAGCTCCCAGACCACCACCG
169
CGGUGGUGGUCUGGGAGCUGUCGCUGAUG
170


 


HD
hHTTEx12_2
TCACAGCACACACTGCAGGC
171
GCCUGCAGUGUGUGCUGUGA
172


 


HD
hHTTEx12_3
GGTCAGCAGGTCATGACATCAT
173
AUGAUGUCAUGACCUGCUGACC
174


 


HD
hHTTEx12_4
AGAGCTGGCTGCTTCTTCAG
175
CUGAAGAAGCAGCCAGCUCU
176


 


HD
hHTTEx12_5
GATGAGGAGGATATCTTGAG
177
CUCAAGAUAUCCUCCUCAUC
178


 


HD
hHTTEx12_6
TCAGTGAAGGATGAGATCAGTGG
179
CCACUGAUCUCAUCCUUCACUGA
180


 


HD
hHTTEx12_7
ATGGACCTGAATGATGGGAC
181
GUCCCAUCAUUCAGGUCCAU
182


 


HD
hHTTEx12_8
TGACAAGCTCTGCCACTGAT
183
AUCAGUGGCAGAGCUUGUCA
184


 


HD
hHTTEx12_9
TCCAGCCAGGTCAGCGCCGT
185
ACGGCGCUGACCUGGCUGGA
186


 


HD
hHTTEx12_10
ACTCAGTGGATCTGGCCAGCT
187
AGCUGGCCAGAUCCACUGAGU
188


 


HD
hHTTEx13_1
CCTGCAGATTGGACAGCC
189
GGCUGUCCAAUCUGCAGG
190


 


HD
hHTTEx13_2
GGTACCGACAACCAGTATTT
191
AAAUACUGGUUGUCGGUACC
192


 


HD
hHTTEx14_1
AACATGAGTCACTGCAGGCAG
193
CUGCCUGCAGUGACUCAUGUU
194


 


HD
hHTTEx14_2
GCCTTCTGACAGCAGTGTTGAT
195
AUCAACACUGCUGUCAGAAGGC
196


 


HD
hHTTEx14_3
GTTGAGAGATGAAGCTACTG
197
CAGUAGCUUCAUCUCUCAAC
198


 


SCA17
hTBPEx3_1:
GCCATGACTCCCGGAATCCCTA
199
UAGGGAUUCCGGGAGUCAUGGC
200


 


SCA17
hTBPEx3_2:
CCTATCTTTAGTCCAATGATGC
201
GCAUCAUUGGACUAAAGAUAGG
202


 


SCA17
hTBPEx3_3:
TATGGCACTGGACTGACCCCAC
203
GUGGGGUCAGUCCAGUGCCAUA
204


 


SCA17
hTBPEx3_4:
GCAGCTGCAGCCGTTCAGCAG
205
CUGCUGAACGGCUGCAGCUGC
206


 


SCA17
hTBPEx3_5:
GTTCAGCAGTCAACGTCCCAGC
207
GCUGGGACGUUGACUGCUGAAC
208


 


SCA17
hTBPEx3_6:
AACCTCAGGCCAGGCACCACAG
209
CUGUGGUGCCUGGCCUGAGGUU
210


 


SCA17
hTBPEx3_7:
GCACCACAGCTCTTCCACTCA
211
UGAGUGGAAGAGCUGUGGUGC
212


 


SCA17
hTBPEx3_8:
CTCACAGACTCTCACAACTGC
213
GCAGUUGUGAGAGUCUGUGAG
214


 


SCA17
hTBPEx3_9:
GGCACCACTCCACTGTATCCCT
215
AGGGAUACAGUGGAGUGGUGCC
216


 


SCA17
hTBPEx3_10:
CATCACTCCTGCCACGCCAGCT
217
AGCUGGCGUGGCAGGAGUGAUG
218


 


SCA17
hTBPEx3_11:
AGAGTTCTGGGATTGTACCGCA
219
UGCGGUACAAUCCCAGAACUCU
220


 


SCA17
hTBPEx4_1:
TGTATCCACAGTGAATCTTGGT
221
ACCAAGAUUCACUGUGGAUACA
222


 


SCA17
hTBPEx4_2:
GGTTGTAAACTTGACCTAAAG
223
CUUUAGGUCAAGUUUACAACC
224


 


SCA17
hTBPEx4_3:
CATTGCACTTCGTGCCCGAAACG
225
CGUUUCGGGCACGAAGUGCAAUG
226

## Claims

1. A method of promoting the production of a human Huntingtin protein lacking a proteolytic caspase-6 cleavage site in a human cell, the method comprising:
providing a human cell that expresses a human Huntingtin protein comprising a caspase-6 proteolytic cleavage site from a pre-mRNA encoding said protein with an anti-sense oligonucleotide that is directed toward the interior of exon 12 of the human Huntingtin gene;
binds to the pre-mRNA to form a double-stranded nucleic acid complex;

induces partial skipping of exon 12, wherein at least nucleotides 207 to 341 of exon 12 are skipped; and
wherein each nucleotide of the anti-sense oligonucleotide is chemically modified to render the double-stranded nucleic acid complex RNase H resistant, and

allowing translation of mRNA produced from said pre-mRNA in the cell to produce an mRNA lacking nucleotides 207 to 341 of exon 12.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is a uniformly 2′-O-methoxyethylribose modified phosphorothioate oligonucleotide.

3. A method for treating Huntington's disease in an individual, the method comprising:
administering to an individual in need thereof an anti-sense oligonucleotide directed toward the interior of exon 12 of the human Huntingtin gene that binds to a pre-mRNA produced from the human Huntingtin gene to form a double-stranded nucleic acid complex; and induces partial skipping of exon 12 of the human Huntingtin gene wherein at least nucleotides 207 to 341 of exon 12 are skipped; and
wherein each nucleotide of the anti-sense oligonucleotide is chemically modified to render the double-stranded nucleic acid complex RNase H resistant.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is a uniformly 2′-O-methoxyethylribose modified phosphorothioate oligonucleotide.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antisense nucleotide comprises a sequence according to SEQ ID NO:1.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the antisense nucleotide comprises a sequence according to SEQ ID NO:1.