Biomaterial Database

Rescue of dystrophin mRNA of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by inducing exon skipping. 2005

M Matsuo, and Y Takeshima

Department of Pediatrics, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo, Japan. matsuo@kobe-u.ac.jp

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal muscle-wasting disease, and its victims usually succumb in their twenties. Many studies, including investigations into gene-replacement therapy, have been conducted in a search for a treatment for DMD, and the most promising treatment to date is rescue of mutant dystrophin mRNA by induction of exon skipping. On the basis of results from the molecular analysis of dystrophin Kobe, we propose a treatment for DMD in which antisense oligonucleotides induce exon skipping to edit out-of-frame dystrophin mRNA into in-frame, thereby converting severe DMD to a milder form. Here we review the progress of development of this alternative treatment, with a special focus on dystrophin Kobe.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D005091	Exons	The parts of a transcript of a split GENE remaining after the INTRONS are removed. They are spliced together to become a MESSENGER RNA or other functional RNA.	Mini-Exon,Exon,Mini Exon,Mini-Exons
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012326	RNA Splicing	The ultimate exclusion of nonsense sequences or intervening sequences (introns) before the final RNA transcript is sent to the cytoplasm.	RNA, Messenger, Splicing,Splicing, RNA,RNA Splicings,Splicings, RNA
D016189	Dystrophin	A muscle protein localized in surface membranes which is the product of the Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy gene. Individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy usually lack dystrophin completely while those with Becker muscular dystrophy have dystrophin of an altered size. It shares features with other cytoskeletal proteins such as SPECTRIN and alpha-actinin but the precise function of dystrophin is not clear. One possible role might be to preserve the integrity and alignment of the plasma membrane to the myofibrils during muscle contraction and relaxation. MW 400 kDa.
D017353	Gene Deletion	A genetic rearrangement through loss of segments of DNA or RNA, bringing sequences which are normally separated into close proximity. This deletion may be detected using cytogenetic techniques and can also be inferred from the phenotype, indicating a deletion at one specific locus.	Deletion, Gene,Deletions, Gene,Gene Deletions
D018390	Gene Targeting	The integration of exogenous DNA into the genome of an organism at sites where its expression can be suitably controlled. This integration occurs as a result of homologous recombination.	Gene Targetings,Targeting, Gene,Targetings, Gene
D020319	Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense	Short fragments of DNA that are used to alter the function of target RNAs or DNAs to which they hybridize.	Antisense Oligodeoxyribonucleotides,Anti-Sense Oligodeoxyribonucleotides,Antisense OligoDNA,Oligodeoxyribonucleotide, Antisense,Anti Sense Oligodeoxyribonucleotides,Antisense Oligodeoxyribonucleotide,OligoDNA, Antisense,Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Anti-Sense
D020388	Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne	An X-linked recessive muscle disease caused by an inability to synthesize DYSTROPHIN, which is involved with maintaining the integrity of the sarcolemma. Muscle fibers undergo a process that features degeneration and regeneration. Clinical manifestations include proximal weakness in the first few years of life, pseudohypertrophy, cardiomyopathy (see MYOCARDIAL DISEASES), and an increased incidence of impaired mentation. Becker muscular dystrophy is a closely related condition featuring a later onset of disease (usually adolescence) and a slowly progressive course. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1415)	Becker Muscular Dystrophy,Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy,Muscular Dystrophy, Becker,Muscular Dystrophy, Pseudohypertrophic,Becker's Muscular Dystrophy,Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, 3B,Cardiomyopathy, Dilated, X-Linked,Childhood Muscular Dystrophy, Pseudohypertrophic,Childhood Pseudohypertrophic Muscular Dystrophy,Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy,Duchenne-Becker Muscular Dystrophy,Duchenne-Type Progressive Muscular Dystrophy,Muscular Dystrophy Pseudohypertrophic Progressive, Becker Type,Muscular Dystrophy, Becker Type,Muscular Dystrophy, Childhood, Pseudohypertrophic,Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne Type,Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne and Becker Types,Muscular Dystrophy, Pseudohypertrophic Progressive, Becker Type,Muscular Dystrophy, Pseudohypertrophic Progressive, Duchenne Type,Muscular Dystrophy, Pseudohypertrophic, Childhood,Progressive Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne Type,Pseudohypertrophic Childhood Muscular Dystrophy,Pseudohypertrophic Muscular Dystrophy, Childhood,Duchenne Becker Muscular Dystrophy,Duchenne Type Progressive Muscular Dystrophy,Muscular Dystrophy, Becker's,Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne-Becker,Pseudohypertrophic Muscular Dystrophy