Tackling the pathogenesis of RNA nuclear retention in myotonic dystrophy

Biol Cell. 2010 Jul 23;102(9):515-23. doi: 10.1042/BC20100040.

Abstract

DM1 (myotonic dystrophy type I) is a common form of muscular dystrophy that affects mainly adults. It is a disease that belongs to the group of defective RNA export diseases, since a major part of the pathogenic mechanism of the disease is the retention of the mutant transcripts in the cell nucleus. The presence of an expanded CUG trinucleotide repeat in the 3'-UTR (3'-untranslated region) of the DMPK (myotonic dystrophy protein kinase) gene causes the attraction of RNA-binding proteins by the nuclear-located mutant transcripts. As a result of the occupation of the RNA-binding proteins, there is defective mis-splicing of several cellular transcripts. This is believed to be a major pathogenic mechanism of the disease and any attempt to repair the activities of the RNA-binding proteins or target the mutant transcripts should be beneficial for the patients. Certain approaches have been described in the literature and they demonstrate progress in various directions. The purpose of the present review is to summarize the successful attempts to tackle the pathogenesis caused by nuclear retention of mutant transcripts in myotonic dystrophy and to discuss the possible gains from such approaches.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Adult
  • Cell Nucleus / genetics
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Myotonic Dystrophy / etiology*
  • Myotonic Dystrophy / genetics
  • Myotonic Dystrophy / therapy
  • Myotonin-Protein Kinase
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger, Stored / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger, Stored / metabolism
  • RNA, Nuclear / genetics
  • RNA, Nuclear / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion*

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • DMPK protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Messenger, Stored
  • RNA, Nuclear
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Myotonin-Protein Kinase
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases