Preclinical studies of a novel epigenetic therapy for Prader-Willi syndrome

Despite the significant progress in understanding the molecular basis underlying Prader-Willi syndrome, little advance has been achieved in developing the treatment specifically targeting to the molecular defect. The SNORD116 between the SNRPN and UBE3A genes is important for the major features of PWS. The host transcripts and SNORD116 in the maternal chromosome are transcriptionally silenced by an epigenetic mechanism involving the PWS imprinting center (PWS-IC). The expression of SNORD116 cluster is processed from continuous transcripts initiated from the PWS-IC/promote region of SNRPN. One attractive strategy of developing the molecular therapy for PWS is to activate the expression of paternally expressed genes including SNORD116 from the maternal chromosome. Through a high content screening of ~10000 small molecules in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) isolated from mice carrying maternal Snrpn-EGPF fusion protein, we have identified and validated two compounds, UNC638 and UNC0642, that could activate the expression of both Snrpn and Snord116 in human cultured PWS cells. Most importantly, UNC0642 can activate the expression of Snrpn and Snord116 in the PWS mouse model with a paternal deletion from Snrpn to Ube3a (SUp-/m+). UNC-618 and UNC0642 belongs to a class of histone H3K9 methyltransferase inhibitors. Our exciting data clearly support a translational potential of this project. The ultimately goal is to launch a human trial using UNC0642 and its derivative in human PWS. The specific objective of this study is to conduct an initial preclinical study and evaluate the feasibility of epigenetic therapy in PWS. Our hypothesis is that the treatment of UNC-0642 at different ages and different routes in PWS mouse models will not only activate the expression of Snrpn and SnoRNAs from the maternal chromosome but also correct abnormal phenotypes and has minimal toxicity and off-target effect. The proposed study is certainly significant because it will lead to the development of molecular specific therapeutic intervention and first human clinical trial for PWS, an important addition to research on genetic therapy for PWS.

Research Outcomes: Public Summary

We discovered for the first time that UNC462, a small molecule and G9a inhibitor, is capable of reactivating the critical genes of PWS from the maternal chromosome in both human PWS patient derived cells and PWS mouse model. The treatment could correct the perinatal lethality associated with PWS mouse model but did not show any significant toxicity in normal wild type mice. The results provide the support to explore the first epigenetic therapy in PWS via modifying epigenetic status.

Research Outcomes: Publications

Epigenetic therapy of Prader-Willi syndrome. Kim Y, Wang SE, Jiang YH.  Transl Res. 2019;208:105-118. doi:10.1016/j.trsl.2019.02.012

Potential of Epigenetic Therapy for Prader-Willi Syndrome. Wang SE, Jiang YH. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences. 2019 Sep; 40(9):605-608.

Targeting the histone methyltransferase G9a activates imprinted genes and improves survival of a mouse model of Prader-Willi syndrome. Kim Y, Lee HM, Xiong Y, Sciaky N, Hulbert SW, Cao X, Everitt JI, Jin J, Roth BL, Jiang YH. Nature Medicine.;23(2):213-222. 2017.

Cellular and Circuitry Bases of Autism: Lessons Learned from the Temporospatial Manipulation of Autism Genes in the Brain. Hulbert SW, Jiang YH.  Neuroscience Bulletin. 2017 Apr;33(2):205-218. 

Monogenic mouse models of autism spectrum disorders: Common mechanisms and missing links. Hulbert SW, Jiang YH. Neuroscience. 2016 May 3;321:3-23.

Funded Year:

2016

Awarded to:

Yong-hui Jiang, MD, PhD

Amount:

$108,000

Institution:

Duke University

Research Outcomes:

https://www.fpwr.org/other-research-outcomes/nih-grant-awarded-to-fpwr-funded-researcher-yong-hui-jiang-2/

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