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AssigneeIowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorsRavindra N. Singh, Natalia N. Singh
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The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for blocking the effect of the intronic inhibitory splicing region of intron 7 of the SMN2 gene. The compositions and methods of the instant invention include short oligonucleotide reagents (e.g., oligoribonucleotides) that effectively target sites in the SMN2 pre-mRNA, thereby modulating the splicing of SMN2 pre-mRNA to include exon 7 in the processed transcript. The short target regions are 8-mers and 5-mers and also include the identification of a single nucleotide base that is essential for initiating a long distance stearic inhibitory interactions as well as novel targets distant from intron 7 which block the intronic inhibitory splicing of the same. These short target regions and concomitant inhibitory blocking oligonucleotides are less expensive and easier to manufacture and are small enough to cross the blood brain barrier.
A method of enhancing the level of exon 7-containing SMN2 mRNA relative to exon-deleted SMN2 mRNA in a cell or cell extract, comprising contacting the cell or cell extract with an oligonucleotide which is complementary to nucleotide 10C and 3 or more bases 5′ thereof of intron 7 of the SMN2 gene, such that the level of exon 7-containing SMN2 mRNA relative to exon-deleted SMN2 mRNA in the cell or cell extract is enhanced.
A method of enhancing the level of exon 7-containing SMN2 mRNA relative to exon-deleted SMN2 mRNA in an organism, comprising administering to the same an oligonucleotide which is complementary to nucleotide 10C and 3 or more bases 5′ thereof of intron 7 of the SMN2 gene, such that the level of exon 7-containing SMN2 mRNA relative to exon-deleted SMN2 mRNA in the organism extract is enhanced.
A method of treating spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in a patient, comprising administering to the patient an oligonucleotide which is complementary to nucleotide 10C and 3 or more bases 5′ thereof of intron 7 of the SMN2 gene, in a dose effective to enhance the level of exon 7-containing SMN2 mRNA relative to exon-deleted SMN2 mRNA in cells of the patient, such that SMA in the patient is treated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.