Spliceosome-mediated RNA trans-splicing as a tool for gene therapy.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
We have developed RNA molecules capable of effecting spliceosome-mediated RNA trans-splicing reactions with a target messenger RNA precursor (pre-mRNA). Targeted trans-splicing was demonstrated in a HeLa nuclear extract, cultured human cells, and H1299 human lung cancer tumors in athymic mice. Trans-splicing between a cancer-associated pre-mRNA encoding the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin gene 6 and pre-trans-splicing molecule (PTM) RNA was accurate both in vitro and in vivo. Comparison of targeted versus nontargeted trans-splicing revealed a moderate level of specificity, which was improved by the addition of an internal inverted repeat encompassing the PTM splice site. Competition between cis- and trans-splicing demonstrated that cis-splicing can be inhibited by trans-splicing. RNA repair in a splicing model of a nonfunctional lacZ transcript was effected in cells by a PTM, which restored significant beta-galactosidase activity. These observations suggest that spliceosome-mediated RNA trans-splicing may represent a general approach for reprogramming the sequence of targeted transcripts, providing a novel approach to gene therapy.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Puttaraju, M; Jamison, SF; Mansfield, SG; Garcia-Blanco, MA; Mitchell, LG
Published Date
- March 1999
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 17 / 3
Start / End Page
- 246 - 252
PubMed ID
- 10096291
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 1087-0156
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1038/6986
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States