Misregulation of alternative splicing causes pathogenesis in myotonic dystrophy.

N. Muge Kuyumcu-Martinez, Thomas A. Cooper

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

Myotonic dystrophy (DM), the most common form of adult onset muscular dystrophy, affects skeletal muscle, heart, and the central nervous system (CNS). Mortality results primarily from muscle wasting and cardiac arrhythmias. There are two forms of the disease: DM1 and DM2. DM1, which constitutes 98% of cases, is caused by a CTG expansion in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of the DMPK gene. DM2 is caused by a CCTG expansion in the first intron of the ZNF9 gene. RNA containing CUG- or CCUG-expanded repeats are transcribed but are retained in the nucleus in foci. Disease pathogenesis results primarily from a gain of function of the expanded RNAs, which alter developmentally regulated alternative splicing as well as pathways of muscle differentiation. The toxic RNA has been implicated in sequestration of splicing regulators and transcription factors thereby causing specific symptoms of the disease. Here we review the proposed mechanisms for the toxic effects of the expanded repeats and discuss the molecular mechanisms of splicing misregulation and disease pathogenesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)133-159
Number of pages27
JournalProgress in molecular and subcellular biology
Volume44
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Misregulation of alternative splicing causes pathogenesis in myotonic dystrophy.'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this