A stress-induced response complex (SIRC) shuttles miRNAs, siRNAs, and oligonucleotides to the nucleus.

Although some information is available for specific subsets of miRNAs and several factors have been shown to bind oligonucleotides (ONs), no general transport mechanism for these molecules has been identified to date. In this work, we demonstrate that the nuclear transport of ONs, siRNAs, and miRNAs responds to cellular stress. Furthermore, we have identified a stress-induced response complex (SIRC), which includes Ago-1 and Ago-2 in addition to the transcription and splicing regulators YB1, CTCF, FUS, Smad1, Smad3, and Smad4. The SIRC transports endogenous miRNAs, siRNAs, and ONs to the nucleus. We show that cellular stress can significantly increase ON- or siRNA-directed splicing switch events and endogenous miRNA targeting of nuclear RNAs.

Lipophilic 2'-O-Acetal Ester RNAs: Synthesis, Thermal Duplex Stability, Nuclease Resistance, Cellular Uptake, and siRNA Activity after Spontaneous Naked Delivery.

The in vivo application of siRNA depends on its cellular uptake and intracellular release, and this is an unsatisfactorily resolved technical hurdle in medicinal applications. Promising concepts directed towards providing efficient cellular and intracellular delivery include lipophilic chemical modification of siRNA. Here we describe chemistry for the production of modified siRNAs designed to display improved transmembrane transport into human cells while preserving the potency of the RNAi-based inhibitors. We report the synthesis and the biochemical and biophysical characteristics of 2'-O-phenylisobutyryloxymethyl (PiBuOM)-modified siRNAs and their impact on biological activity. In the case of spontaneous cellular uptake of naked PiBuOM-modified siRNA, we observed increased target suppression in human cells relative to unmodified or pivaloyloxymethyl (PivOM)-modified siRNA. We provide evidence of improved spontaneous cellular uptake of naked PiBuOM-modified siRNA and of substantial target suppression in human cells in serum-containing medium.

A Multifunctional LNA Oligonucleotide-Based Strategy Blocks AR Expression and Transactivation Activity in PCa Cells.

The androgen receptor (AR) plays a critical role in the development of prostate cancer (PCa) through the activation of androgen-induced cellular proliferation genes. Thus, blocking AR-mediated transcriptional activation is expected to inhibit the growth and spread of PCa. Using tailor-made splice-switching locked nucleic acid (LNA) oligonucleotides (SSOs), we successfully redirected splicing of the AR precursor (pre-)mRNA and destabilized the transcripts via the introduction of premature stop codons. Furthermore, the SSOs simultaneously favored production of the AR45 mRNA in lieu of the full-length AR. AR45 is an AR isoform that can attenuate the activity of both full-length and oncogenic forms of AR by binding to their common N-terminal domain (NTD), thereby blocking their transactivation potential. A large screen was subsequently used to identify individual SSOs that could best perform this dual function. The selected SSOs powerfully silence AR expression and modulate the expression of AR-responsive cellular genes. This bi-functional strategy that uses a single therapeutic molecule can be the basis for novel PCa treatments. It might also be customized to other types of therapies that require the silencing of one gene and the simultaneous expression of a different isoform.

Oligonucleotides to the (Gene) Rescue: FDA Approvals 2017-2019.

Four decades have passed since oligonucleotides were first used to manipulate gene expression. There were few FDA approvals prior to 2016, mostly of drugs that eventually exhibited poor performance in the market. The aura of their younger siRNA relatives had also faded during the past 15 years. However, several FDA approvals have occurred in the past 4 years, restoring hope that a new era has dawned in oligonucleotide/siRNA clinical therapeutics. Here, we review the field of oligonucleotide therapeutics and provide an update on FDA approvals of oligonucleotides from 2017 until the second quarter of 2019. We take into consideration the ethical issues looming over the still somewhat limited efficacy of these molecules, the toxicity of treatment, and the exorbitant cost of these therapeutic agents, which limits accessibility for many.