Alternative splicing plays a role in compensating for loss of gene function

Living organisms have a knack for persisting in the face of challenges. For instance, when genes malfunction, organisms may be able to compensate by activating redundant genes with similar functions, called paralogs.

One example of such compensation are two genes of the muscleblind-like (MBNL) family of RNA-binding proteins that lose their function in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1, the most common cause of adult-onset muscular dystrophy. Loss of MBNL1 increases the levels of its paralog MBNL2 in tissues where protein expression is low, allowing MBNL2 to functionally compensate for MBNL1 loss. In animal models, loss of one paralog results in no or only minor functional consequences, whereas loss of both paralogs leads to a severe condition and lethality.

Although this form of compensation for loss of gene function has been widely observed, the underlying molecular mechanisms and roles in preventing or modifying disease severity are not well understood. In this study, we discovered how loss of MBNL1 leads to the compensatory increase of MBNL2 protein."

Dr. Larissa Nitschke, first author, postdoctoral associate of pathology and immunology in Dr. Thomas A. Cooper's lab at Baylor College of Medicine

MBNL proteins are deeply involved in RNA processing, including alternative splicing, a process that allows cells to make many different proteins from a limited number of genes.

"To make proteins, genes in the DNA are transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into protein. Before RNA is translated into protein, it is processed and the fragments spliced in a certain way," said Cooper, R. Clarence and Irene H. Fulbright Chair and S. Donald Greenberg Chair in Pathology. He also is the corresponding author of the work. "In almost all genes, the RNA is spliced in more than one way. That is alternative splicing; it allows one gene to make many different proteins. It would be like putting together different bracelets by combining a limited number of beads in unique ways."

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Nitschke, Cooper and their colleagues found that loss of MBNL1 leads to the formation of MBNL2 with two new segments spliced to it, called exon 6 and exon 9.

"The inclusion of these exons gives MBNL2 new properties that enable it to compensate for the lack of MBNL1 function," Nitschke said. "Inclusion of exon 6 promotes a more efficient transit of MBNL2 into the nucleus of the cell where this protein conducts its function. Adding exon 9 makes the protein less susceptible to degradation and more stable, which allows it to effectively compensate for MBNL1 loss of function."

The researchers found evidence of redirection of splicing in an animal model of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1, which suggests that the compensatory mechanism also may be active in human patients.

"Our findings could also provide an explanation for the high variability of the disease in terms of its features," said Cooper, a member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor. "Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 can be very severe or mild, even in the same family. Individual differences in the ability to conduct these compensatory measures may explain the differences in severity."

"The discovery of the compensatory mechanism also supports further studies to explore if, similar to the splicing-enhancing drugs in Spinal Muscular Atrophy, the mechanism could be leveraged for therapeutic purposes in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1," Nitschke said.

"We are very excited about our findings," Cooper said. "We uncovered new insights into a little studied biological mechanism that impacts Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 severity but also is applicable to other diseases and how the body maintains the status quo."