Nuclear RNA foci in the heart in myotonic dystrophy

Circ Res. 2005 Nov 25;97(11):1152-5. doi: 10.1161/01.RES.0000193598.89753.e3. Epub 2005 Oct 27.

Abstract

The disease mechanism underlying myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) pathogenesis in skeletal muscle may involve sequestration of RNA binding proteins in nuclear foci of expanded poly(CUG) RNA. Here we report evidence for a parallel mechanism in the heart. Accumulation of expanded poly(CUG) RNA in nuclear foci is associated with sequestration of muscleblind proteins and abnormal regulation of alternative splicing in DM1 cardiac muscle. A toxic effect of RNA with an expanded repeat may contribute to cardiac disease in DM1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Myotonic Dystrophy / genetics*
  • Myotonin-Protein Kinase
  • NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • RNA, Nuclear / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / analysis
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Sodium Channels / genetics
  • Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion*

Substances

  • DMPK protein, human
  • MBNL1 protein, human
  • MBNL2 protein, human
  • Muscle Proteins
  • NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel
  • RNA, Nuclear
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • SCN5A protein, human
  • Sodium Channels
  • Myotonin-Protein Kinase
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases