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Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) Oligomers for Targeted Disruption of Biomolecular Condensates in ALS/FTD

Award Number: R21NS141767
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/09/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2026

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Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) Oligomers for Targeted Disruption of Biomolecular Condensates in ALS/FTD - PROJECT SUMMARY The formation of biomolecular condensates (BMCs) is an important phenomenon in biology, creating transient compartments that can accelerate biochemical reactions or sequester molecules during times of stress. Aberrations in BMC formation are implicated in a growing number of diseases. Thus, molecular tools that enable researchers to monitor and manipulate BMCs are in great demand. Ideally, these tools could be deployed without engineering the biomolecules that drive BMC formation in order to avoid artifacts introduced by altering the sequence of the RNA or protein components. Our proposal is focused on developing RNA-targeting probes that can be used to (a) fluorescently label RNAs suspected of participating in BMCs and (b) disrupt specific RNAs from entering BMCs. The molecular probes we will use for these experiments are based on peptide nucleic acid (PNA), a synthetic version of DNA in which the natural sugar-phosphodiester backbone is replaced by an extended peptide. Hybridization of the PNA to its RNA target will be used to introduce a fluorescent dye for visualization in microscopy. Moreover, PNA hybridization should prevent that region of the RNA from either binding to a protein or interacting with other RNAs, blocking its incorporation into a BMC. The advantage of this approach is that the RNA target need not be modified in any way, i.e. we will target endogenous RNAs. Additionally, the PNA can be introduced in a reversible manner, meaning it can be removed from the RNA at any time, releasing the RNA to participate in BMC formation when the researcher deems it appropriate. Our model system will be the C9orf72 gene bearing expanded repeats having the sequence G4C2/C4G2. The resulting RNAs, both of which are present due to bidirectional transcription, have been implicated in numerous toxic gain-of-function phenomena that are central to the pathology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). PNAs that can block the entry of these RNAs into BMCs can help assign roles to specific molecular components of these complex, multicomponent condensates. Moreover, since numerous neurodegenerative diseases feature expanded repeats of other sequences, the tools we develop in this project can be readily adapted to other targets and diseases, greatly enhancing the potential impact of our proposed research. Finally, while antisense approaches targeting the C9orf72 RNA have not yet led to viable therapies, it is possible that the high affinity of PNA and a focus on targeting both of the expanded repeat transcripts will offer better outcomes.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $232,953 )
2025	2025	CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY	5000 FORBES AVE	PITTSBURGH	PA	15213	ALLEGHENY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	2	8/5/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$232,953
														Subtotal = $232,953

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $194,809 )
2024	2024	CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY	5000 FORBES AVE	PITTSBURGH	PA	15213	ALLEGHENY	USA	Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders	000	1	9/6/2024	NEW	$194,809
														Subtotal = $194,809

Grand Total All Awards = $427,762

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Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) Oligomers for Targeted Disruption of Biomolecular Condensates in ALS/FTD

Award Number: R21NS141767

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/09/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2026

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