Maria M. Mangos

Bio: Maria M. Mangos is an academic researcher from Structural Genomics Consortium. The author has contributed to research in topics: Oligonucleotide & Nucleic acid. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 13 publications receiving 1491 citations. Previous affiliations of Maria M. Mangos include National Research Council & McGill University.

Efficient RNase H-directed cleavage of RNA promoted by antisense DNA or 2'F-ANA constructs containing acyclic nucleotide inserts.

Abstract: The ability of modified antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) containing acyclic interresidue units to support RNase H-promoted cleavage of complementary RNA is described. Manipulation of the backbone and sugar geometries in these conformationally labile monomers shows great benefits in the enzymatic recognition of the nucleic acid hybrids, while highlighting the importance of local strand conformation on the hydrolytic efficiency of the enzyme more conclusively. Our results demonstrate that the duplexes support remarkably high levels of enzymatic degradation when treated with human RNase HII, making them efficient mimics of the native substrates. Furthermore, interesting linker-dependent modulation of enzymatic activity is observed during in vitro assays, suggesting a potential role for this AON class in an RNase H-dependent pathway of controlling RNA expression. Additionally, the butyl-modified 2'F-ANA AONs described in this work constitute the first examples of a nucleic acid species capable of eliciting high RNase H activity while possessing a highly flexible molecular architecture at predetermined sites along the AON.

PRMT5 inhibition disrupts splicing and stemness in glioblastoma

Abstract: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a deadly cancer in which cancer stem cells (CSCs) sustain tumor growth and contribute to therapeutic resistance Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) has recently emerged as a promising target in GBM Using two orthogonal-acting inhibitors of PRMT5 (GSK591 or LLY-283), we show that pharmacological inhibition of PRMT5 suppresses the growth of a cohort of 46 patient-derived GBM stem cell cultures, with the proneural subtype showing greater sensitivity We show that PRMT5 inhibition causes widespread disruption of splicing across the transcriptome, particularly affecting cell cycle gene products We identify a GBM splicing signature that correlates with the degree of response to PRMT5 inhibition Importantly, we demonstrate that LLY-283 is brain-penetrant and significantly prolongs the survival of mice with orthotopic patient-derived xenografts Collectively, our findings provide a rationale for the clinical development of brain penetrant PRMT5 inhibitors as treatment for GBM

Acyclic linker-containing oligonucleotides and uses thereof

Abstract: Oligonucleotides having an internal acyclic linker residue, and the preparation and uses thereof, are described. Such uses include the preparation of acyclic linker-containing antisense oligonucleotides, and their use for the prevention or depletion of function of a target nucleic acid of interest, such as RNA, in a system. Such a prevention or depletion of .function includes, for example, the prevention or inhibition of the expression, reverse transcription and/or replication of the target nucleic acid, as well as the cleavage/degradation of the target nucleic acid. Accordingly, an oligonucleotide of the invention is useful for analytical and therapeutic methods and uses in which the function of a target nucleic acid is implicated, as well as a component of commercial packages corresponding to such methods and uses.

A SARS-CoV-2 protein interaction map reveals targets for drug repurposing.

Abstract: A newly described coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has infected over 2.3 million people, led to the death of more than 160,000 individuals and caused worldwide social and economic disruption1,2. There are no antiviral drugs with proven clinical efficacy for the treatment of COVID-19, nor are there any vaccines that prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2, and efforts to develop drugs and vaccines are hampered by the limited knowledge of the molecular details of how SARS-CoV-2 infects cells. Here we cloned, tagged and expressed 26 of the 29 SARS-CoV-2 proteins in human cells and identified the human proteins that physically associated with each of the SARS-CoV-2 proteins using affinity-purification mass spectrometry, identifying 332 high-confidence protein–protein interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and human proteins. Among these, we identify 66 druggable human proteins or host factors targeted by 69 compounds (of which, 29 drugs are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, 12 are in clinical trials and 28 are preclinical compounds). We screened a subset of these in multiple viral assays and found two sets of pharmacological agents that displayed antiviral activity: inhibitors of mRNA translation and predicted regulators of the sigma-1 and sigma-2 receptors. Further studies of these host-factor-targeting agents, including their combination with drugs that directly target viral enzymes, could lead to a therapeutic regimen to treat COVID-19. A human–SARS-CoV-2 protein interaction map highlights cellular processes that are hijacked by the virus and that can be targeted by existing drugs, including inhibitors of mRNA translation and predicted regulators of the sigma receptors.

Epigenetic protein families: a new frontier for drug discovery

Abstract: Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is a dynamic and reversible process that establishes normal cellular phenotypes but also contributes to human diseases. At the molecular level, epigenetic regulation involves hierarchical covalent modification of DNA and the proteins that package DNA, such as histones. Here, we review the key protein families that mediate epigenetic signalling through the acetylation and methylation of histones, including histone deacetylases, protein methyltransferases, lysine demethylases, bromodomain-containing proteins and proteins that bind to methylated histones. These protein families are emerging as druggable classes of enzymes and druggable classes of protein-protein interaction domains. In this article, we discuss the known links with disease, basic molecular mechanisms of action and recent progress in the pharmacological modulation of each class of proteins.

Targeting bromodomains: epigenetic readers of lysine acetylation

Abstract: Lysine acetylation is a key mechanism that regulates chromatin structure; aberrant acetylation levels have been linked to the development of several diseases. Acetyl-lysine modifications create docking sites for bromodomains, which are small interaction modules found on diverse proteins, some of which have a key role in the acetylation-dependent assembly of transcriptional regulator complexes. These complexes can then initiate transcriptional programmes that result in phenotypic changes. The recent discovery of potent and highly specific inhibitors for the BET (bromodomain and extra-terminal) family of bromodomains has stimulated intensive research activity in diverse therapeutic areas, particularly in oncology, where BET proteins regulate the expression of key oncogenes and anti-apoptotic proteins. In addition, targeting BET bromodomains could hold potential for the treatment of inflammation and viral infection. Here, we highlight recent progress in the development of bromodomain inhibitors, and their potential applications in drug discovery.

The current state and future directions of RNAi-based therapeutics.

Abstract: The RNA interference (RNAi) pathway regulates mRNA stability and translation in nearly all human cells. Small double-stranded RNA molecules can efficiently trigger RNAi silencing of specific genes, but their therapeutic use has faced numerous challenges involving safety and potency. However, August 2018 marked a new era for the field, with the US Food and Drug Administration approving patisiran, the first RNAi-based drug. In this Review, we discuss key advances in the design and development of RNAi drugs leading up to this landmark achievement, the state of the current clinical pipeline and prospects for future advances, including novel RNAi pathway agents utilizing mechanisms beyond post-translational RNAi silencing.