Selective silencing of mutated mRNAs in DM1 by using modified hU7-snRNAs

We describe a function for modified human U7 small nuclear RNAs (hU7-snRNAs) distinct from modification of pre-mRNA splicing events. Engineered hU7-snRNAs containing a poly-CAG antisense sequence targeting the expanded CUG repeats of mutant DMPK transcripts in myotonic dystrophy caused specific degradation of pathogenic DMPK mRNAs without affecting the products of wild-type DMPK alleles. Abolition of the RNA gain-of-function toxicity that is responsible for pathogenesis supports the use of hU7-snRNAs for gene silencing in RNA-dominant disorders in which expanded repeats are expressed.