Amplifiers co-translationally enhance CFTR biosynthesis via PCBP1-mediated regulation of CFTR mRNA

Danijela Dukovski, Adriana Villella, Cecilia Bastos, Randall King, Daniel Finley, Jeffery W. Kelly, Richard I. Morimoto, F. Ulrich Hartl, Benito Munoz, Po Shun Lee, Marija Zecevic, John Preston Miller*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a recessive disorder caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. We previously described a first-in-class CFTR modulator that functions as an amplifier to selectively increase CFTR expression and function. The amplifier mechanism is distinct from and complementary to corrector and potentiator classes of CFTR modulators. Here we characterize the mechanism by which amplifiers increase CFTR mRNA, protein, and activity. Methods: Biochemical studies elucidated the action of amplifiers on CFTR mRNA abundance and translation and defined the role of an amplifier-binding protein that was identified using chemical proteomics. Results: Amplifiers stabilize CFTR mRNA through a process that requires only the translated sequence of CFTR and involves translational elongation. Amplifiers enrich ER-associated CFTR mRNA and increase its translational efficiency through increasing the fraction of CFTR mRNA associated with polysomes. Pulldowns identified the poly(rC)-binding protein 1 (PCBP1) as directly binding to amplifier. A PCBP1 consensus element was identified within the CFTR open reading frame that binds PCBP1. This sequence proved necessary for amplifier responsiveness. Conclusions: Small molecule amplifiers co-translationally increase CFTR mRNA stability. They enhance translation through addressing the inherently inefficient membrane targeting of CFTR mRNA. Amplifiers bind directly to PCBP1, show enhanced affinity in the presence of bound RNA, and require a PCBP1 consensus element within CFTR mRNA to elicit translational effects. These modulators represent a promising new and mechanistically novel class of CFTR therapeutic. They may be useful as a monotherapy or in combination with other CFTR modulators.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)733-741
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Cystic Fibrosis
Volume19
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2020

Funding

The authors thank Olivia Green for technical assistance, Ken Longo for statistical analysis, Sheila Hauck and Bradley Tait for medicinal chemistry, Matthew Cullen for conjugation of the amplifier beads, Trinh Tat and Jeff Coller for providing the TET-OFF experiment, Huseyin Mehmet for experimental strategies and advice. We would also like to thank the Tissue Procurement and Culturing Core at UNC. We thank Martin Mense, Hermann Bihler and William Skach from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for helpful discussions. This work was funded in part by a Therapeutics Development Award from Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics , Inc. The authors thank Olivia Green for technical assistance, Ken Longo for statistical analysis, Sheila Hauck and Bradley Tait for medicinal chemistry, Matthew Cullen for conjugation of the amplifier beads, Trinh Tat and Jeff Coller for providing the TET-OFF experiment, Huseyin Mehmet for experimental strategies and advice. We would also like to thank the Tissue Procurement and Culturing Core at UNC. We thank Martin Mense, Hermann Bihler and William Skach from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for helpful discussions. This work was funded in part by a Therapeutics Development Award from Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics, Inc.

Keywords

  • Amplifiers
  • CFTR modulators
  • Co-translational regulation
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • MRNA stabilization
  • PCBP1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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