Brain-wide AAV-mediated silencing of prion protein by a compact epigenetic editor
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ABSTRACT: Prion disease is caused by misfolding of the prion protein (PrP) into pathogenic self-propagating conformations, leading to rapid onset dementia and death. However, elimination of endogenous PrP can halt prion disease progression. Here, we describe CHARM, a compact, enzyme-free epigenetic editor capable of silencing transcription through programmable targeted DNA methylation. Using a histone H3 tail-Dnmt3l fusion, CHARM recruits and activates the endogenous DNA methyltransferases, thereby reducing transgene size and bystander effects. When delivered to the mouse brain by an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector, PRNP-targeted CHARM ablates PrP expression across the brain. We temporally limit editor expression by implementing a kinetically-tuned self-silencing approach. CHARM represents a broadly applicable strategy to programmably prevent expression of pathogenic proteins, including those implicated in other neurodegenerative diseases.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE255987 | GEO | 2024/05/03
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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