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  • Research and Graduate Studies

Promising New Drug Could Help Treat Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Chris Lorson and his team tested a new molecule that was found to be highly effective in animal models exhibiting spinal muscular atrophy. Now, testing of that compound is leading to a better prognosis for mice with the disease and the possibility of potential drugs. Credit: Roger Meissen, BLSC
Chris Lorson and his team tested a new molecule that was found to be highly effective in animal models exhibiting spinal muscular atrophy. Now, testing of that compound is leading to a better prognosis for mice with the disease and the possibility of potential drugs. Credit: Roger Meissen, BLSC

According to studies, approximately one out of every 40 individuals in the United States is a carrier of the gene responsible for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a neurodegenerative disease that causes muscles to weaken over time. Researchers at the University of Missouri developed a new molecule in April 2014 that was found to be highly effective in animal models exhibiting SMA. Now, testing of that compound is leading to a better prognosis for mice with the disease and the possibility of potential drugs that will improve outcomes for patients with SMA.

“Our team has been fine-tuning a potential therapeutic for SMA and what it does,” said Chris Lorson, an investigator in the Bond Life Sciences Center and a professor of veterinary pathobiology in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. “It’s a type of molecule called an antisense oligonucleotide, or ASO, that essentially is synthetic string of nucleic acid that binds a specific sequence in the gene.”

In individuals affected by SMA, the survival motor neuron-1 (SMN1) gene is mutated and lacks the ability to process a key protein that helps neurons function. Muscles that control walking or even lifting an arm often are profoundly affected as well as muscles important for breathing. Fortunately, humans have a nearly identical copy gene called SMN2, however, SMN2 normally only makes a small amount of the correct SMN protein. Lorson’s compound targets SMN2 and effectively “turns the volume up” for SMN2, allowing it to make more of the correct SMN protein.

“Our current treatment helps the body create a backup mechanism to combat the disease and extends survival in mice with SMA from just 13 days to a little over five months after only one injection at birth,” Lorson said. “This treatment helps produce the right form of SMN, the one that was only produced at very low levels before.”

Lorson stressed that his lab’s achievement does not promise a cure for SMA and that it is unlikely a single compound will address the full gamut of symptoms. However, by combining therapies currently being researched, a better prognosis could be on the horizon, Lorson said.

The early-stage results of this research are promising. If additional studies are successful within the next few years, these compounds may be tested in human clinical trials with the hope of developing new treatments for SMA.

The study, “Optimization of Morpholino Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeting the Intronic Repressor Element1 in Spinal Muscular Atrophy,” recently was accepted for publication in Molecular Therapy. Previous funding was received from CureSMA. Erkan Osman, a postdoctoral fellow and lead author on this publication working in Lorson’s lab is funded by FightSMA and the Gwendolyn Strong Foundation. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding agencies.

Published by Mizzou News, 329 Jesse Hall, Columbia, MO 65211

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Giving to the MU College of Veterinary Medicine

Giving to the College of Veterinary MedicineThe MU College of Veterinary Medicine is Missouri’s only institution that confers the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Thank you for exploring how you can partner with us to make a positive difference in the lives of animals and people.

Whether your interest in supporting our mission to teach, heal, discover and serve is inspired by care your pet received, the desire to help less fortunate animals and their families, an interest in helping the next generation of veterinarians pursue their dreams, or the wish to be a part of a medical breakthrough, we are grateful for your thoughtful consideration. We have many programs that will benefit from additional financial support.

Learn more about how your gift can help the College of Veterinary Medicine.

BIOMED Online

In addition to the four-year professional curriculum leading to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, the college offers a variety of online (BIOMED) courses. Courses serve as electives for other degree programs, a component to the online health science and bachelor of general studies degrees, as partial requirements in the MU Pre-veterinary Medicine Scholars Program, and to earn either a thesis or non-thesis master’s degree. BIOMED courses are also recommended electives in meeting the requirements to apply for a DVM program.

University of Missouri Veterinary Online Programs/BIOMED Online

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