2025-10-08 7:45 pm
Exitron-ASO for ALS/FTLD: Suppressing Aggregation while Maintaining a Function in Nucleus
This antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) sterically blocks the binding hotspots of RNA-binding proteins to reactivate the splicing of an "exitron" within the TDP-43 gene. As a result, it reduces the production of the Intrinsically Disordered Region (IDR) that triggers aggregation, while simultaneously increasing a protective short isoform (ΔIDR). This isoform guides TDP-43 aggregates to be processed via a "Cap & Escort" mechanism. This approach simultaneously achieves the typically conflicting goals of suppressing cytoplasmic aggregation and restoring nuclear function.