Poster Presentation Australasian RNA Biology and Biotechnology Association 2024 Conference

Finding treatments for chromatin disorders: early postnatal interventions to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes (#175)

Hannah Vanyai 1 2 , Quentin Gouil 1 2 , James Lancaster 2 , Amali Cooray 1 2 3 , Lauren Whelan 2 3 , Marco Herold 1 2 3 , Anne Voss 1 2 , Marnie Blewitt 1 2
  1. The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
  2. Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, VIC, Australia
  3. Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia

 Intellectual disability (ID) occurs in 2-3% of newborns, resulting in lifetime of dependency on family and health care systems. ID has traditionally been viewed as untreatable. Recently, this view has been challenged with increasing evidence that the early postnatal period, during which the brain continues to develop, provides a potential therapeutic window. We focus on disorders with ID caused by mutations in chromatin modifying enzymes. These chromatin modifiers regulate gene expression in the developing and maturing brain. The biochemical activity of chromatin modifiers is inherently reversible - for example, DNA can be methylated by DNA methyltransferases and subsequently demethylated through the action of TET enzymes - and we are investigating potential interventions to reverse the biochemical dysfunction that occurs in chromatin-based ID disorders. Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome is a disorder of overgrowth and ID, caused by mutations in the DNA methyltransferase gene, DNMT3A. Using mouse- and cell-based models, we plan to trial targeted mRNA-based approaches to determine whether they may have therapeutic potential to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome. The improvement of a patient’s ID from moderate to mild is expected to increase their chance of inclusion in mainstream schooling and workplaces. Therefore, finding interventions that improve the developmental outcomes of children with ID will substantially improve quality of life for patients and their families.