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Towards Uncovering the Splicing Code of the Gigantic Gene Titin in Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Project description

An integrated approach to titin alternative splicing in familial dilated cardiomyopathy

Mutations in the sarcomeric protein titin (TTN) are associated with familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and alternative splicing of TTN is causally linked to DCM. The alternative splicing of TTN is regulated by the RBM20 protein, the mutations of which are linked to aggressive DCM. The EU-funded TITINmap project aims to elucidate RBM20-mediated alternative splicing of TTN by developing a means to detect all transcript isoforms produced by the 364 exons of TTN. Combining this approach with complementary stem cell-based assays will allow analysis of the repertoire of TTN isoforms associated with disease-relevant mutations in RBM20. The project’s ultimate goal is to produce a comprehensive map of TTN splicing, by integrating the data of its isoforms and regulatory proteins.

Objective

The sarcomeric protein titin (TTN) is mutated in 30% of patients with familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a common heart disease that is a global threat to the aging society. Aberrant alternative splicing of TTN is causally linked to DCM, therefore, to understand mechanisms of TTN splicing is crucial for developing therapeutic options, which so far do not exist for DCM. RBM20, a protein that regulates alternative splicing of TTN, is also mutated in many patients with an aggressive form of DCM. How RBM20 mediates alternative splicing of TTN is largely unknown. Due to its gigantic size, TTN mRNA is often precluded from transcriptome-wide single-cell analysis. Here, I aim to understand alternative splicing of TTN mediated by RBM20 on a single-cell level. To this end, I propose to develop a method for the detection of all transcript isoforms that can be produced by the 364 exons of TTN. Using this tool, termed TITIN-seq, together with complementary stem cell-based assays, I seek to analyze changes in the repertoire of TTN isoforms upon disease-relevant mutations in the RBM20 gene. Moreover, TITIN-seq is used to identify novel splice regulators of TTN, which, together with RBM20, could complete the picture of alternative splicing of TTN. The overarching goal is to construct a comprehensive map of TTN splicing by integrating data of all its isoforms in single cells and its regulatory proteins. I envision that knowledge of such a splice map can be exploited for developing therapeutic strategies to revert aberrant splicing of TTN in patients with DCM.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020

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Coordinator

EUROPEAN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY LABORATORY
Net EU contribution
€ 176 036,16
Address
Meyerhofstrasse 1
69117 Heidelberg
Germany
Region
Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Heidelberg, Stadtkreis
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 176 036,16

Partners (1)