Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions that inhibit microsatellite promoted expression of deleterious expansions by targeting expanded CTG DNA as well as methods using such compositions for use in treating or ameliorating the effects of a medical condition involving trinucleotide repeats in a subject. In embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for treating a medical condition involving trinucleotide repeats, including a disease such as DM1, in a subject in need thereof by administering to the subject an effective amount of a modified polycyclic compound of the present disclosure. Processes for synthesizing modified polycyclic compounds that rescue mis-splicing at low nanomolar concentration with negligible toxicity are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are nucleic acid constructs encoding RNA molecules comprising one or more introns that can be regulated (e.g., autoregulated), and that are useful for delivery in a recombinant viral vector. Aspects of the application provide compositions and methods for delivering regulated (e.g., auto-regulated) gem expression constructs to a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating diseases characterized by expanded microsatellite repeats by impeding or inhibiting transcription of expanded microsatellite repeats.

Abstract: Methods are provided herein for treatment of myotonic dystrophy and other toxic RNA diseases in a subject. In some examples, the method comprises administration of a compound that binds a nucleotide repeat expansion in a ribonucleic acid molecule, thereby treating the disease. In additional examples, the method comprises administration of a compound that disrupts binding of muscleblind-like proteins to an RNA nucleotide repeat expansion. Compounds for use in the disclosed method include pentamidine or heptamidine or derivatives thereof. Representative compounds are described herein.

Abstract: Methods are provided herein for treatment of myotonic dystrophy and other toxic RNA diseases in a subject. In some examples, the method comprises administration of a compound that binds a nucleotide repeat expansion in a ribonucleic acid molecule, thereby treating the disease. In additional examples, the method comprises administration of a compound that disrupts binding of muscleblind-like proteins to an RNA nucleotide repeat expansion. Compounds for use in the disclosed method include pentamidine or heptamidine or derivatives thereof. Representative compounds are described herein.