Abstract: Provided herein are compounds and methods for modulating abnormal repeat expansions of gene sequences. More particularly, provided are inhibitors of RNA and the uses of such inhibitors in regulating nucleotide repeat expansions, e.g., to treat Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1), Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2 (DM2), Fuchs dystrophy, Huntington Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Frontotemporal Dementia.

Abstract: Transcriptomes provide a myriad of potential RNAs that could be the targets of therapeutics or chemical genetic probes of function. Cell permeable small molecules, however, generally do not exploit these targets, owing to the difficulty in the design of high affinity, specific small molecules targeting RNA. As part of a general program to study RNA function using small molecules, we designed bioactive, modularly assembled small molecules that target the non-coding expanded RNA repeat that causes myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), r(CUG)exp. Herein, we present a rigorous study to elucidate features in modularly assembled compounds that afford bioactivity. Different modular assembly scaffolds were investigated including polyamines, ?-peptides, ?-peptides, and peptide tertiary amides (PTAs). Based on activity as assessed by improvement of DM1-associated defects, stability against proteases, cellular permeability, and toxicity, we discovered that constrained backbones, namely PTAs, are optimal.

Abstract: Provided herein are compounds and methods for modulating abnormal repeat expansions of gene sequences. More particularly, provided are inhibitors of RNA and the uses of such inhibitors in regulating nucleotide repeat expansions, e.g., to treat Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1), Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2 (DM2), Fuchs dystrophy, Huntington Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Frontotemporal Dementia.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds and their pharmaceutical compositions according to Formula (I) that are useful for inhibiting RNA toxicity, such as in the treatment of myotonic dystrophy type 1, wherein W1, W2, W3, W4, L1, L2, and Cy are defined herein.

Abstract: Transcriptomes provide a myriad of potential RNAs that could be the targets of therapeutics or chemical genetic probes of function. Cell permeable small molecules, however, generally do not exploit these targets, owing to the difficulty in the design of high affinity, specific small molecules targeting RNA. As part of a general program to study RNA function using small molecules, we designed bioactive, modularly assembled small molecules that target the non-coding expanded RNA repeat that causes myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), r(CUG)exp. Herein, we present a rigorous study to elucidate features in modularly assembled compounds that afford bioactivity. Different modular assembly scaffolds were investigated including polyamines, ?-peptides, ?-peptides, and peptide tertiary amides (PTAs). Based on activity as assessed by improvement of DM1-associated defects, stability against proteases, cellular permeability, and toxicity, we discovered that constrained backbones, namely PTAs, are optimal.

Abstract: To study RNA function using small molecules, we designed bioactive, modularly assembled small molecules that target the noncoding expanded RNA repeat that causes myotonic dystrophy type 1 (Dm1), r(CUG)exp. Different modular assembly scaffolds were investigated including polyamines, alpha-peptides, beta-peptides, and peptide tertiary amides (PT As). Based on activity as assessed by improvement of DM1 -associated defects, stability against proteases, cellular permeability, and toxicity, we discovered that constrained backbones, namely PT As, are optimal.

Abstract: To study RNA function using small molecules, we designed bioactive, modularly assembled small molecules that target the noncoding expanded RNA repeat that causes myotonic dystrophy type 1 (Dm1), r(CUG)exp. Different modular assembly scaffolds were investigated including polyamines, alpha-peptides, beta-peptides, and peptide tertiary amides (PT As). Based on activity as assessed by improvement of DM1-associated defects, stability against proteases, cellular permeability, and toxicity, we discovered that constrained backbones, namely PT As, are optimal.