CANVAS causing AAGGG repeat expansions cause tissue-specific reduction in RFC1 expression and increase sensitivity to DNA damage

Abstract

Biallelic AAGGG expansions in Replication Factor Complex Subunit 1 (RFC1) are associated with cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) and are increasingly recognised as a common cause of adult-onset ataxia and sensory neuropathy. However, the disease-causing mechanisms remain unclear. Here we leveraged in vitro assays, post-mortem brain tissue, patient-derived cell lines and a neuronal Drosophila model to demonstrate that AAGGG expansions are associated with tissue-specific reductions in the expression of RFC1 transcript, along with impaired RFC1 function and increased sensitivity to DNA damage from platinum-based drugs. CRISPR/Cas9 excision of the AAGGG repeat and flanking AluSx3 element normalized RFC1 expression in iPSC-derived neurons and rescued the DNA damage response, providing a framework for future therapeutic strategies. We also show that these biological findings are clinically relevant in heterozygous AAGGG expansion carriers, who display an increased risk and severity of neuropathy with platinum-based chemotherapy.