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US20230250435A1 - Pcsk9 targeting oligonucleotides for treating hypercholesterolemia and related conditions - Google Patents

Pcsk9 targeting oligonucleotides for treating hypercholesterolemia and related conditions Download PDF

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US20230250435A1
US20230250435A1 US18/060,406 US202218060406A US2023250435A1 US 20230250435 A1 US20230250435 A1 US 20230250435A1 US 202218060406 A US202218060406 A US 202218060406A US 2023250435 A1 US2023250435 A1 US 2023250435A1
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oligonucleotide
nucleotides
pcsk9
nucleotide
antisense strand
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Henryk T. Dudek
Jihye PARK
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Dicerna Pharmaceuticals Inc
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    • C12N15/113Non-coding nucleic acids modulating the expression of genes, e.g. antisense oligonucleotides; Antisense DNA or RNA; Triplex- forming oligonucleotides; Catalytic nucleic acids, e.g. ribozymes; Nucleic acids used in co-suppression or gene silencing
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    • C12Y304/21061Kexin (3.4.21.61), i.e. proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9

Definitions

  • the present application relates to oligonucleotides and uses thereof, particularly uses relating to the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof.
  • Cholesterol is one of three major classes of lipids manufactured by animal cells and used to construct cell membranes. Cholesterol is water insoluble and transported in the blood plasma within protein particles (lipoproteins). Any lipoprotein (e.g., very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL)) may carry cholesterol, but elevated levels of non-HDL cholesterol (most particularly LDL-cholesterol) are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease). This type of elevated cholesterol is known as hypercholesterolemia. Hypercholesterolemia can lead to the deposition of plaques on artery walls, known as atherosclerosis.
  • VLDL very low density lipoprotein
  • LDL low density lipoprotein
  • IDL intermediate density lipoprotein
  • HDL high density lipoprotein
  • hypercholesterolemia Hypercholesterolemia can lead to the deposition of plaques on artery walls,
  • Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-9 (also known as PCSK9) is a serine protease that indirectly regulates plasma LDL cholesterol levels by controlling both hepatic and extrahepatic LDL receptor (LDLR) expression at the plasma membrane. Decreased expression of the PCSK9 protein increases expression of the LDLR receptor, thereby decreasing plasma LDL cholesterol and the resultant hypercholesterolemia and/or atherosclerosis as well as complications arising from the same.
  • RNAi oligonucleotides have been developed for selectively inhibiting PCSK9 expression in a subject.
  • the RNAi oligonucleotides are useful for reducing PCSK9 activity, and thereby decreasing or preventing hypercholesterolemia (high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol), atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof.
  • key regions of PCSK9 mRNA referred to as hotspots
  • hotspots key regions of PCSK9 mRNA have been identified herein that are particularly amenable to targeting using such oligonucleotide-based approaches (See Example 1).
  • the oligonucleotides for reducing expression of PCSK9.
  • the oligonucleotides comprise an antisense strand comprising a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, 1193-1232, 1257-1265, or 1269-1271.
  • the oligonucleotides further comprise a sense strand that comprises a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453, 907-1029, 1153-1192, 1248-1256, or 1266-1268.
  • the antisense strand consists of a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, 1193-1232, 1257-1265, or 1269-1271.
  • the sense strand consists of a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453, 907-1029, 1153-1192, 1248-1256, or 1266-1268.
  • One aspect of the present disclosure provides oligonucleotides for reducing expression of PCSK9, in which the oligonucleotides comprise an antisense strand of 15 to 30 nucleotides in length.
  • the antisense strand has a region of complementarity to a target sequence of PCSK9 as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1233-1244.
  • the region of complementarity is at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, or at least 21 contiguous nucleotides in length.
  • the region of complementarity is fully complementary to the target sequence of PCSK9.
  • the region of complementarity is at least 19 contiguous nucleotides in length.
  • the sense strand comprises a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453, 907-1029, or 1153-1192. In some embodiments, the sense strand consists of a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453, 907-1029, or 1153-1192. In some embodiments, the antisense strand comprises a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, or 1193-1232. In some embodiments, the antisense strand consists of a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, or 1193-1232.
  • the antisense strand is 19 to 27 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the antisense strand is 21 to 27 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide further comprises a sense strand of 15 to 40 nucleotides in length, in which the sense strand forms a duplex region with the antisense strand. In some embodiments, the sense strand is 19 to 40 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the duplex region is at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, or at least 22 nucleotides in length.
  • the antisense strand is 27 nucleotides in length and the sense strand is 25 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the antisense strand and sense strand form a duplex region of 25 nucleotides in length.
  • an oligonucleotide comprises an antisense strand and a sense strand that are each in a range of 21 to 23 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide comprises a duplex structure in a range of 19 to 21 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide comprises a 3′-overhang sequence of one or more nucleotides in length, in which the 3′-overhang sequence is present on the antisense strand, the sense strand, or the antisense strand and sense strand.
  • an oligonucleotide further comprises a 3′-overhang sequence on the antisense strand of two nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide comprises a 3′-overhang sequence of two nucleotides in length, in which the 3′-overhang sequence is present on the antisense strand, and in which the sense strand is 21 nucleotides in length and the antisense strand is 23 nucleotides in length, such that the sense strand and antisense strand form a duplex of 21 nucleotides in length.
  • an oligonucleotide for reducing expression of PCSK9 comprising an antisense strand and a sense strand, in which the antisense strand is 21 to 27 nucleotides in length and has a region of complementarity to PCSK9, in which the sense strand comprises at its 3′-end a stem-loop set forth as: S 1 -L-S 2 , in which S 1 is complementary to S 2 , and in which L forms a loop between S 1 and S 2 of 3 to 5 nucleotides in length, and in which the antisense strand and the sense strand form a duplex structure of at least 19 nucleotides in length but are not covalently linked.
  • the sense strand comprises at its 3′-end a stem-loop set forth as: S 1 -L-S 2 , in which S 1 is complementary to S 2 , and in which L forms a loop between S 1 and S 2 of 3 to 5 nucleotides in length.
  • the region of complementarity is fully complementary to at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, or at least 21 contiguous nucleotides of PCSK9 mRNA.
  • L is a tetraloop.
  • L is 4 nucleotides in length.
  • L comprises a sequence set forth as GAAA.
  • an oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified nucleotide.
  • the modified nucleotide comprises a 2′-modification.
  • the 2′-modification is a modification selected from: 2′-aminoethyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-methyl, 2′-O-methoxyethyl, and 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro- ⁇ -d-arabinonucleic acid.
  • all of the nucleotides of an oligonucleotide are modified.
  • an oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified internucleotide linkage.
  • the at least one modified internucleotide linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage.
  • the 4′-carbon of the sugar of the 5′-nucleotide of the antisense strand comprises a phosphate analog.
  • the phosphate analog is oxymethylphosphonate, vinylphosphonate, or malonylphosphonate.
  • each targeting ligand comprises a carbohydrate, amino sugar, cholesterol, polypeptide, or lipid.
  • each targeting ligand comprises a N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) moiety.
  • the GalNac moiety is a monovalent GalNAc moiety, a bivalent GalNAc moiety, a trivalent GalNAc moiety, or a tetravalent GalNAc moiety.
  • up to 4 nucleotides of L of the stem-loop are each conjugated to a monovalent GalNAc moiety.
  • a bi-valent, tri-valent, or tetravalent GalNac moiety is conjugated to a single nucleotide, e.g., of the nucleotides of L of a stem loop.
  • the targeting ligand comprises an aptamer.
  • Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a composition comprising an oligonucleotide of the present disclosure and an excipient.
  • Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method comprising administering a composition of the present disclosure to a subject.
  • the method results in a decrease in level or severity of, or results in prevention of, hypercholesterolemia (high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol), atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease), angina, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, heart palpitations, stroke (i.e., death of brain cells resulting from insufficient blood and oxygen flow to the brain), feelings of weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, dizziness, difficulty in walking or standing up straight, blurred vision, numbness of the face, arms, and legs, severe headaches, loss of consciousness, peripheral artery disease, and/or kidney problems (e.g., chronic kidney disease).
  • an oligonucleotide for reducing expression of PCSK9 comprising a sense strand of 15 to 40 nucleotides in length and an antisense strand of 15 to 30 nucleotides in length, in which the sense strand forms a duplex region with the antisense strand, in which the sense strand comprises a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453, 907-1029, 1153-1192, 1248-1256, or 1266-1268 and the antisense strand comprises a complementary sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, 1193-1232, 1257-1265, or 1269-1271.
  • the oligonucleotide comprises a pair of sense and antisense strands selected from a row of the table set forth in Table 4.
  • FIGS. 1 A and 1 B are graphs showing the percentage of PCSK9 mRNA remaining after a screen of 576 PCSK9 oligonucleotides in Huh-7 cells.
  • the nucleotide position in NM_174936.3 that corresponds to the 3′ end of the sense strand of each siRNA is indicated on the x axis.
  • FIGS. 2 A- 2 D are a set of graphs showing the percentage of mRNA remaining after PCSK9 oligonucleotide screening of 96 PCSK9 oligonucleotides at two different concentrations (0.1 nM and 1 nM) in Huh-7 cells.
  • the H number on the X-axis indicates the position in the PCSK9 mRNA mapping to the 5′ end of the antisense strand of the oligonucleotides.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic showing a non-limiting example of a double-stranded oligonucleotide with a nicked tetraloop structure that has been conjugated to four GalNAc moieties (diamond shapes).
  • FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results of screening in a mouse hydrodynamic injection (HDI) model using PCSK9 tetraloop conjugates of 12 different base sequences with a single modification pattern. PBS, shown on the far left, was used as a control.
  • HDI mouse hydrodynamic injection
  • FIGS. 5 A- 5 C are graphs showing the results of screening in Huh-7 cells ( FIG. 5 A ) and in a mouse HDI model ( FIGS. 5 B and 5 C ) using PCSK9 oligonucleotides of different base sequences.
  • FIG. 5 A is a graph showing the percentage of PCSK9 mRNA remaining after screening of 40 nicked-tetraloop structures. The same modification pattern was used, and the oligonucleotides were tested at two different concentrations (0.03 nM and 0.1 nM; labeled as “Phase T2” in FIG. 5 A ).
  • FIG. 5 A is a graph showing the percentage of PCSK9 mRNA remaining after screening of 40 nicked-tetraloop structures. The same modification pattern was used, and the oligonucleotides were tested at two different concentrations (0.03 nM and 0.1 nM; labeled as “Phase T2” in FIG. 5 A ).
  • FIG. 5 B shows a human-specific PCSK9 tetraloop conjugate screen in the mouse HDI model at a 2 mg/kg subcutaneous dose using three different modification patterns.
  • FIG. 5 C shows the same test as described in FIG. 5 B , except at a 1 mg/kg subcutaneous dose (except for the control, which was dosed at both 1 and 2 mg/kg). Two different modification patterns were used. PBS was used as a control and is shown to the left.
  • FIGS. 6 A and 6 B are graphs showing the results of screening in a mouse hydrodynamic injection (HDI) model using three different PCSK9 tetraloop conjugates with varied modification patterns at three different concentrations. PBS, shown on the far left, was used as a control.
  • HDI mouse hydrodynamic injection
  • FIGS. 7 A- 7 D are graphs showing an in vivo activity evaluation of PCSK9 oligonucleotides in a tetraloop conjugate in non-human primates. Candidate sequences were tested with different modifications.
  • FIG. 7 A shows the analysis of PCSK9 remaining and LDL-C lowering using a candidate PCSK9 tetraloop conjugate with two different modification patterns. The ability of the oligonucleotide to lower plasma PCSK9 through Day 30 ( FIG. 7 B ) and through Day 90 ( FIG. 7 C ) was measured using a PCSK9 ELISA. Serum levels of LDL were also measured, as shown in FIG. 7 D .
  • the disclosure provides oligonucleotides targeting PCSK9 mRNA that are effective for reducing PCSK9 expression in cells, particularly liver cells (e.g., hepatocytes) for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof. Accordingly, in related aspects, the disclosure provides methods of treating hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof that involve selectively reducing PCSK9 gene expression in liver.
  • liver cells e.g., hepatocytes
  • PCSK9 targeting oligonucleotides provided herein are designed for delivery to selected cells of target tissues (e.g., liver hepatocytes) to treat hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof in a subject.
  • target tissues e.g., liver hepatocytes
  • Administering means to provide a substance (e.g., an oligonucleotide) to a subject in a manner that is pharmacologically useful (e.g., to treat a condition in the subject).
  • a substance e.g., an oligonucleotide
  • Asialoglycoprotein receptor As used herein, the term “Asialoglycoprotein receptor” or “ASGPR” refers to a bipartite C-type lectin formed by a major 48 kDa (ASGPR-1) and minor 40 kDa subunit (ASGPR-2). ASGPR is primarily expressed on the sinusoidal surface of hepatocyte cells and has a major role in binding, internalization, and subsequent clearance of circulating glycoproteins that contain terminal galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine residues (asialoglycoproteins).
  • Atherosclerosis refers to a disease involving a narrowing of arteries (e.g., coronary, carotid, peripheral, and/or renal arteries) typically due to the buildup of plaques (made from fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances).
  • narrowing of the coronary arteries may produce symptoms such as angina, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, and/or palpitations.
  • narrowing of the carotid arteries may result in a stroke (i.e., death of brain cells resulting from insufficient blood and oxygen flow to the brain) and/or may produce symptoms such as feelings of weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, dizziness, difficulty in walking or standing up straight, blurred vision, numbness of the face, arms, and legs, severe headaches, and/or loss of consciousness.
  • narrowing of the peripheral arteries may result in numbness or pain within the arms or legs.
  • narrowing of the renal arteries (resulting in decreased kidney blood flow) may result in chronic kidney disease.
  • Complications of atherosclerosis may include coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, and kidney problems (e.g., chronic kidney disease).
  • nucleotides As used herein, the term “complementary” refers to a structural relationship between nucleotides (e.g., on two nucleotides on opposing nucleic acids or on opposing regions of a single nucleic acid strand) that permits the nucleotides to form base pairs with one another.
  • a purine nucleotide of one nucleic acid that is complementary to a pyrimidine nucleotide of an opposing nucleic acid may base pair together by forming hydrogen bonds with one another.
  • complementary nucleotides can base pair in the Watson-Crick manner or in any other manner that allows for the formation of stable duplexes.
  • two nucleic acids may have nucleotide sequences that are complementary to each other so as to form regions of complementarity, as described herein.
  • deoxyribonucleotide refers to a nucleotide having a hydrogen at the 2′ position of its pentose sugar as compared with a ribonucleotide.
  • a modified deoxyribonucleotide is a deoxyribonucleotide having one or more modifications or substitutions of atoms other than at the 2′ position, including modifications or substitutions in or of the sugar, phosphate group or base.
  • Double-stranded oligonucleotide refers to an oligonucleotide that is substantially in a duplex form.
  • complementary base-pairing of duplex region(s) of a double-stranded oligonucleotide is formed between antiparallel sequences of nucleotides of covalently separate nucleic acid strands.
  • complementary base-pairing of duplex region(s) of a double-stranded oligonucleotide is formed between antiparallel sequences of nucleotides of nucleic acid strands that are covalently linked.
  • complementary base-pairing of duplex region(s) of a double-stranded oligonucleotide is formed from a single nucleic acid strand that is folded (e.g., via a hairpin) to provide complementary antiparallel sequences of nucleotides that base pair together.
  • a double-stranded oligonucleotide comprises two covalently separate nucleic acid strands that are fully duplexed with one another.
  • a double-stranded oligonucleotide comprises two covalently separate nucleic acid strands that are partially duplexed, e.g., having overhangs at one or both ends.
  • a double-stranded oligonucleotide comprises antiparallel sequences of nucleotides that are partially complementary, and thus, may have one or more mismatches, which may include internal mismatches or end mismatches.
  • duplex in reference to nucleic acids (e.g., oligonucleotides), refers to a structure formed through complementary base-pairing of two antiparallel sequences of nucleotides.
  • Excipient refers to a non-therapeutic agent that may be included in a composition, for example, to provide or contribute to a desired consistency or stabilizing effect.
  • Hepatocyte As used herein, the term “hepatocyte” or “hepatocytes” refers to cells of the parenchymal tissues of the liver. These cells make up approximately 70-85% of the liver's mass and manufacture serum albumin, fibrinogen, and the prothrombin group of clotting factors (except for Factors 3 and 4). Markers for hepatocyte lineage cells may include, but are not limited to: transthyretin (Ttr), glutamine synthetase (Glul), hepatocyte nuclear factor 1a (Hnfla), and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4a (Hnf4a).
  • Ttr transthyretin
  • Glul glutamine synthetase
  • Hnfla hepatocyte nuclear factor 1a
  • Hnf4a hepatocyte nuclear factor 4a
  • Markers for mature hepatocytes may include, but are not limited to: cytochrome P450 (Cyp3a11), fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (Fah), glucose 6-phosphate (G6p), albumin (Alb), and OC2-2F8. See, e.g., Huch et al., (2013), Nature, 494(7436): 247-250, the contents of which relating to hepatocyte markers is incorporated herein by reference.
  • Hypercholesterolemia refers to the presence of high levels of cholesterol (e.g., low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol) in the blood.
  • cholesterol e.g., low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol
  • LDL low density lipoprotein
  • Cholesterol is one of three major classes of lipids manufactured by animal cells and used to construct cell membranes. Cholesterol is water insoluble and transported in the blood plasma within protein particles (lipoproteins).
  • Any lipoprotein e.g., very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL)
  • VLDL very low density lipoprotein
  • LDL low density lipoprotein
  • IDL intermediate density lipoprotein
  • HDL high density lipoprotein
  • loop refers to an unpaired region of a nucleic acid (e.g., oligonucleotide) that is flanked by two antiparallel regions of the nucleic acid that are sufficiently complementary to one another, such that under appropriate hybridization conditions (e.g., in a phosphate buffer, in a cells), the two antiparallel regions, which flank the unpaired region, hybridize to form a duplex (referred to as a “stem”).
  • a nucleic acid e.g., oligonucleotide
  • Modified Internucleotide Linkage refers to an internucleotide linkage having one or more chemical modifications compared with a reference internucleotide linkage comprising a phosphodiester bond.
  • a modified nucleotide is a non-naturally occurring linkage.
  • a modified internucleotide linkage confers one or more desirable properties to a nucleic acid in which the modified internucleotide linkage is present.
  • a modified nucleotide may improve thermal stability, resistance to degradation, nuclease resistance, solubility, bioavailability, bioactivity, reduced immunogenicity, etc.
  • Modified nucleotide refers to a nucleotide having one or more chemical modifications compared with a corresponding reference nucleotide selected from: adenine ribonucleotide, guanine ribonucleotide, cytosine ribonucleotide, uracil ribonucleotide, adenine deoxyribonucleotide, guanine deoxyribonucleotide, cytosine deoxyribonucleotide, and thymidine deoxyribonucleotide.
  • a modified nucleotide is a non-naturally occurring nucleotide.
  • a modified nucleotide has one or more chemical modifications in its sugar, nucleobase and/or phosphate group.
  • a modified nucleotide has one or more chemical moieties conjugated to a corresponding reference nucleotide.
  • a modified nucleotide confers one or more desirable properties to a nucleic acid in which the modified nucleotide is present.
  • a modified nucleotide may improve thermal stability, resistance to degradation, nuclease resistance, solubility, bioavailability, bioactivity, reduced immunogenicity, etc.
  • a modified nucleotide comprises a 2′-O-methyl or a 2′-F substitution at the 2′ position of the ribose ring.
  • a “nicked tetraloop structure” is a structure of a RNAi oligonucleotide characterized by the presence of separate sense (passenger) and antisense (guide) strands, in which the sense strand has a region of complementarity to the antisense strand such that the two strands form a duplex, and in which at least one of the strands, generally the sense strand, extends from the duplex in which the extension contains a tetraloop and two self-complementary sequences forming a stem region adjacent to the tetraloop, in which the tetraloop is configured to stabilize the adjacent stem region formed by the self-complementary sequences of the at least one strand.
  • oligonucleotide refers to a short nucleic acid, e.g., of less than 100 nucleotides in length.
  • An oligonucleotide can comprise ribonucleotides, deoxyribonucleotides, and/or modified nucleotides including, for example, modified ribonucleotides.
  • An oligonucleotide may be single-stranded or double-stranded.
  • An oligonucleotide may or may not have duplex regions.
  • an oligonucleotide may be, but is not limited to, a small interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNA (miRNA), short hairpin RNA (shRNA), dicer substrate interfering RNA (dsiRNA), antisense oligonucleotide, short siRNA, or single-stranded siRNA.
  • a double-stranded oligonucleotide is an RNAi oligonucleotide.
  • overhang refers to terminal non-base-pairing nucleotide(s) resulting from one strand or region extending beyond the terminus of a complementary strand with which the one strand or region forms a duplex.
  • an overhang comprises one or more unpaired nucleotides extending from a duplex region at the 5′ terminus or 3′ terminus of a double-stranded oligonucleotide.
  • the overhang is a 3′ or 5′ overhang on the antisense strand or sense strand of a double-stranded oligonucleotide.
  • Phosphate analog refers to a chemical moiety that mimics the electrostatic and/or steric properties of a phosphate group.
  • a phosphate analog is positioned at the 5′ terminal nucleotide of an oligonucleotide in place of a 5′-phosphate, which is often susceptible to enzymatic removal.
  • a 5′ phosphate analog contains a phosphatase-resistant linkage. Examples of phosphate analogs include 5′ phosphonates, such as 5′ methylenephosphonate (5′-MP) and 5′-(E)-vinylphosphonate (5′-VP).
  • an oligonucleotide has a phosphate analog at a 4′-carbon position of the sugar (referred to as a “4′-phosphate analog”) at a 5′-terminal nucleotide.
  • a 4′-phosphate analog is oxymethylphosphonate, in which the oxygen atom of the oxymethyl group is bound to the sugar moiety (e.g., at its 4′-carbon) or analog thereof. See, for example, International Patent Application PCT/US2017/049909, filed on Sep. 1, 2017, U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62/383,207, filed on Sep. 2, 2016, and 62/393,401, filed on Sep.
  • Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-9 As used herein, the term “proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-9” (also known as PCSK9, NARC-1, neural apoptosis regulated convertase 1, HCHOLA3, and hypercholesterolemia, autosomal dominant 3) refers to the gene encoding PCSK9 protein.
  • Reduced expression refers to a decrease in the amount of RNA transcript or protein encoded by the gene and/or a decrease in the amount of activity of the gene in a cell or subject, as compared to an appropriate reference cell or subject.
  • the act of treating a cell with a double-stranded oligonucleotide may result in a decrease in the amount of RNA transcript, protein and/or enzymatic activity (e.g., encoded by the PCSK9 gene) compared to a cell that is not treated with the double-stranded oligonucleotide.
  • reducing expression refers to an act that results in reduced expression of a gene (e.g., PCSK9).
  • region of complementarity refers to a sequence of nucleotides of a nucleic acid (e.g., a double-stranded oligonucleotide) that is sufficiently complementary to an antiparallel sequence of nucleotides (e.g., a target nucleotide sequence within an mRNA) to permit hybridization between the two sequences of nucleotides under appropriate hybridization conditions, e.g., in a phosphate buffer, in a cell, etc.
  • a region of complementarity may be fully complementary to a nucleotide sequence (e.g., a target nucleotide sequence present within an mRNA or portion thereof).
  • a region of complementary that is fully complementary to a nucleotide sequence present in an mRNA has a contiguous sequence of nucleotides that is complementary, without any mismatches or gaps, to a corresponding sequence in the mRNA.
  • a region of complementarity may be partially complementary to a nucleotide sequence (e.g., a nucleotide sequence present in an mRNA or portion thereof).
  • a region of complementary that is partially complementary to a nucleotide sequence present in an mRNA has a contiguous sequence of nucleotides that is complementary to a corresponding sequence in the mRNA but that contains one or more mismatches or gaps (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or more mismatches or gaps) compared with the corresponding sequence in the mRNA, provided that the region of complementarity remains capable of hybridizing with the mRNA under appropriate hybridization conditions.
  • mismatches or gaps e.g., 1, 2, 3, or more mismatches or gaps
  • Ribonucleotide refers to a nucleotide having a ribose as its pentose sugar, which contains a hydroxyl group at its 2′ position.
  • a modified ribonucleotide is a ribonucleotide having one or more modifications or substitutions of atoms other than at the 2′ position, including modifications or substitutions in or of the ribose, phosphate group or base.
  • RNAi Oligonucleotide refers to either (a) a double stranded oligonucleotide having a sense strand (passenger) and antisense strand (guide), in which the antisense strand or part of the antisense strand is used by the Argonaute 2 (Ago2) endonuclease in the cleavage of a target mRNA or (b) a single stranded oligonucleotide having a single antisense strand, where that antisense strand (or part of that antisense strand) is used by the Ago2 endonuclease in the cleavage of a target mRNA.
  • Ago2 Argonaute 2
  • Strand refers to a single contiguous sequence of nucleotides linked together through internucleotide linkages (e.g., phosphodiester linkages, phosphorothioate linkages). In some embodiments, a strand has two free ends, e.g., a 5′-end and a 3′-end.
  • subject means any mammal, including mice, rabbits, and humans. In one embodiment, the subject is a human or non-human primate.
  • Synthetic refers to a nucleic acid or other molecule that is artificially synthesized (e.g., using a machine (e.g., a solid state nucleic acid synthesizer)) or that is otherwise not derived from a natural source (e.g., a cell or organism) that normally produces the molecule.
  • a machine e.g., a solid state nucleic acid synthesizer
  • a natural source e.g., a cell or organism
  • Targeting ligand refers to a molecule (e.g., a carbohydrate, amino sugar, cholesterol, polypeptide, or lipid) that selectively binds to a cognate molecule (e.g., a receptor) of a tissue or cell of interest and that is conjugatable to another substance for purposes of targeting the other substance to the tissue or cell of interest.
  • a targeting ligand may be conjugated to an oligonucleotide for purposes of targeting the oligonucleotide to a specific tissue or cell of interest.
  • a targeting ligand selectively binds to a cell surface receptor.
  • a targeting ligand when conjugated to an oligonucleotide facilitates delivery of the oligonucleotide into a particular cell through selective binding to a receptor expressed on the surface of the cell and endosomal internalization by the cell of the complex comprising the oligonucleotide, targeting ligand, and receptor.
  • a targeting ligand is conjugated to an oligonucleotide via a linker that is cleaved following or during cellular internalization such that the oligonucleotide is released from the targeting ligand in the cell.
  • Tetraloop refers to a loop that increases stability of an adjacent duplex formed by hybridization of flanking sequences of nucleotides.
  • the increase in stability is detectable as an increase in melting temperature (T m ) of an adjacent stem duplex that is higher than the T m of the adjacent stem duplex expected, on average, from a set of loops of comparable length consisting of randomly selected sequences of nucleotides.
  • T m melting temperature
  • a tetraloop can confer a melting temperature of at least 50° C., at least 55° C., at least 56° C., at least 58° C., at least 60° C., at least 65° C., or at least 75° C.
  • a tetraloop may stabilize a base pair in an adjacent stem duplex by stacking interactions.
  • interactions among the nucleotides in a tetraloop include, but are not limited to non-Watson-Crick base-pairing, stacking interactions, hydrogen bonding, and contact interactions (Cheong et al., Nature 1990 Aug. 16; 346(6285):680-2; Heus and Pardi, Science 1991 Jul. 12; 253(5016):191-4).
  • a tetraloop comprises or consists of 3 to 6 nucleotides, and is typically 4 to 5 nucleotides. In certain embodiments, a tetraloop comprises or consists of three, four, five, or six nucleotides, which may or may not be modified (e.g., which may or may not be conjugated to a targeting moiety). In one embodiment, a tetraloop consists of four nucleotides. Any nucleotide may be used in the tetraloop and standard IUPAC-IUB symbols for such nucleotides may be used as described in Cornish-Bowden (1985) Nucl. Acids Res. 13: 3021-3030.
  • the letter “N” may be used to mean that any base may be in that position
  • the letter “R” may be used to show that A (adenine) or G (guanine) may be in that position
  • “B” may be used to show that C (cytosine), G (guanine), or T (thymine) may be in that position.
  • tetraloops include the UNCG family of tetraloops (e.g., UUCG), the GNRA family of tetraloops (e.g., GAAA), and the CUUG tetraloop (Woese et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.
  • DNA tetraloops include the d(GNNA) family of tetraloops (e.g., d(GTTA)), the d(GNRA) family of tetraloops, the d(GNAB) family of tetraloops, the d(CNNG) family of tetraloops, and the d(TNCG) family of tetraloops (e.g., d(TTCG)).
  • d(GNNA) family of tetraloops e.g., d(GTTA)
  • d(GNRA) d(GNRA) family of tetraloops
  • d(GNAB) d(GNAB) family of tetraloops
  • d(CNNG) d(CNNG) family of tetraloops
  • d(TNCG) family of tetraloops e.g., d(TTCG)
  • the tetraloop is contained within a nicked tetraloop structure.
  • treat refers to the act of providing care to a subject in need thereof, e.g., through the administration a therapeutic agent (e.g., an oligonucleotide) to the subject, for purposes of improving the health and/or well-being of the subject with respect to an existing condition (e.g., a disease, disorder) or to prevent or decrease the likelihood of the occurrence of a condition.
  • a therapeutic agent e.g., an oligonucleotide
  • treatment involves reducing the frequency or severity of at least one sign, symptom or contributing factor of a condition (e.g., disease, disorder) experienced by a subject.
  • Potent oligonucleotides have been identified herein through examination of the PCSK9 mRNA, including mRNAs of different species (human and Rhesus macaque, (see, e.g., Example 1)) and in vitro and in vivo testing.
  • Such oligonucleotides can be used to achieve therapeutic benefit for subjects with a hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof by reducing PCSK9 activity, and consequently, by decreasing or preventing hypercholesterolemia (high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol), atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease), angina, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, heart palpitations, stroke (i.e., death of brain cells resulting from insufficient blood and oxygen flow to the brain), feelings of weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, dizziness, difficulty in walking or standing up straight, blurred vision, numbness of the face, arms, and legs, severe headaches, loss of consciousness, peripheral artery disease, and/or kidney problems (e.g., chronic kidney disease).
  • hypercholesterolemia high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol
  • potent RNAi oligonucleotides are provided herein that have a sense strand comprising, or consisting of, a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-453, 907-1029, 1153-1192, 1248-1256, and 1266-1268 and an antisense strand comprising, or consisting of, a complementary sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 454-906, 1030-1152, 1193-1232, 1257-1265, and 1269-1271, as is also arranged the table provided in Table 4 (e.g., a sense strand comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and an antisense strand comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 454).
  • the sequences can be put into multiple different structures (or formats), as described herein.
  • a hotspot region of PCSK9 consists of a sequence as forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1233-1244. These regions of PCSK9 mRNA may be targeted using oligonucleotides as discussed herein for purposes of inhibiting PCSK9 mRNA expression.
  • oligonucleotides provided herein are designed so as to have regions of complementarity to PCSK9 mRNA (e.g., within a hotspot of PCSK9 mRNA) for purposes of targeting the mRNA in cells and inhibiting its expression.
  • the region of complementarity is generally of a suitable length and base content to enable annealing of the oligonucleotide (or a strand thereof) to PCSK9 mRNA for purposes of inhibiting its expression.
  • an oligonucleotide disclosed herein comprises a region of complementarity (e.g., on an antisense strand of a double-stranded oligonucleotide) that is at least partially complementary to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453 or 907-1029, which include certain sequences mapping to within hotspot regions of PCSK9 mRNA.
  • an oligonucleotide disclosed herein comprises a region of complementarity (e.g., on an antisense strand of a double-stranded oligonucleotide) that is fully complementary to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453 or 907-1029.
  • a region of complementarity of an oligonucleotide that is complementary to contiguous nucleotides of a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453 or 907-1029 spans the entire length of an antisense strand. In some embodiments, a region of complementarity of an oligonucleotide that is complementary to contiguous nucleotides of a sequence as set forth in any one of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453 or 907-1029 spans a portion of the entire length of an antisense strand (e.g., all but two nucleotides at the 3′ end of the antisense strand).
  • an oligonucleotide disclosed herein comprises a region of complementarity (e.g., on an antisense strand of a double-stranded oligonucleotide) that is at least partially (e.g., fully) complementary to a contiguous stretch of nucleotides spanning nucleotides 1-19 of a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1153-1192.
  • the region of complementarity is at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, at least 22, at least 23, at least 24, or at least 25 nucleotides in length.
  • an oligonucleotide provided herein has a region of complementarity to PCSK9 mRNA that is in the range of 12 to 30 (e.g., 12 to 30, 12 to 22, 15 to 25, 17 to 21, 18 to 27, 19 to 27, or 15 to 30) nucleotides in length.
  • an oligonucleotide provided herein has a region of complementarity to PCSK9 mRNA that is 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 nucleotides in length.
  • a region of complementarity to PCSK9 mRNA may have one or more mismatches compared with a corresponding sequence of PCSK9 mRNA.
  • a region of complementarity on an oligonucleotide may have up to 1, up to 2, up to 3, up to 4, etc. mismatches provided that it maintains the ability to form complementary base pairs with PCSK9 mRNA under appropriate hybridization conditions.
  • a region of complementarity on an oligonucleotide may have no more than 1, no more than 2, no more than 3, or no more than 4 mismatches provided that it maintains the ability to form complementary base pairs with PCSK9 mRNA under appropriate hybridization conditions.
  • oligonucleotide may be positioned consecutively (e.g., 2, 3, 4, or more in a row), or interspersed throughout the region of complementarity provided that the oligonucleotide maintains the ability to form complementary base pairs with PCSK9 mRNA under appropriate hybridization conditions.
  • double-stranded oligonucleotides provided herein comprise, of consist of, a sense strand having a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453, 907-1029, 1153-1192, 1248-1256, and 1266-1268 and an antisense strand comprising a complementary sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, 1193-1232, 1257-1265, and 1269-1271, as is arranged in the table provided in Table 4 (e.g., a sense strand comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and an antisense strand comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 454).
  • oligonucleotides that are useful for targeting PCSK9 mRNA in the methods of the present disclosure, including RNAi, miRNA, etc. Any of the structures described herein or elsewhere may be used as a framework to incorporate or target a sequence described herein (e.g., a hotpot sequence of PCSK9 such as those illustrated in SEQ ID NOs: 1233-1244 or a sense or antisense strand that comprises or consists of a sequence as set forth as any of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 453, 907-1029, and 1153-1192 or as set forth as any of SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, and 1193-1232).
  • a hotpot sequence of PCSK9 such as those illustrated in SEQ ID NOs: 1233-1244
  • a sense or antisense strand that comprises or consists of a sequence as set forth as any of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 453, 907-1029, and 1153-1192 or as set forth as any of SEQ ID NOs: 454
  • Double-stranded oligonucleotides for targeting PCSK9 expression generally have a sense strand and an antisense strand that form a duplex with one another.
  • the sense and antisense strands are not covalently linked.
  • the sense and antisense strands are covalently linked.
  • double-stranded oligonucleotides for reducing PCSK9 expression engage RNA interference (RNAi).
  • RNAi oligonucleotides have been developed with each strand having sizes of 19-25 nucleotides with at least one 3′ overhang of 1 to 5 nucleotides (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,372,968). Longer oligonucleotides have also been developed that are processed by the Dicer enzyme to generate active RNAi products (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,883,996).
  • extended double-stranded oligonucleotides where at least one end of at least one strand is extended beyond a duplex targeting region, including structures where one of the strands includes a thermodynamically-stabilizing tetraloop structure (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,513,207 and 8,927,705, as well as WO2010033225, which are incorporated by reference herein for their disclosure of these oligonucleotides).
  • Such structures may include single-stranded extensions (on one or both sides of the molecule) as well as double-stranded extensions.
  • sequences described herein can be incorporated into, or targeted using, oligonucleotides that comprise separate sense and antisense strands that are both in the range of 17 to 40 nucleotides in length.
  • oligonucleotides incorporating such sequences are provided that have a tetraloop structure within a 3′ extension of their sense strand, and two terminal overhang nucleotides at the 3′ end of the separate antisense strand.
  • the two terminal overhang nucleotides are GG.
  • one or both of the two terminal GG nucleotides of the antisense strand is or are not complementary to the target.
  • oligonucleotides incorporating such sequences are provided that have sense and antisense strands that are both in the range of 21 to 23 nucleotides in length.
  • a 3′ overhang is provided on the sense, antisense, or both sense and antisense strands that is 1 or 2 nucleotides in length.
  • an oligonucleotide has a guide strand of 23 nucleotides and a passenger strand of 21 nucleotides, in which the 3′-end of passenger strand and 5′-end of guide strand form a blunt end and where the guide strand has a two nucleotide 3′ overhang.
  • oligonucleotides may be in the range of 21 to 23 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, oligonucleotides may have an overhang (e.g., of 1, 2, or 3 nucleotides in length) in the 3′ end of the sense and/or antisense strands. In some embodiments, oligonucleotides (e.g., siRNAs) may comprise a 21 nucleotide guide strand that is antisense to a target RNA and a complementary passenger strand, in which both strands anneal to form a 19-bp duplex and 2 nucleotide overhangs at either or both 3′ ends. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,012,138, 9,012,621, and 9,193,753, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein for their relevant disclosures.
  • an oligonucleotide of the invention has a 36 nucleotide sense strand that comprises a region extending beyond the antisense-sense duplex, where the extension region has a stem-tetraloop structure where the stem is a six base pair duplex and where the tetraloop has four nucleotides.
  • three or four of the tetraloop nucleotides are each conjugated to a monovalent GalNac ligand.
  • an oligonucleotide of the invention comprises a 25 nucleotide sense strand and a 27 nucleotide antisense strand that when acted upon by a dicer enzyme results in an antisense strand that is incorporated into the mature RISC.
  • oligonucleotides designs for use with the compositions and methods disclosed herein include: 16-mer siRNAs (see, e.g., Nucleic Acids in Chemistry and Biology. Blackburn (ed.), Royal Society of Chemistry, 2006), shRNAs (e.g., having 19 bp or shorter stems; see, e.g., Moore et al. Methods Mol. Biol. 2010; 629:141-158), blunt siRNAs (e.g., of 19 bps in length; see: e.g., Kraynack and Baker, RNA Vol. 12, p 163-176 (2006)), asymmetrical siRNAs (aiRNA; see, e.g., Sun et al., Nat. Biotechnol.
  • siRNAs see, e.g., Nucleic Acids in Chemistry and Biology. Blackburn (ed.), Royal Society of Chemistry, 2006
  • shRNAs e.g., having 19 bp or shorter stems; see, e.g.
  • oligonucleotide structures that may be used in some embodiments to reduce or inhibit the expression of PCSK9 are microRNA (miRNA), short hairpin RNA (shRNA), and short siRNA (see, e.g., Hamilton et al., Embo J., 2002, 21(17): 4671-4679; see also U.S. Application No. 20090099115).
  • an oligonucleotide disclosed herein for targeting PCSK9 comprises an antisense strand comprising or consisting of a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, or 1193-1232.
  • an oligonucleotide comprises an antisense strand comprising or consisting of at least 12 (e.g., at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, at least 22, or at least 23) contiguous nucleotides of a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, or 1193-1232.
  • a double-stranded oligonucleotide may have an antisense strand of up to 40 nucleotides in length (e.g., up to 40, up to 35, up to 30, up to 27, up to 25, up to 21, up to 19, up to 17, or up to 12 nucleotides in length).
  • an oligonucleotide may have an antisense strand of at least 12 nucleotides in length (e.g., at least 12, at least 15, at least 19, at least 21, at least 22, at least 25, at least 27, at least 30, at least 35, or at least 38 nucleotides in length).
  • an oligonucleotide may have an antisense strand in a range of 12 to 40 (e.g., 12 to 40, 12 to 36, 12 to 32, 12 to 28, 15 to 40, 15 to 36, 15 to 32, 15 to 28, 17 to 22, 17 to 25, 19 to 27, 19 to 30, 20 to 40, 22 to 40, 25 to 40, or 32 to 40) nucleotides in length.
  • an oligonucleotide may have an antisense strand of 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, or 40 nucleotides in length.
  • an antisense strand of an oligonucleotide may be referred to as a “guide strand.”
  • a guide strand For example, if an antisense strand can engage with RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and bind to an Argonaut protein, or engage with or bind to one or more similar factors, and direct silencing of a target gene, it may be referred to as a guide strand.
  • RISC RNA-induced silencing complex
  • a sense strand complementary to a guide strand may be referred to as a “passenger strand.”
  • an oligonucleotide disclosed herein for targeting PCSK9 comprises or consists of a sense strand sequence as set forth in in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 453, 907-1029, and 1153-1192.
  • an oligonucleotide has a sense strand that comprises or consists of at least 12 (e.g., at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, at least 22, or at least 23) contiguous nucleotides of a sequence as set forth in in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 453, 907-1029, and 1153-1192.
  • an oligonucleotide may have a sense strand (or passenger strand) of up to 40 nucleotides in length (e.g., up to 40, up to 36, up to 30, up to 27, up to 25, up to 21, up to 19, up to 17, or up to 12 nucleotides in length).
  • an oligonucleotide may have a sense strand of at least 12 nucleotides in length (e.g., at least 12, at least 15, at least 19, at least 21, at least 25, at least 27, at least 30, at least 36, or at least 38 nucleotides in length).
  • an oligonucleotide may have a sense strand in a range of 12 to 40 (e.g., 12 to 40, 12 to 36, 12 to 32, 12 to 28, 15 to 40, 15 to 36, 15 to 32, 15 to 28, 17 to 21, 17 to 25, 19 to 27, 19 to 30, 20 to 40, 22 to 40, 25 to 40, or 32 to 40) nucleotides in length.
  • an oligonucleotide may have a sense strand of 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, or 40 nucleotides in length.
  • a sense strand comprises a stem-loop structure at its 3′-end. In some embodiments, a sense strand comprises a stem-loop structure at its 5′-end. In some embodiments, a stem is a duplex of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14 base pairs in length. In some embodiments, a stem-loop provides the molecule better protection against degradation (e.g., enzymatic degradation) and facilitates targeting characteristics for delivery to a target cell. For example, in some embodiments, a loop provides added nucleotides on which modification can be made without substantially affecting the gene expression inhibition activity of an oligonucleotide.
  • an oligonucleotide in which the sense strand comprises (e.g., at its 3′-end) a stem-loop set forth as: S 1 -L-S 2 , in which S 1 is complementary to S 2 , and in which L forms a loop between S 1 and S 2 of up to 10 nucleotides in length (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 nucleotides in length).
  • FIG. 3 depicts a non-limiting example of such an oligonucleotide.
  • a loop (L) of a stem-loop is a tetraloop (e.g., within a nicked tetraloop structure).
  • a tetraloop may contain ribonucleotides, deoxyribonucleotides, modified nucleotides, and combinations thereof.
  • a tetraloop has 4 to 5 nucleotides.
  • a duplex formed between a sense and antisense strand is at least 12 (e.g., at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, or at least 21) nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, a duplex formed between a sense and antisense strand is in the range of 12-30 nucleotides in length (e.g., 12 to 30, 12 to 27, 12 to 22, 15 to 25, 18 to 30, 18 to 22, 18 to 25, 18 to 27, 18 to 30, 19 to 30, or 21 to 30 nucleotides in length). In some embodiments, a duplex formed between a sense and antisense strand is 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 nucleotides in length.
  • a duplex formed between a sense and antisense strand does not span the entire length of the sense strand and/or antisense strand. In some embodiments, a duplex between a sense and antisense strand spans the entire length of either the sense or antisense strands. In certain embodiments, a duplex between a sense and antisense strand spans the entire length of both the sense strand and the antisense strand.
  • an oligonucleotide provided herein comprises sense and antisense strands, such that there is a 3′-overhang on either the sense strand or the antisense strand, or both the sense and antisense strand.
  • oligonucleotides provided herein have one 5′ end that is thermodynamically less stable compared to the other 5′ end.
  • an asymmetric oligonucleotide is provided that includes a blunt end at the 3′ end of a sense strand and an overhang at the 3′ end of an antisense strand.
  • a 3′ overhang on an antisense strand is 1-8 nucleotides in length (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 nucleotides in length).
  • an oligonucleotide for RNAi has a two nucleotide overhang on the 3′ end of the antisense (guide) strand.
  • an overhang is a 3′ overhang comprising a length of between one and six nucleotides, optionally one to five, one to four, one to three, one to two, two to six, two to five, two to four, two to three, three to six, three to five, three to four, four to six, four to five, five to six nucleotides, or one, two, three, four, five or six nucleotides.
  • the overhang is a 5′ overhang comprising a length of between one and six nucleotides, optionally one to five, one to four, one to three, one to two, two to six, two to five, two to four, two to three, three to six, three to five, three to four, four to six, four to five, five to six nucleotides, or one, two, three, four, five or six nucleotides.
  • one or more (e.g., 2, 3, 4) terminal nucleotides of the 3′ end or 5′ end of a sense and/or antisense strand are modified.
  • one or two terminal nucleotides of the 3′ end of an antisense strand are modified.
  • the last nucleotide at the 3′ end of an antisense strand is modified, e.g., comprises 2′-modification, e.g., a 2′-O-methoxyethyl.
  • the last one or two terminal nucleotides at the 3′ end of an antisense strand are complementary to the target.
  • the last one or two nucleotides at the 3′ end of the antisense strand are not complementary to the target.
  • the 5′ end and/or the 3′ end of a sense or antisense strand has an inverted cap nucleotide.
  • the 3′-terminus of the sense strand contains one or more mismatches. In one embodiment, two mismatches are incorporated at the 3′ terminus of the sense strand.
  • base mismatches or destabilization of segments at the 3′-end of the sense strand of the oligonucleotide improved the potency of synthetic duplexes in RNAi, possibly through facilitating processing by Dicer.
  • an oligonucleotide for reducing PCSK9 expression as described herein is single-stranded.
  • Such structures may include, but are not limited to single-stranded RNAi oligonucleotides.
  • RNAi oligonucleotides Recent efforts have demonstrated the activity of single-stranded RNAi oligonucleotides (see, e.g., Matsui et al. (May 2016), Molecular Therapy, Vol. 24(5), 946-955).
  • oligonucleotides provided herein are antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs).
  • An antisense oligonucleotide is a single-stranded oligonucleotide that has a nucleobase sequence which, when written in the 5′ to 3′ direction, comprises the reverse complement of a targeted segment of a particular nucleic acid and is suitably modified (e.g., as a gapmer) so as to induce RNaseH mediated cleavage of its target RNA in cells or (e.g., as a mixmer) so as to inhibit translation of the target mRNA in cells.
  • Antisense oligonucleotides for use in the instant disclosure may be modified in any suitable manner known in the art including, for example, as shown in U.S. Pat. No.
  • antisense oligonucleotides including, e.g., length, sugar moieties of the nucleobase (pyrimidine, purine), and alterations of the heterocyclic portion of the nucleobase.
  • antisense molecules have been used for decades to reduce expression of specific target genes (see, e.g., Bennett et al.; Pharmacology of Antisense Drugs, Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Vol. 57: 81-105).
  • Oligonucleotides may be modified in various ways to improve or control specificity, stability, delivery, bioavailability, resistance from nuclease degradation, immunogenicity, base-paring properties, RNA distribution and cellular uptake and other features relevant to therapeutic or research use. See, e.g., Bramsen et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 2009, 37, 2867-2881; Bramsen and Kjems (Frontiers in Genetics, 3 (2012): 1-22). Accordingly, in some embodiments, oligonucleotides of the present disclosure may include one or more suitable modifications.
  • a modified nucleotide has a modification in its base (or nucleobase), the sugar (e.g., ribose, deoxyribose), or the phosphate group.
  • oligonucleotides may be delivered in vivo by conjugating them to or encompassing them in a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) or similar carrier.
  • LNP lipid nanoparticle
  • an oligonucleotide is not protected by an LNP or similar carrier (e.g., “naked delivery”), it may be advantageous for at least some of its nucleotides to be modified. Accordingly, in certain embodiments of any of the oligonucleotides provided herein, all or substantially all of the nucleotides of an oligonucleotide are modified.
  • nucleotides are modified. In certain embodiments, less than half of the nucleotides are modified. Typically, with naked delivery, every nucleotide is modified at the 2′-position of the sugar group of that nucleotide. These modifications may be reversible or irreversible. Typically, the 2′ position modification is a 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-methyl, etc. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide as disclosed herein has a number and type of modified nucleotides sufficient to cause the desired characteristic (e.g., protection from enzymatic degradation, capacity to target a desired cell after in vivo administration, and/or thermodynamic stability).
  • desired characteristic e.g., protection from enzymatic degradation, capacity to target a desired cell after in vivo administration, and/or thermodynamic stability.
  • a modified sugar (also referred to herein as a sugar analog) includes a modified deoxyribose or ribose moiety, e.g., in which one or more modifications occur at the 2′, 3′, 4′, and/or 5′ carbon position of the sugar.
  • a modified sugar may also include non-natural alternative carbon structures such as those present in locked nucleic acids (“LNA”) (see, e.g., Koshkin et al. (1998), Tetrahedron 54, 3607-3630), unlocked nucleic acids (“UNA”) (see, e.g., Snead et al.
  • LNA locked nucleic acids
  • NAA unlocked nucleic acids
  • a nucleotide modification in a sugar comprises a 2′-modification.
  • the 2′-modification may be 2′-aminoethyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-methyl, 2′-O-methoxyethyl, or 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro- ⁇ -d-arabinonucleic acid.
  • the modification is 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-methyl, or 2′-O-methoxyethyl.
  • 2′ position modifications that have been developed for use in oligonucleotides can be employed in oligonucleotides disclosed herein.
  • a modification in a sugar comprises a modification of the sugar ring, which may comprise modification of one or more carbons of the sugar ring.
  • a modification of a sugar of a nucleotide may comprise a linkage between the 2′-carbon and a 1′-carbon or 4′-carbon of the sugar.
  • the linkage may comprise an ethylene or methylene bridge.
  • a modified nucleotide has an acyclic sugar that lacks a 2′-carbon to 3′-carbon bond.
  • a modified nucleotide has a thiol group, e.g., in the 4′ position of the sugar.
  • the terminal 3′-end group (e.g., a 3′-hydroxyl) is a phosphate group or other group, which can be used, for example, to attach linkers, adapters or labels or for the direct ligation of an oligonucleotide to another nucleic acid.
  • oligonucleotides may or in some circumstances enhance the interaction with Argonaut 2.
  • oligonucleotides comprising a 5′-phosphate group may be susceptible to degradation via phosphatases or other enzymes, which can limit their bioavailability in vivo.
  • oligonucleotides include analogs of 5′ phosphates that are resistant to such degradation.
  • a phosphate analog may be oxymethylphosphonate, vinylphosphonate, or malonylphosphonate.
  • the 5′ end of an oligonucleotide strand is attached to a chemical moiety that mimics the electrostatic and steric properties of a natural 5′-phosphate group (“phosphate mimic”) (see, e.g., Prakash et al. (2015), Nucleic Acids Res., Nucleic Acids Res. 2015 Mar. 31; 43(6): 2993-3011, the contents of which relating to phosphate analogs are incorporated herein by reference).
  • Many phosphate mimics have been developed that can be attached to the 5′ end (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,927,513, the contents of which relating to phosphate analogs are incorporated herein by reference).
  • a hydroxyl group is attached to the 5′ end of the oligonucleotide.
  • an oligonucleotide has a phosphate analog at a 4′-carbon position of the sugar (referred to as a “4′-phosphate analog”).
  • a 4′-phosphate analog a phosphate analog at a 4′-carbon position of the sugar
  • an oligonucleotide provided herein comprises a 4′-phosphate analog at a 5′-terminal nucleotide.
  • a phosphate analog is an oxymethylphosphonate, in which the oxygen atom of the oxymethyl group is bound to the sugar moiety (e.g., at its 4′-carbon) or analog thereof.
  • a 4′-phosphate analog is a thiomethylphosphonate or an aminomethylphosphonate, in which the sulfur atom of the thiomethyl group or the nitrogen atom of the aminomethyl group is bound to the 4′-carbon of the sugar moiety or analog thereof.
  • a 4′-phosphate analog is an oxymethylphosphonate.
  • an oxymethylphosphonate is represented by the formula —O—CH 2 —PO(OH) 2 or —O—CH 2 —PO(OR) 2 , in which R is independently selected from H, CH 3 , an alkyl group, CH 2 CH 2 CN, CH 2 OCOC(CH 3 ) 3 , CH 2 OCH 2 CH 2 Si(CH 3 ) 3 , or a protecting group.
  • R is independently selected from H, CH 3 , an alkyl group, CH 2 CH 2 CN, CH 2 OCOC(CH 3 ) 3 , CH 2 OCH 2 CH 2 Si(CH 3 ) 3 , or a protecting group.
  • the alkyl group is CH 2 CH 3 . More typically, R is independently selected from H, CH 3 , or CH 2 CH 3 .
  • the oligonucleotide may comprise a modified internucleoside linkage.
  • phosphate modifications or substitutions may result in an oligonucleotide that comprises at least one (e.g., at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, or at least 5) modified internucleotide linkage.
  • any one of the oligonucleotides disclosed herein comprises 1 to 10 (e.g., 1 to 10, 2 to 8, 4 to 6, 3 to 10, 5 to 10, 1 to 5, 1 to 3 or 1 to 2) modified internucleotide linkages.
  • any one of the oligonucleotides disclosed herein comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 modified internucleotide linkages.
  • a modified internucleotide linkage may be a phosphorodithioate linkage, a phosphorothioate linkage, a phosphotriester linkage, a thionoalkylphosphonate linkage, a thionoalkylphosphotriester linkage, a phosphoramidite linkage, a phosphonate linkage or a boranophosphate linkage.
  • at least one modified internucleotide linkage of any one of the oligonucleotides as disclosed herein is a phosphorothioate linkage
  • oligonucleotides provided herein have one or more modified nucleobases.
  • modified nucleobases also referred to herein as base analogs
  • a modified nucleobase is a nitrogenous base.
  • a modified nucleobase does not contain a nitrogen atom. See e.g., U.S. Published Patent Application No. 20080274462.
  • a modified nucleotide comprises a universal base. However, in certain embodiments, a modified nucleotide does not contain a nucleobase (abasic).
  • a universal base is a heterocyclic moiety located at the 1′ position of a nucleotide sugar moiety in a modified nucleotide, or the equivalent position in a nucleotide sugar moiety substitution that, when present in a duplex, can be positioned opposite more than one type of base without substantially altering the structure of the duplex.
  • a reference single-stranded nucleic acid e.g., oligonucleotide
  • a single-stranded nucleic acid containing a universal base forms a duplex with the target nucleic acid that has a lower T m than a duplex formed with the complementary nucleic acid.
  • the single-stranded nucleic acid containing the universal base forms a duplex with the target nucleic acid that has a higher T m than a duplex formed with the nucleic acid comprising the mismatched base.
  • Non-limiting examples of universal-binding nucleotides include inosine, ribofuranosyl-5-nitroindole, and/or 1- ⁇ -D-ribofuranosyl-3-nitropyrrole (US Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 20070254362 to Quay et al.; Van Aerschot et al., An acyclic 5-nitroindazole nucleoside analogue as ambiguous nucleoside. Nucleic Acids Res. 1995 Nov. 11; 23(21):4363-70; Loakes et al., 3-Nitropyrrole and 5-nitroindole as universal bases in primers for DNA sequencing and PCR. Nucleic Acids Res. 1995 Jul.
  • Reversible modifications can be made such that the molecule retains desirable properties outside of the cell, which are then removed upon entering the cytosolic environment of the cell. Reversible modification can be removed, for example, by the action of an intracellular enzyme or by the chemical conditions inside of a cell (e.g., through reduction by intracellular glutathione).
  • a reversibly modified nucleotide comprises a glutathione-sensitive moiety.
  • nucleic acid molecules have been chemically modified with cyclic disulfide moieties to mask the negative charge created by the internucleotide diphosphate linkages and improve cellular uptake and nuclease resistance.
  • Traversa PCT Publication No. WO 2015/188197 to Solstice Biologics, Ltd.
  • Solstice Meade et al., Nature Biotechnology, 2014, 32:1256-1263
  • such a reversible modification allows protection during in vivo administration (e.g., transit through the blood and/or lysosomal/endosomal compartments of a cell) where the oligonucleotide will be exposed to nucleases and other harsh environmental conditions (e.g., pH).
  • nucleases and other harsh environmental conditions e.g., pH
  • the modification is reversed and the result is a cleaved oligonucleotide.
  • glutathione sensitive moieties it is possible to introduce sterically larger chemical groups into the oligonucleotide of interest as compared to the options available using irreversible chemical modifications.
  • these larger chemical groups will be removed in the cytosol and, therefore, should not interfere with the biological activity of the oligonucleotides inside the cytosol of a cell.
  • these larger chemical groups can be engineered to confer various advantages to the nucleotide or oligonucleotide, such as nuclease resistance, lipophilicity, charge, thermal stability, specificity, and reduced immunogenicity.
  • the structure of the glutathione-sensitive moiety can be engineered to modify the kinetics of its release.
  • a glutathione-sensitive moiety is attached to the sugar of the nucleotide. In some embodiments, a glutathione-sensitive moiety is attached to the 2′-carbon of the sugar of a modified nucleotide. In some embodiments, the glutathione-sensitive moiety is located at the 5′-carbon of a sugar, particularly when the modified nucleotide is the 5′-terminal nucleotide of the oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the glutathione-sensitive moiety is located at the 3′-carbon of a sugar, particularly when the modified nucleotide is the 3′-terminal nucleotide of the oligonucleotide.
  • the glutathione-sensitive moiety comprises a sulfonyl group. See, e.g., International Patent Application PCT/US2017/048239, which published on Mar. 1, 2018 as International Patent Publication WO2018/039364, entitled Compositions Comprising Reversibly Modified Oligonucleotides and Uses Thereof, which was filed on Aug. 23, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein for its relevant disclosures.
  • oligonucleotides of the disclosure may be desirable to target the oligonucleotides of the disclosure to one or more cells or one or more organs. Such a strategy may help to avoid undesirable effects in other organs, or may avoid undue loss of the oligonucleotide to cells, tissue or organs that would not benefit for the oligonucleotide. Accordingly, in some embodiments, oligonucleotides disclosed herein may be modified to facilitate targeting of a particular tissue, cell or organ, e.g., to facilitate delivery of the oligonucleotide to the liver. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotides disclosed herein may be modified to facilitate delivery of the oligonucleotide to the hepatocytes of the liver. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide comprises a nucleotide that is conjugated to one or more targeting ligands.
  • a targeting ligand may comprise a carbohydrate, amino sugar, cholesterol, peptide, polypeptide, protein or part of a protein (e.g., an antibody or antibody fragment) or lipid.
  • a targeting ligand is an aptamer.
  • a targeting ligand may be an RGD peptide that is used to target tumor vasculature or glioma cells, CREKA peptide to target tumor vasculature or stoma, transferrin, lactoferrin, or an aptamer to target transferrin receptors expressed on CNS vasculature, or an anti-EGFR antibody to target EGFR on glioma cells.
  • the targeting ligand is one or more GalNAc moieties.
  • nucleotides of an oligonucleotide are each conjugated to a separate targeting ligand. In some embodiments, 2 to 4 nucleotides of an oligonucleotide are each conjugated to a separate targeting ligand.
  • targeting ligands are conjugated to 2 to 4 nucleotides at either ends of the sense or antisense strand (e.g., ligands are conjugated to a 2 to 4 nucleotide overhang or extension on the 5′ or 3′ end of the sense or antisense strand) such that the targeting ligands resemble bristles of a toothbrush and the oligonucleotide resembles a toothbrush.
  • an oligonucleotide may comprise a stem-loop at either the 5′ or 3′ end of the sense strand and 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides of the loop of the stem may be individually conjugated to a targeting ligand, as described, for example, in International Patent Application Publication WO 2016/100401, which was published on Jun. 23, 2016, the relevant contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • oligonucleotide that reduces the expression of PCSK9 to the hepatocytes of the liver of a subject.
  • Any suitable hepatocyte targeting moiety may be used for this purpose.
  • GalNAc is a high affinity ligand for asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR), which is primarily expressed on the sinusoidal surface of hepatocyte cells and has a major role in binding, internalization, and subsequent clearance of circulating glycoproteins that contain terminal galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine residues (asialoglycoproteins).
  • Conjugation (either indirect or direct) of GalNAc moieties to oligonucleotides of the instant disclosure may be used to target these oligonucleotides to the ASGPR expressed on these hepatocyte cells.
  • an oligonucleotide of the instant disclosure is conjugated directly or indirectly to a monovalent GalNAc.
  • the oligonucleotide is conjugated directly or indirectly to more than one monovalent GalNAc (i.e., is conjugated to 2, 3, or 4 monovalent GalNAc moieties, and is typically conjugated to 3 or 4 monovalent GalNAc moieties).
  • an oligonucleotide of the instant disclosure is conjugated to one or more bivalent GalNAc, trivalent GalNAc, or tetravalent GalNAc moieties.
  • nucleotides of an oligonucleotide are each conjugated to a GalNAc moiety.
  • 2 to 4 nucleotides of the loop (L) of the stem-loop are each conjugated to a separate GalNAc.
  • targeting ligands are conjugated to 2 to 4 nucleotides at either ends of the sense or antisense strand (e.g., ligands are conjugated to a 2 to 4 nucleotide overhang or extension on the 5′ or 3′ end of the sense or antisense strand) such that the GalNAc moieties resemble bristles of a toothbrush and the oligonucleotide resembles a toothbrush.
  • an oligonucleotide may comprise a stem-loop at either the 5′ or 3′ end of the sense strand and 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides of the loop of the stem may be individually conjugated to a GalNAc moiety.
  • GalNAc moieties are conjugated to a nucleotide of the sense strand.
  • four GalNAc moieties can be conjugated to nucleotides in the tetraloop of the sense strand, where each GalNAc moiety is conjugated to one nucleotide.
  • a targeting ligand is conjugated to a nucleotide using a click linker.
  • an acetal-based linker is used to conjugate a targeting ligand to a nucleotide of any one of the oligonucleotides described herein.
  • Acetal-based linkers are disclosed, for example, in International Patent Application Publication Number WO2016100401 A1, which published on Jun. 23, 2016, and the contents of which relating to such linkers are incorporated herein by reference.
  • the linker is a labile linker.
  • the linker is fairly stable.
  • a duplex extension (up to 3, 4, 5, or 6 base pairs in length) is provided between a targeting ligand (e.g., a GalNAc moiety) and a double-stranded oligonucleotide.
  • compositions comprising oligonucleotides (e.g., single-stranded or double-stranded oligonucleotides) to reduce the expression of PCSK9.
  • oligonucleotides e.g., single-stranded or double-stranded oligonucleotides
  • Such compositions can be suitably formulated such that when administered to a subject, either into the immediate environment of a target cell or systemically, a sufficient portion of the oligonucleotides enters the cell to reduce PCSK9 expression.
  • an oligonucleotide is formulated in buffer solutions such as phosphate-buffered saline solutions, liposomes, micellar structures, and capsids.
  • buffer solutions such as phosphate-buffered saline solutions, liposomes, micellar structures, and capsids.
  • naked oligonucleotides or conjugates thereof are formulated in water or in an aqueous solution (e.g., water with pH adjustments).
  • naked oligonucleotides or conjugates thereof are formulated in basic buffered aqueous solutions (e.g., PBS)
  • Formulations of oligonucleotides with cationic lipids can be used to facilitate transfection of the oligonucleotides into cells.
  • cationic lipids such as lipofectin, cationic glycerol derivatives, and polycationic molecules (e.g., polylysine) can be used.
  • Suitable lipids include Oligofectamine, Lipofectamine (Life Technologies), NC388 (Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boulder, Colo.), or FuGene 6 (Roche) all of which can be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • a formulation comprises a lipid nanoparticle.
  • an excipient comprises a liposome, a lipid, a lipid complex, a microsphere, a microparticle, a nanosphere, or a nanoparticle, or may be otherwise formulated for administration to the cells, tissues, organs, or body of a subject in need thereof (see, e.g., Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 22nd edition, Pharmaceutical Press, 2013).
  • formulations as disclosed herein comprise an excipient.
  • an excipient confers to a composition improved stability, improved absorption, improved solubility and/or therapeutic enhancement of the active ingredient.
  • an excipient is a buffering agent (e.g., sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, a tris base, or sodium hydroxide) or a vehicle (e.g., a buffered solution, petrolatum, dimethyl sulfoxide, or mineral oil).
  • a buffering agent e.g., sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, a tris base, or sodium hydroxide
  • a vehicle e.g., a buffered solution, petrolatum, dimethyl sulfoxide, or mineral oil.
  • an oligonucleotide is lyophilized for extending its shelf-life and then made into a solution before use (e.g., administration to a subject).
  • an excipient in a composition comprising any one of the oligonucleotides described herein may be a lyoprotectant (e.g., mannitol, lactose, polyethylene glycol, or polyvinyl pyrolidone), or a collapse temperature modifier (e.g., dextran, ficoll, or gelatin).
  • a lyoprotectant e.g., mannitol, lactose, polyethylene glycol, or polyvinyl pyrolidone
  • a collapse temperature modifier e.g., dextran, ficoll, or gelatin
  • a pharmaceutical composition is formulated to be compatible with its intended route of administration.
  • routes of administration include parenteral, e.g., intravenous, intradermal, subcutaneous, oral (e.g., inhalation), transdermal (topical), transmucosal, and rectal administration.
  • the route of administration is intravenous or subcutaneous.
  • compositions suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions (where water soluble) or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions.
  • suitable carriers include physiological saline, bacteriostatic water, Cremophor ELTM. (BASF, Parsippany, N.J.) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS).
  • the carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof.
  • isotonic agents for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, and sodium chloride in the composition.
  • Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the oligonucleotides in a required amount in a selected solvent with one or a combination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization.
  • a composition may contain at least about 0.1% of the therapeutic agent (e.g., an oligonucleotide for reducing PCSK9 expression) or more, although the percentage of the active ingredient(s) may be between about 1% and about 80% or more of the weight or volume of the total composition.
  • the therapeutic agent e.g., an oligonucleotide for reducing PCSK9 expression
  • the percentage of the active ingredient(s) may be between about 1% and about 80% or more of the weight or volume of the total composition.
  • Factors such as solubility, bioavailability, biological half-life, route of administration, product shelf life, as well as other pharmacological considerations will be contemplated by one skilled in the art of preparing such pharmaceutical formulations, and as such, a variety of dosages and treatment regimens may be desirable.
  • a cell is any cell that expresses PCSK9 (e.g., liver, lung, kidney, spleen, testis, adipose, and intestinal cells).
  • the cell is a primary cell that has been obtained from a subject and that may have undergone a limited number of a passages, such that the cell substantially maintains its natural phenotypic properties.
  • a cell to which the oligonucleotide is delivered is ex vivo or in vitro (i.e., can be delivered to a cell in culture or to an organism in which the cell resides).
  • methods are provided for delivering to a cell an effective amount any one of the oligonucleotides disclosed herein for purposes of reducing expression of PCSK9 solely or primarily in hepatocytes.
  • oligonucleotides disclosed herein can be introduced using appropriate nucleic acid delivery methods including injection of a solution containing the oligonucleotides, bombardment by particles covered by the oligonucleotides, exposing the cell or organism to a solution containing the oligonucleotides, or electroporation of cell membranes in the presence of the oligonucleotides.
  • Other appropriate methods for delivering oligonucleotides to cells may be used, such as lipid-mediated carrier transport, chemical-mediated transport, and cationic liposome transfection such as calcium phosphate, and others.
  • an appropriate assay to evaluate one or more properties of a cell or subject or by biochemical techniques that evaluate molecules indicative of PCSK9 expression (e.g., RNA, protein).
  • the extent to which an oligonucleotide provided herein reduces levels of expression of PCSK9 is evaluated by comparing expression levels (e.g., mRNA or protein levels of PCSK9 to an appropriate control (e.g., a level of PCSK9 expression in a cell or population of cells to which an oligonucleotide has not been delivered or to which a negative control has been delivered).
  • an appropriate control level of PCSK9 expression may be a predetermined level or value, such that a control level need not be measured every time.
  • the predetermined level or value can take a variety of forms.
  • a predetermined level or value can be single cut-off value, such as a median or mean.
  • administration of an oligonucleotide as described herein results in a reduction in the level of PCSK9 expression in a cell.
  • the reduction in levels of PCSK9 expression may be a reduction to 1% or lower, 5% or lower, 10% or lower, 15% or lower, 20% or lower, 25% or lower, 30% or lower, 35% or lower, 40% or lower, 45% or lower, 50% or lower, 55% or lower, 60% or lower, 70% or lower, 80% or lower, or 90% or lower compared with an appropriate control level of PCSK9.
  • the appropriate control level may be a level of PCSK9 expression in a cell or population of cells that has not been contacted with an oligonucleotide as described herein.
  • the effect of delivery of an oligonucleotide to a cell according to a method disclosed herein is assessed after a finite period of time.
  • levels of PCSK9 may be analyzed in a cell at least 8 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, 24 hours; or at least one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, or fourteen days after introduction of the oligonucleotide into the cell.
  • an oligonucleotide is delivered in the form of a transgene that is engineered to express in a cell the oligonucleotides disclosed herein (e.g., in the form of an shRNA).
  • an oligonucleotide is delivered using a transgene that is engineered to express any oligonucleotide disclosed herein.
  • Transgenes may be delivered using viral vectors (e.g., adenovirus, retrovirus, vaccinia virus, poxvirus, adeno-associated virus or herpes simplex virus) or non-viral vectors (e.g., plasmids or synthetic mRNAs).
  • transgenes can be injected directly to a subject.
  • aspects of the disclosure relate to methods for reducing PCSK9 expression for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof in a subject.
  • the methods may comprise administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of any one of the oligonucleotides disclosed herein.
  • such treatments may be used, for example, to decrease or prevent hypercholesterolemia (high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol), atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease), angina, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, heart palpitations, stroke (i.e., death of brain cells resulting from insufficient blood and oxygen flow to the brain), feelings of weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, dizziness, difficulty in walking or standing up straight, blurred vision, numbness of the face, arms, and legs, severe headaches, loss of consciousness, peripheral artery disease, and/or kidney problems (e.g., chronic kidney disease).
  • such treatments may be used, for example, to treat or prevent one or more symptoms associated with hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof.
  • the present disclosure provides methods of treating a subject at risk of (or susceptible to) hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof including coronary heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease), angina, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, heart palpitations, stroke (i.e., death of brain cells resulting from insufficient blood and oxygen flow to the brain), feelings of weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, dizziness, difficulty in walking or standing up straight, blurred vision, numbness of the face, arms, and legs, severe headaches, loss of consciousness, peripheral artery disease, and/or kidney problems (e.g., chronic kidney disease).
  • coronary heart disease e.g., coronary artery disease
  • angina shortness of breath
  • sweating nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath
  • arrhythmias i.e., heart palpitations
  • stroke i.e., death of brain cells resulting from insufficient blood
  • the disclosure provides a method for preventing in a subject, a disease, disorder, symptom, or condition as described herein by administering to the subject a therapeutic agent (e.g., an oligonucleotide or vector or transgene encoding same).
  • a therapeutic agent e.g., an oligonucleotide or vector or transgene encoding same.
  • the subject to be treated is a subject who will benefit therapeutically from a reduction in the amount of PCSK9 protein, e.g., in the liver.
  • Methods described herein typically involve administering to a subject an effective amount of an oligonucleotide, that is, an amount capable of producing a desirable therapeutic result.
  • a therapeutically acceptable amount may be an amount that is capable of treating a disease or disorder.
  • the appropriate dosage for any one subject will depend on certain factors, including the subject's size, body surface area, age, the particular composition to be administered, the active ingredient(s) in the composition, time and route of administration, general health, and other drugs being administered concurrently.
  • a subject is administered any one of the compositions disclosed herein either enterally (e.g., orally, by gastric feeding tube, by duodenal feeding tube, via gastrostomy or rectally), parenterally (e.g., subcutaneous injection, intravenous injection or infusion, intra-arterial injection or infusion, intramuscular injection), topically (e.g., epicutaneous, inhalational, via eye drops, or through a mucous membrane), or by direct injection into a target organ (e.g., the liver of a subject).
  • oligonucleotides disclosed herein are administered intravenously or subcutaneously.
  • oligonucleotides are administered at a dose in a range of 0.1 mg/kg to 25 mg/kg (e.g., 1 mg/kg to 5 mg/kg). In some embodiments, oligonucleotides are administered at a dose in a range of 0.1 mg/kg to 5 mg/kg or in a range of 0.5 mg/kg to 5 mg/kg.
  • the oligonucleotides of the instant disclosure would typically be administered once per year, twice per year, quarterly (once every three months), bi-monthly (once every two months), monthly, or weekly.
  • the subject to be treated is a human (e.g., a human patient) or non-human primate or other mammalian subject.
  • Other exemplary subjects include domesticated animals such as dogs and cats; livestock such as horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and chickens; and animals such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, and hamsters.
  • the computer-based algorithm provided oligonucleotides that were complementary to human PCSK9 mRNA (SEQ ID NO: 1245, Table 1), of which certain sequences were also complementary to Rhesus monkey PCSK9 mRNA (SEQ ID NO: 1246, Table 1).
  • oligonucleotides were selected as candidates for experimental evaluation in a Huh-7 cell-based assay.
  • Huh-7 human liver cells stably expressing PCSK9 were transfected with the oligonucleotides.
  • Cells were maintained for a period of time following transfection and then levels of remaining PCSK9 mRNA were interrogated using TAQMAN®-based qPCR assays.
  • Two qPCR assays, a 3′ assay and a 5′ assay, were used to determine mRNA levels as measured by HEX (housekeeping gene—SFRS9) and FAM probes, respectively.
  • FIGS. 1 A and 1 B The results of the cell-based assay with the 576 oligonucleotides are shown in FIGS. 1 A and 1 B .
  • the percent mRNA remaining is shown for each of the 5′ assay (circle shapes) and the 3′ assay (diamond shapes) in FIG. 1 B .
  • Oligonucleotides with the lowest percentage of mRNA remaining compared to mock transfection controls were considered hits.
  • Oligonucleotides with low complementarity to the human genome were used as negative controls.
  • hotspots on the human PCSK9 mRNA were defined.
  • a hotspot was identified as a stretch on the human PCSK9 mRNA sequence associated with at least one oligonucleotide resulting in mRNA levels that were less than or equal to 35% in either assay compared with controls. Accordingly, the following hotspots within the human PCSK9 mRNA sequence (NM_174936.3) were identified: 746-783, 2602-2639, 2737-2792, 2880-2923, 2956-2996, 3015-3075, 3099-3178, 3190-3244, 3297-3359, 3649-3446, 3457-3499, and 3532-3715.
  • 96 particularly active oligonucleotides were selected as hits based on their ability to knock down PCSK9 levels and were subjected to a secondary screen ( FIGS. 2 A and 2 B ).
  • the candidate oligonucleotides were tested using the same assay as in the primary screen, but at two different concentrations 0.1 nM and 1 nM ( FIGS. 2 A and 2 B ).
  • the target mRNA levels were generally normalized based on splicing factor, arginine/serine-rich 9 (SFRS9), a housekeeping gene that provides a stable expression reference across samples, to generate the percent mRNA shown in FIGS. 2 A and 2 B .
  • the tested oligonucleotides in each of FIGS. 2 A and 2 B are shown compared to mock transfection control.
  • All 96 oligonucleotides had the same modification pattern, designated M1, which contains a combination of ribonucleotides, deoxyribonucleotides and 2′-O-methyl modified nucleotides.
  • M1 The sequences of the 96 oligonucleotides tested are provided in Table 3.
  • sense strand of SEQ ID NO: 35 hybridizes with antisense strand of SEQ ID NO: 488; each of the oligonucleotides tested had the same modification pattern.
  • the selected sequences were converted to a nicked tetraloop conjugate structure format (a 36-mer passenger strand with a 22-mer guide strand). See FIG. 3 for a generic tetraloop conjugate structure.
  • GalNAc moieties were conjugated to nucleotides in the tetraloop of the sense strand. Conjugation was performed using a click linker. The GalNAc used was as shown below:
  • oligonucleotides were then tested as before, and each oligonucleotide was evaluated at two concentrations for its ability to reduce PCSK9 mRNA expression in vitro, using Huh-7 cells, as well as in vivo, using a mouse HDI model.
  • FIG. 5 A Further tetraloop sequences were tested in human Huh-7 cells at two different concentrations (0.03 nM and 0.1 nM in tetraloop formation; labeled as “Phase T2”) ( FIG. 5 A ). From the 40 tetraloop oligonucleotides tested (shown in FIG. 5 A ), 21 different base sequences were selected to be scaled up as 5′-MOP/GalNAc conjugates for further in vivo testing ( FIGS. 5 B and 5 C ).
  • the PCSK9 oligonucleotides were subcutaneously administered to CD-1 mice transiently expressing human PCSK9 mRNA by hydrodynamic injection (HDI) of a human PCSK9 expression plasmid (pcDNA3.1-hPCSK9, total 16 ⁇ g). Mice were euthanized on day 4 following administration. Liver samples were obtained and RNA was extracted to evaluate PCSK9 mRNA levels by RT-qPCR. The percent PCSK9 mRNA as compared to PBS control mRNA was determined based on these measurements. As shown in FIGS. 5 B- 5 C , different concentrations (1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg) were used for the candidate molecules. A candidate of sense sequence SEQ ID NO: 1182 and antisense sequence SEQ ID NO: 1222 may be seen in both FIG. 5 B and FIG. 5 C .
  • RNAiMAXTM Lipofectamine RNAiMAXTM was used to complex the oligonucleotides for efficient transfection. Oligonucleotides, RNAiMAX and Opti-MEM incubated together at room temperature for 20 minutes and then 50 ⁇ L of this mix was added per well to plates prior to transfection. Media was aspirated from a flask of actively passaging cells and the cells were incubated at 37° C. in the presence of trypsin for 3-5 minutes. After cells no longer adhered to the flask, cell growth media (lacking penicillin and streptomycin) was added to neutralize the trypsin and to suspend the cells.
  • cell growth media lacking penicillin and streptomycin
  • a 10 ⁇ L aliquot was removed and cells were counted with a hemocytometer to quantify the cells on a per milliliter basis.
  • a diluted cell suspension was added to the 96-well transfection plates, which already contained the oligonucleotides in Opti-MEM. The transfection plates were then incubated for 24 hours at 37° C. After 24 hours of incubation, media was aspirated from each well.
  • RNAiMAX Lipofectamine RNAiMAX was used to complex the oligonucleotides for reverse transfection.
  • the complexes were made by mixing RNAiMAX and siRNAs in OptiMEM medium for 15 minutes.
  • the transfection mixture was transferred to multi-well plates and cell suspension was added to the wells. After 24 hours incubation the cells were washed once with PBS and then processed described above.
  • CD-1 female mice were obtained from Charles River Laboratories. All mice were maintained in an AALAC and IACUC approved animal facility at the Dicerna Pharmaceuticals. Animals were divided into appropriate number of study groups and dosed with the test article assigned to that group. Animals were dosed subcutaneously with the PCSK tetraloop conjugates. Animals were administered with 2 ml hPCSK9 plasmid suspended in PBS per animal by tail vein intravenous injection on day 3 after the subcutaneous dosing of tetraloop conjugate. Mice were sacrificed on days 4 via CO 2 asphyxiation and liver tissue was collected.
  • Liver tissue was collected by taking two 4 mm punch biopsies and processed to RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, q-RT PCR, according the manufacturer's protocol.
  • pcDNA3.1-hPCSK9 plasmid encoding the human PCSK9 (NM 174936.3) gene (hPCSK9) was synthesized by Genewiz.
  • RNA samples were lysed for 5 minutes using the iScript RT-qPCR sample preparation buffer from Bio-Rad.
  • the supernatants containing total RNA were then stored at ⁇ 80° C. or used for reverse transcription using the High Capacity Reverse Transcription kit (Life Technologies) in a 10 microliter reaction.
  • the cDNA was then diluted to 50 ⁇ L with nuclease free water and used for quantitative PCR with multiplexed 5′-endonuclease assays and SSoFast qPCR mastermix (Bio-Rad laboratories).
  • mRNA levels were quantified by two 5′ nuclease assays.
  • several assays are screened for each target.
  • the two assays selected displayed a combination of good efficiency, low limit of detection, and broad 5′43′ coverage of the gene of interest (GOI).
  • GOI gene of interest
  • Both assays against one GOI could be combined in one reaction when different fluorophores were used on the respective probes.
  • the final step in assay validation was to determine the efficiency of the selected assays when they were combined in the same qPCR or “multi-plexed.”
  • Cq values for the target of interest were also assessed using cDNA as the template.
  • the cDNA in this case, was derived from RNA isolated on the Corbett ( ⁇ 5 ng/ ⁇ l in water) from untransfected cells. In this way, the observed Cq values from this sample cDNA were representative of the expected Cq values from a 96-well plate transfection. In cases where Cq values were greater than 30, other cell lines were sought that exhibit higher expression levels of the gene of interest.
  • a library of total RNA isolated from via high-throughput methods on the Corbett from each human and mouse line was generated and used to screen for acceptable levels of target expression.
  • oligonucleotides described herein are designated either SN 1 -ASN 2 -MN 3 . The following designations apply:
  • sequences presented in the sequence listing may be referred to in describing the structure of an oligonucleotide or other nucleic acid.
  • the actual oligonucleotide or other nucleic acid may have one or more alternative nucleotides (e.g., an RNA counterpart of a DNA nucleotide or a DNA counterpart of an RNA nucleotide) and/or one or more modified nucleotides and/or one or more modified internucleotide linkages and/or one or more other modification compared with the specified sequence while retaining essentially same or similar complementary properties as the specified sequence.

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Abstract

This disclosure relates to oligonucleotides, compositions and methods useful for reducing PCSK9 expression, particularly in hepatocytes. Disclosed oligonucleotides for the reduction of PCSK9 expression may be double-stranded or single-stranded, and may be modified for improved characteristics such as stronger resistance to nucleases and lower immunogenicity. Disclosed oligonucleotides for the reduction of PCSK9 expression may also include targeting ligands to target a particular cell or organ, such as the hepatocytes of the liver, and may be used to treat hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof.

Description

    CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/048,846, filed Oct. 19, 2020, which is a National Stage application, filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371, of International Application No. PCT/US2019/025253, filed Apr. 1, 2019, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/659,693, filed Apr. 18, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/820,558, filed Mar. 19, 2019, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present application relates to oligonucleotides and uses thereof, particularly uses relating to the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof.
  • REFERENCE TO THE SEQUENCE LISTING
  • The present application is being filed along with a Sequence Listing in electronic format. The Sequence Listing is provided as a file entitled 400930-020USD1-195261.txt created on Nov. 30, 2022 which is 257 kilobytes in size. The information in electronic format of the sequence listing is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Cholesterol is one of three major classes of lipids manufactured by animal cells and used to construct cell membranes. Cholesterol is water insoluble and transported in the blood plasma within protein particles (lipoproteins). Any lipoprotein (e.g., very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL)) may carry cholesterol, but elevated levels of non-HDL cholesterol (most particularly LDL-cholesterol) are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease). This type of elevated cholesterol is known as hypercholesterolemia. Hypercholesterolemia can lead to the deposition of plaques on artery walls, known as atherosclerosis. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-9 (also known as PCSK9) is a serine protease that indirectly regulates plasma LDL cholesterol levels by controlling both hepatic and extrahepatic LDL receptor (LDLR) expression at the plasma membrane. Decreased expression of the PCSK9 protein increases expression of the LDLR receptor, thereby decreasing plasma LDL cholesterol and the resultant hypercholesterolemia and/or atherosclerosis as well as complications arising from the same.
  • BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • Aspects of the disclosure relate to oligonucleotides and related methods for treating hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof in a subject. In some embodiments, potent RNAi oligonucleotides have been developed for selectively inhibiting PCSK9 expression in a subject. In some embodiments, the RNAi oligonucleotides are useful for reducing PCSK9 activity, and thereby decreasing or preventing hypercholesterolemia (high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol), atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof. In some embodiments, key regions of PCSK9 mRNA (referred to as hotspots) have been identified herein that are particularly amenable to targeting using such oligonucleotide-based approaches (See Example 1).
  • One aspect of the present disclosure provides oligonucleotides for reducing expression of PCSK9. In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides comprise an antisense strand comprising a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, 1193-1232, 1257-1265, or 1269-1271. In some embodiments, the oligonucleotides further comprise a sense strand that comprises a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453, 907-1029, 1153-1192, 1248-1256, or 1266-1268. In some embodiments, the antisense strand consists of a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, 1193-1232, 1257-1265, or 1269-1271. In some embodiments, the sense strand consists of a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453, 907-1029, 1153-1192, 1248-1256, or 1266-1268. One aspect of the present disclosure provides oligonucleotides for reducing expression of PCSK9, in which the oligonucleotides comprise an antisense strand of 15 to 30 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the antisense strand has a region of complementarity to a target sequence of PCSK9 as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1233-1244. In some embodiments, the region of complementarity is at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, or at least 21 contiguous nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the region of complementarity is fully complementary to the target sequence of PCSK9. In some embodiments, the region of complementarity is at least 19 contiguous nucleotides in length.
  • In some embodiments, the sense strand comprises a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453, 907-1029, or 1153-1192. In some embodiments, the sense strand consists of a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453, 907-1029, or 1153-1192. In some embodiments, the antisense strand comprises a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, or 1193-1232. In some embodiments, the antisense strand consists of a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, or 1193-1232.
  • In some embodiments, the antisense strand is 19 to 27 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the antisense strand is 21 to 27 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide further comprises a sense strand of 15 to 40 nucleotides in length, in which the sense strand forms a duplex region with the antisense strand. In some embodiments, the sense strand is 19 to 40 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the duplex region is at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, or at least 22 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the antisense strand is 27 nucleotides in length and the sense strand is 25 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the antisense strand and sense strand form a duplex region of 25 nucleotides in length.
  • In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide comprises an antisense strand and a sense strand that are each in a range of 21 to 23 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide comprises a duplex structure in a range of 19 to 21 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide comprises a 3′-overhang sequence of one or more nucleotides in length, in which the 3′-overhang sequence is present on the antisense strand, the sense strand, or the antisense strand and sense strand. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide further comprises a 3′-overhang sequence on the antisense strand of two nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide comprises a 3′-overhang sequence of two nucleotides in length, in which the 3′-overhang sequence is present on the antisense strand, and in which the sense strand is 21 nucleotides in length and the antisense strand is 23 nucleotides in length, such that the sense strand and antisense strand form a duplex of 21 nucleotides in length.
  • Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an oligonucleotide for reducing expression of PCSK9, the oligonucleotide comprising an antisense strand and a sense strand, in which the antisense strand is 21 to 27 nucleotides in length and has a region of complementarity to PCSK9, in which the sense strand comprises at its 3′-end a stem-loop set forth as: S1-L-S2, in which S1 is complementary to S2, and in which L forms a loop between S1 and S2 of 3 to 5 nucleotides in length, and in which the antisense strand and the sense strand form a duplex structure of at least 19 nucleotides in length but are not covalently linked. In some embodiments, the sense strand comprises at its 3′-end a stem-loop set forth as: S1-L-S2, in which S1 is complementary to S2, and in which L forms a loop between S1 and S2 of 3 to 5 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the region of complementarity is fully complementary to at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, or at least 21 contiguous nucleotides of PCSK9 mRNA. In some embodiments, L is a tetraloop. In some embodiments, L is 4 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, L comprises a sequence set forth as GAAA.
  • In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified nucleotide. In some embodiments, the modified nucleotide comprises a 2′-modification. In some embodiments, the 2′-modification is a modification selected from: 2′-aminoethyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-methyl, 2′-O-methoxyethyl, and 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-β-d-arabinonucleic acid. In some embodiments, all of the nucleotides of an oligonucleotide are modified.
  • In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified internucleotide linkage. In some embodiments, the at least one modified internucleotide linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage. In some embodiments, the 4′-carbon of the sugar of the 5′-nucleotide of the antisense strand comprises a phosphate analog. In some embodiments, the phosphate analog is oxymethylphosphonate, vinylphosphonate, or malonylphosphonate.
  • In some embodiments, at least one nucleotide of an oligonucleotide is conjugated to one or more targeting ligands. In some embodiments, each targeting ligand comprises a carbohydrate, amino sugar, cholesterol, polypeptide, or lipid. In some embodiments, each targeting ligand comprises a N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) moiety. In some embodiments, the GalNac moiety is a monovalent GalNAc moiety, a bivalent GalNAc moiety, a trivalent GalNAc moiety, or a tetravalent GalNAc moiety. In some embodiments, up to 4 nucleotides of L of the stem-loop are each conjugated to a monovalent GalNAc moiety. In other embodiments, a bi-valent, tri-valent, or tetravalent GalNac moiety is conjugated to a single nucleotide, e.g., of the nucleotides of L of a stem loop. In some embodiments, the targeting ligand comprises an aptamer.
  • Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a composition comprising an oligonucleotide of the present disclosure and an excipient. Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method comprising administering a composition of the present disclosure to a subject. In some embodiments, the method results in a decrease in level or severity of, or results in prevention of, hypercholesterolemia (high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol), atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease), angina, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, heart palpitations, stroke (i.e., death of brain cells resulting from insufficient blood and oxygen flow to the brain), feelings of weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, dizziness, difficulty in walking or standing up straight, blurred vision, numbness of the face, arms, and legs, severe headaches, loss of consciousness, peripheral artery disease, and/or kidney problems (e.g., chronic kidney disease). Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for treating hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof.
  • Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an oligonucleotide for reducing expression of PCSK9, the oligonucleotide comprising a sense strand of 15 to 40 nucleotides in length and an antisense strand of 15 to 30 nucleotides in length, in which the sense strand forms a duplex region with the antisense strand, in which the sense strand comprises a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453, 907-1029, 1153-1192, 1248-1256, or 1266-1268 and the antisense strand comprises a complementary sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, 1193-1232, 1257-1265, or 1269-1271.
  • In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide comprises a pair of sense and antisense strands selected from a row of the table set forth in Table 4.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate certain embodiments, and together with the written description, serve to provide non-limiting examples of certain aspects of the compositions and methods disclosed herein.
  • FIGS. 1A and 1B are graphs showing the percentage of PCSK9 mRNA remaining after a screen of 576 PCSK9 oligonucleotides in Huh-7 cells. The nucleotide position in NM_174936.3 that corresponds to the 3′ end of the sense strand of each siRNA is indicated on the x axis.
  • FIGS. 2A-2D are a set of graphs showing the percentage of mRNA remaining after PCSK9 oligonucleotide screening of 96 PCSK9 oligonucleotides at two different concentrations (0.1 nM and 1 nM) in Huh-7 cells. The H number on the X-axis indicates the position in the PCSK9 mRNA mapping to the 5′ end of the antisense strand of the oligonucleotides.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic showing a non-limiting example of a double-stranded oligonucleotide with a nicked tetraloop structure that has been conjugated to four GalNAc moieties (diamond shapes).
  • FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results of screening in a mouse hydrodynamic injection (HDI) model using PCSK9 tetraloop conjugates of 12 different base sequences with a single modification pattern. PBS, shown on the far left, was used as a control.
  • FIGS. 5A-5C are graphs showing the results of screening in Huh-7 cells (FIG. 5A) and in a mouse HDI model (FIGS. 5B and 5C) using PCSK9 oligonucleotides of different base sequences. FIG. 5A is a graph showing the percentage of PCSK9 mRNA remaining after screening of 40 nicked-tetraloop structures. The same modification pattern was used, and the oligonucleotides were tested at two different concentrations (0.03 nM and 0.1 nM; labeled as “Phase T2” in FIG. 5A). FIG. 5B shows a human-specific PCSK9 tetraloop conjugate screen in the mouse HDI model at a 2 mg/kg subcutaneous dose using three different modification patterns. FIG. 5C shows the same test as described in FIG. 5B, except at a 1 mg/kg subcutaneous dose (except for the control, which was dosed at both 1 and 2 mg/kg). Two different modification patterns were used. PBS was used as a control and is shown to the left.
  • FIGS. 6A and 6B are graphs showing the results of screening in a mouse hydrodynamic injection (HDI) model using three different PCSK9 tetraloop conjugates with varied modification patterns at three different concentrations. PBS, shown on the far left, was used as a control.
  • FIGS. 7A-7D are graphs showing an in vivo activity evaluation of PCSK9 oligonucleotides in a tetraloop conjugate in non-human primates. Candidate sequences were tested with different modifications. FIG. 7A shows the analysis of PCSK9 remaining and LDL-C lowering using a candidate PCSK9 tetraloop conjugate with two different modification patterns. The ability of the oligonucleotide to lower plasma PCSK9 through Day 30 (FIG. 7B) and through Day 90 (FIG. 7C) was measured using a PCSK9 ELISA. Serum levels of LDL were also measured, as shown in FIG. 7D.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • According to some aspects, the disclosure provides oligonucleotides targeting PCSK9 mRNA that are effective for reducing PCSK9 expression in cells, particularly liver cells (e.g., hepatocytes) for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof. Accordingly, in related aspects, the disclosure provides methods of treating hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof that involve selectively reducing PCSK9 gene expression in liver. In certain embodiments, PCSK9 targeting oligonucleotides provided herein are designed for delivery to selected cells of target tissues (e.g., liver hepatocytes) to treat hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof in a subject.
  • Further aspects of the disclosure, including a description of defined terms, are provided below.
  • I. Definitions
  • Approximately: As used herein, the term “approximately” or “about,” as applied to one or more values of interest, refers to a value that is similar to a stated reference value. In certain embodiments, the term “approximately” or “about” refers to a range of values that fall within 25%, 20%, 19%, 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, or less in either direction (greater than or less than) of the stated reference value unless otherwise stated or otherwise evident from the context (except where such number would exceed 100% of a possible value).
  • Administering: As used herein, the terms “administering” or “administration” means to provide a substance (e.g., an oligonucleotide) to a subject in a manner that is pharmacologically useful (e.g., to treat a condition in the subject).
  • Asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR): As used herein, the term “Asialoglycoprotein receptor” or “ASGPR” refers to a bipartite C-type lectin formed by a major 48 kDa (ASGPR-1) and minor 40 kDa subunit (ASGPR-2). ASGPR is primarily expressed on the sinusoidal surface of hepatocyte cells and has a major role in binding, internalization, and subsequent clearance of circulating glycoproteins that contain terminal galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine residues (asialoglycoproteins).
  • Atherosclerosis: As used herein, the term “atherosclerosis” refers to a disease involving a narrowing of arteries (e.g., coronary, carotid, peripheral, and/or renal arteries) typically due to the buildup of plaques (made from fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances). In some embodiments, narrowing of the coronary arteries may produce symptoms such as angina, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, and/or palpitations. In some embodiments, narrowing of the carotid arteries may result in a stroke (i.e., death of brain cells resulting from insufficient blood and oxygen flow to the brain) and/or may produce symptoms such as feelings of weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, dizziness, difficulty in walking or standing up straight, blurred vision, numbness of the face, arms, and legs, severe headaches, and/or loss of consciousness. In some embodiments, narrowing of the peripheral arteries may result in numbness or pain within the arms or legs. In some embodiments, narrowing of the renal arteries (resulting in decreased kidney blood flow) may result in chronic kidney disease. Complications of atherosclerosis may include coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, and kidney problems (e.g., chronic kidney disease).
  • Complementary: As used herein, the term “complementary” refers to a structural relationship between nucleotides (e.g., on two nucleotides on opposing nucleic acids or on opposing regions of a single nucleic acid strand) that permits the nucleotides to form base pairs with one another. For example, a purine nucleotide of one nucleic acid that is complementary to a pyrimidine nucleotide of an opposing nucleic acid may base pair together by forming hydrogen bonds with one another. In some embodiments, complementary nucleotides can base pair in the Watson-Crick manner or in any other manner that allows for the formation of stable duplexes. In some embodiments, two nucleic acids may have nucleotide sequences that are complementary to each other so as to form regions of complementarity, as described herein.
  • Deoxyribonucleotide: As used herein, the term “deoxyribonucleotide” refers to a nucleotide having a hydrogen at the 2′ position of its pentose sugar as compared with a ribonucleotide. A modified deoxyribonucleotide is a deoxyribonucleotide having one or more modifications or substitutions of atoms other than at the 2′ position, including modifications or substitutions in or of the sugar, phosphate group or base.
  • Double-stranded oligonucleotide: As used herein, the term “double-stranded oligonucleotide” refers to an oligonucleotide that is substantially in a duplex form. In some embodiments, complementary base-pairing of duplex region(s) of a double-stranded oligonucleotide is formed between antiparallel sequences of nucleotides of covalently separate nucleic acid strands. In some embodiments, complementary base-pairing of duplex region(s) of a double-stranded oligonucleotide is formed between antiparallel sequences of nucleotides of nucleic acid strands that are covalently linked. In some embodiments, complementary base-pairing of duplex region(s) of a double-stranded oligonucleotide is formed from a single nucleic acid strand that is folded (e.g., via a hairpin) to provide complementary antiparallel sequences of nucleotides that base pair together. In some embodiments, a double-stranded oligonucleotide comprises two covalently separate nucleic acid strands that are fully duplexed with one another. However, in some embodiments, a double-stranded oligonucleotide comprises two covalently separate nucleic acid strands that are partially duplexed, e.g., having overhangs at one or both ends. In some embodiments, a double-stranded oligonucleotide comprises antiparallel sequences of nucleotides that are partially complementary, and thus, may have one or more mismatches, which may include internal mismatches or end mismatches.
  • Duplex: As used herein, the term “duplex,” in reference to nucleic acids (e.g., oligonucleotides), refers to a structure formed through complementary base-pairing of two antiparallel sequences of nucleotides.
  • Excipient: As used herein, the term “excipient” refers to a non-therapeutic agent that may be included in a composition, for example, to provide or contribute to a desired consistency or stabilizing effect.
  • Hepatocyte: As used herein, the term “hepatocyte” or “hepatocytes” refers to cells of the parenchymal tissues of the liver. These cells make up approximately 70-85% of the liver's mass and manufacture serum albumin, fibrinogen, and the prothrombin group of clotting factors (except for Factors 3 and 4). Markers for hepatocyte lineage cells may include, but are not limited to: transthyretin (Ttr), glutamine synthetase (Glul), hepatocyte nuclear factor 1a (Hnfla), and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4a (Hnf4a). Markers for mature hepatocytes may include, but are not limited to: cytochrome P450 (Cyp3a11), fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (Fah), glucose 6-phosphate (G6p), albumin (Alb), and OC2-2F8. See, e.g., Huch et al., (2013), Nature, 494(7436): 247-250, the contents of which relating to hepatocyte markers is incorporated herein by reference.
  • Hypercholesterolemia: As used herein, the term “hypercholesterolemia” refers to the presence of high levels of cholesterol (e.g., low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol) in the blood. Cholesterol is one of three major classes of lipids manufactured by animal cells and used to construct cell membranes. Cholesterol is water insoluble and transported in the blood plasma within protein particles (lipoproteins). Any lipoprotein (e.g., very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL)) may carry cholesterol, but elevated levels of non-HDL cholesterol (most particularly LDL-cholesterol) are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease).
  • Loop: As used herein, the term “loop” refers to an unpaired region of a nucleic acid (e.g., oligonucleotide) that is flanked by two antiparallel regions of the nucleic acid that are sufficiently complementary to one another, such that under appropriate hybridization conditions (e.g., in a phosphate buffer, in a cells), the two antiparallel regions, which flank the unpaired region, hybridize to form a duplex (referred to as a “stem”).
  • Modified Internucleotide Linkage: As used herein, the term “modified internucleotide linkage” refers to an internucleotide linkage having one or more chemical modifications compared with a reference internucleotide linkage comprising a phosphodiester bond. In some embodiments, a modified nucleotide is a non-naturally occurring linkage. Typically, a modified internucleotide linkage confers one or more desirable properties to a nucleic acid in which the modified internucleotide linkage is present. For example, a modified nucleotide may improve thermal stability, resistance to degradation, nuclease resistance, solubility, bioavailability, bioactivity, reduced immunogenicity, etc.
  • Modified Nucleotide: As used herein, the term “modified nucleotide” refers to a nucleotide having one or more chemical modifications compared with a corresponding reference nucleotide selected from: adenine ribonucleotide, guanine ribonucleotide, cytosine ribonucleotide, uracil ribonucleotide, adenine deoxyribonucleotide, guanine deoxyribonucleotide, cytosine deoxyribonucleotide, and thymidine deoxyribonucleotide. In some embodiments, a modified nucleotide is a non-naturally occurring nucleotide. In some embodiments, a modified nucleotide has one or more chemical modifications in its sugar, nucleobase and/or phosphate group. In some embodiments, a modified nucleotide has one or more chemical moieties conjugated to a corresponding reference nucleotide. Typically, a modified nucleotide confers one or more desirable properties to a nucleic acid in which the modified nucleotide is present. For example, a modified nucleotide may improve thermal stability, resistance to degradation, nuclease resistance, solubility, bioavailability, bioactivity, reduced immunogenicity, etc. In certain embodiments, a modified nucleotide comprises a 2′-O-methyl or a 2′-F substitution at the 2′ position of the ribose ring.
  • Nicked Tetraloop Structure: A “nicked tetraloop structure” is a structure of a RNAi oligonucleotide characterized by the presence of separate sense (passenger) and antisense (guide) strands, in which the sense strand has a region of complementarity to the antisense strand such that the two strands form a duplex, and in which at least one of the strands, generally the sense strand, extends from the duplex in which the extension contains a tetraloop and two self-complementary sequences forming a stem region adjacent to the tetraloop, in which the tetraloop is configured to stabilize the adjacent stem region formed by the self-complementary sequences of the at least one strand.
  • Oligonucleotide: As used herein, the term “oligonucleotide” refers to a short nucleic acid, e.g., of less than 100 nucleotides in length. An oligonucleotide can comprise ribonucleotides, deoxyribonucleotides, and/or modified nucleotides including, for example, modified ribonucleotides. An oligonucleotide may be single-stranded or double-stranded. An oligonucleotide may or may not have duplex regions. As a set of non-limiting examples, an oligonucleotide may be, but is not limited to, a small interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNA (miRNA), short hairpin RNA (shRNA), dicer substrate interfering RNA (dsiRNA), antisense oligonucleotide, short siRNA, or single-stranded siRNA. In some embodiments, a double-stranded oligonucleotide is an RNAi oligonucleotide.
  • Overhang: As used herein, the term “overhang” refers to terminal non-base-pairing nucleotide(s) resulting from one strand or region extending beyond the terminus of a complementary strand with which the one strand or region forms a duplex. In some embodiments, an overhang comprises one or more unpaired nucleotides extending from a duplex region at the 5′ terminus or 3′ terminus of a double-stranded oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, the overhang is a 3′ or 5′ overhang on the antisense strand or sense strand of a double-stranded oligonucleotide.
  • Phosphate analog: As used herein, the term “phosphate analog” refers to a chemical moiety that mimics the electrostatic and/or steric properties of a phosphate group. In some embodiments, a phosphate analog is positioned at the 5′ terminal nucleotide of an oligonucleotide in place of a 5′-phosphate, which is often susceptible to enzymatic removal. In some embodiments, a 5′ phosphate analog contains a phosphatase-resistant linkage. Examples of phosphate analogs include 5′ phosphonates, such as 5′ methylenephosphonate (5′-MP) and 5′-(E)-vinylphosphonate (5′-VP). In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide has a phosphate analog at a 4′-carbon position of the sugar (referred to as a “4′-phosphate analog”) at a 5′-terminal nucleotide. An example of a 4′-phosphate analog is oxymethylphosphonate, in which the oxygen atom of the oxymethyl group is bound to the sugar moiety (e.g., at its 4′-carbon) or analog thereof. See, for example, International Patent Application PCT/US2017/049909, filed on Sep. 1, 2017, U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62/383,207, filed on Sep. 2, 2016, and 62/393,401, filed on Sep. 12, 2016, the contents of each of which relating to phosphate analogs are incorporated herein by reference. Other modifications have been developed for the 5′ end of oligonucleotides (see, e.g., WO 2011/133871; U.S. Pat. No. 8,927,513; and Prakash et al. (2015), Nucleic Acids Res., 43(6):2993-3011, the contents of each of which relating to phosphate analogs are incorporated herein by reference).
  • Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-9 (PCSK9): As used herein, the term “proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-9” (also known as PCSK9, NARC-1, neural apoptosis regulated convertase 1, HCHOLA3, and hypercholesterolemia, autosomal dominant 3) refers to the gene encoding PCSK9 protein.
  • Reduced expression: As used herein, the term “reduced expression” of a gene refers to a decrease in the amount of RNA transcript or protein encoded by the gene and/or a decrease in the amount of activity of the gene in a cell or subject, as compared to an appropriate reference cell or subject. For example, the act of treating a cell with a double-stranded oligonucleotide (e.g., one having an antisense strand that is complementary to PCSK9 mRNA sequence) may result in a decrease in the amount of RNA transcript, protein and/or enzymatic activity (e.g., encoded by the PCSK9 gene) compared to a cell that is not treated with the double-stranded oligonucleotide. Similarly, “reducing expression” as used herein refers to an act that results in reduced expression of a gene (e.g., PCSK9).
  • Region of Complementarity: As used herein, the term “region of complementarity” refers to a sequence of nucleotides of a nucleic acid (e.g., a double-stranded oligonucleotide) that is sufficiently complementary to an antiparallel sequence of nucleotides (e.g., a target nucleotide sequence within an mRNA) to permit hybridization between the two sequences of nucleotides under appropriate hybridization conditions, e.g., in a phosphate buffer, in a cell, etc. A region of complementarity may be fully complementary to a nucleotide sequence (e.g., a target nucleotide sequence present within an mRNA or portion thereof). For example, a region of complementary that is fully complementary to a nucleotide sequence present in an mRNA has a contiguous sequence of nucleotides that is complementary, without any mismatches or gaps, to a corresponding sequence in the mRNA. Alternatively, a region of complementarity may be partially complementary to a nucleotide sequence (e.g., a nucleotide sequence present in an mRNA or portion thereof). For example, a region of complementary that is partially complementary to a nucleotide sequence present in an mRNA has a contiguous sequence of nucleotides that is complementary to a corresponding sequence in the mRNA but that contains one or more mismatches or gaps (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or more mismatches or gaps) compared with the corresponding sequence in the mRNA, provided that the region of complementarity remains capable of hybridizing with the mRNA under appropriate hybridization conditions.
  • Ribonucleotide: As used herein, the term “ribonucleotide” refers to a nucleotide having a ribose as its pentose sugar, which contains a hydroxyl group at its 2′ position. A modified ribonucleotide is a ribonucleotide having one or more modifications or substitutions of atoms other than at the 2′ position, including modifications or substitutions in or of the ribose, phosphate group or base.
  • RNAi Oligonucleotide: As used herein, the term “RNAi oligonucleotide” refers to either (a) a double stranded oligonucleotide having a sense strand (passenger) and antisense strand (guide), in which the antisense strand or part of the antisense strand is used by the Argonaute 2 (Ago2) endonuclease in the cleavage of a target mRNA or (b) a single stranded oligonucleotide having a single antisense strand, where that antisense strand (or part of that antisense strand) is used by the Ago2 endonuclease in the cleavage of a target mRNA.
  • Strand: As used herein, the term “strand” refers to a single contiguous sequence of nucleotides linked together through internucleotide linkages (e.g., phosphodiester linkages, phosphorothioate linkages). In some embodiments, a strand has two free ends, e.g., a 5′-end and a 3′-end.
  • Subject: As used herein, the term “subject” means any mammal, including mice, rabbits, and humans. In one embodiment, the subject is a human or non-human primate. The terms “individual” or “patient” may be used interchangeably with “subject.”
  • Synthetic: As used herein, the term “synthetic” refers to a nucleic acid or other molecule that is artificially synthesized (e.g., using a machine (e.g., a solid state nucleic acid synthesizer)) or that is otherwise not derived from a natural source (e.g., a cell or organism) that normally produces the molecule.
  • Targeting ligand: As used herein, the term “targeting ligand” refers to a molecule (e.g., a carbohydrate, amino sugar, cholesterol, polypeptide, or lipid) that selectively binds to a cognate molecule (e.g., a receptor) of a tissue or cell of interest and that is conjugatable to another substance for purposes of targeting the other substance to the tissue or cell of interest. For example, in some embodiments, a targeting ligand may be conjugated to an oligonucleotide for purposes of targeting the oligonucleotide to a specific tissue or cell of interest. In some embodiments, a targeting ligand selectively binds to a cell surface receptor. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a targeting ligand when conjugated to an oligonucleotide facilitates delivery of the oligonucleotide into a particular cell through selective binding to a receptor expressed on the surface of the cell and endosomal internalization by the cell of the complex comprising the oligonucleotide, targeting ligand, and receptor. In some embodiments, a targeting ligand is conjugated to an oligonucleotide via a linker that is cleaved following or during cellular internalization such that the oligonucleotide is released from the targeting ligand in the cell.
  • Tetraloop: As used herein, the term “tetraloop” refers to a loop that increases stability of an adjacent duplex formed by hybridization of flanking sequences of nucleotides. The increase in stability is detectable as an increase in melting temperature (Tm) of an adjacent stem duplex that is higher than the Tm of the adjacent stem duplex expected, on average, from a set of loops of comparable length consisting of randomly selected sequences of nucleotides. For example, a tetraloop can confer a melting temperature of at least 50° C., at least 55° C., at least 56° C., at least 58° C., at least 60° C., at least 65° C., or at least 75° C. in 10 mM NaHPO4 to a hairpin comprising a duplex of at least 2 base pairs in length. In some embodiments, a tetraloop may stabilize a base pair in an adjacent stem duplex by stacking interactions. In addition, interactions among the nucleotides in a tetraloop include, but are not limited to non-Watson-Crick base-pairing, stacking interactions, hydrogen bonding, and contact interactions (Cheong et al., Nature 1990 Aug. 16; 346(6285):680-2; Heus and Pardi, Science 1991 Jul. 12; 253(5016):191-4). In some embodiments, a tetraloop comprises or consists of 3 to 6 nucleotides, and is typically 4 to 5 nucleotides. In certain embodiments, a tetraloop comprises or consists of three, four, five, or six nucleotides, which may or may not be modified (e.g., which may or may not be conjugated to a targeting moiety). In one embodiment, a tetraloop consists of four nucleotides. Any nucleotide may be used in the tetraloop and standard IUPAC-IUB symbols for such nucleotides may be used as described in Cornish-Bowden (1985) Nucl. Acids Res. 13: 3021-3030. For example, the letter “N” may be used to mean that any base may be in that position, the letter “R” may be used to show that A (adenine) or G (guanine) may be in that position, and “B” may be used to show that C (cytosine), G (guanine), or T (thymine) may be in that position. Examples of tetraloops include the UNCG family of tetraloops (e.g., UUCG), the GNRA family of tetraloops (e.g., GAAA), and the CUUG tetraloop (Woese et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1990 November; 87(21):8467-71; Antao et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 1991 Nov. 11; 19(21):5901-5). Examples of DNA tetraloops include the d(GNNA) family of tetraloops (e.g., d(GTTA)), the d(GNRA) family of tetraloops, the d(GNAB) family of tetraloops, the d(CNNG) family of tetraloops, and the d(TNCG) family of tetraloops (e.g., d(TTCG)). See, for example: Nakano et al. Biochemistry, 41 (48), 14281-14292, 2002. SHINJI et al. Nippon Kagakkai Koen Yokoshu VOL. 78th; NO. 2; PAGE. 731 (2000), which are incorporated by reference herein for their relevant disclosures. In some embodiments, the tetraloop is contained within a nicked tetraloop structure.
  • Treat: As used herein, the term “treat” refers to the act of providing care to a subject in need thereof, e.g., through the administration a therapeutic agent (e.g., an oligonucleotide) to the subject, for purposes of improving the health and/or well-being of the subject with respect to an existing condition (e.g., a disease, disorder) or to prevent or decrease the likelihood of the occurrence of a condition. In some embodiments, treatment involves reducing the frequency or severity of at least one sign, symptom or contributing factor of a condition (e.g., disease, disorder) experienced by a subject.
  • II. Oligonucleotide-Based Inhibitors
  • i. PCSK9 Targeting Oligonucleotides
  • Potent oligonucleotides have been identified herein through examination of the PCSK9 mRNA, including mRNAs of different species (human and Rhesus macaque, (see, e.g., Example 1)) and in vitro and in vivo testing. Such oligonucleotides can be used to achieve therapeutic benefit for subjects with a hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof by reducing PCSK9 activity, and consequently, by decreasing or preventing hypercholesterolemia (high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol), atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease), angina, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, heart palpitations, stroke (i.e., death of brain cells resulting from insufficient blood and oxygen flow to the brain), feelings of weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, dizziness, difficulty in walking or standing up straight, blurred vision, numbness of the face, arms, and legs, severe headaches, loss of consciousness, peripheral artery disease, and/or kidney problems (e.g., chronic kidney disease). For example, potent RNAi oligonucleotides are provided herein that have a sense strand comprising, or consisting of, a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO: 1-453, 907-1029, 1153-1192, 1248-1256, and 1266-1268 and an antisense strand comprising, or consisting of, a complementary sequence selected from SEQ ID NO: 454-906, 1030-1152, 1193-1232, 1257-1265, and 1269-1271, as is also arranged the table provided in Table 4 (e.g., a sense strand comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and an antisense strand comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 454). The sequences can be put into multiple different structures (or formats), as described herein.
  • In some embodiments, it has been discovered that certain regions of PCSK9 mRNA are hotspots for targeting because they are more amenable than other regions to oligonucleotide-based inhibition. In some embodiments, a hotspot region of PCSK9 consists of a sequence as forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1233-1244. These regions of PCSK9 mRNA may be targeted using oligonucleotides as discussed herein for purposes of inhibiting PCSK9 mRNA expression.
  • Accordingly, in some embodiments, oligonucleotides provided herein are designed so as to have regions of complementarity to PCSK9 mRNA (e.g., within a hotspot of PCSK9 mRNA) for purposes of targeting the mRNA in cells and inhibiting its expression. The region of complementarity is generally of a suitable length and base content to enable annealing of the oligonucleotide (or a strand thereof) to PCSK9 mRNA for purposes of inhibiting its expression.
  • In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide disclosed herein comprises a region of complementarity (e.g., on an antisense strand of a double-stranded oligonucleotide) that is at least partially complementary to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453 or 907-1029, which include certain sequences mapping to within hotspot regions of PCSK9 mRNA. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide disclosed herein comprises a region of complementarity (e.g., on an antisense strand of a double-stranded oligonucleotide) that is fully complementary to a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453 or 907-1029. In some embodiments, a region of complementarity of an oligonucleotide that is complementary to contiguous nucleotides of a sequence as set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453 or 907-1029 spans the entire length of an antisense strand. In some embodiments, a region of complementarity of an oligonucleotide that is complementary to contiguous nucleotides of a sequence as set forth in any one of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453 or 907-1029 spans a portion of the entire length of an antisense strand (e.g., all but two nucleotides at the 3′ end of the antisense strand). In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide disclosed herein comprises a region of complementarity (e.g., on an antisense strand of a double-stranded oligonucleotide) that is at least partially (e.g., fully) complementary to a contiguous stretch of nucleotides spanning nucleotides 1-19 of a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1153-1192.
  • In some embodiments, the region of complementarity is at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, at least 22, at least 23, at least 24, or at least 25 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide provided herein has a region of complementarity to PCSK9 mRNA that is in the range of 12 to 30 (e.g., 12 to 30, 12 to 22, 15 to 25, 17 to 21, 18 to 27, 19 to 27, or 15 to 30) nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide provided herein has a region of complementarity to PCSK9 mRNA that is 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 nucleotides in length.
  • In some embodiments, a region of complementarity to PCSK9 mRNA may have one or more mismatches compared with a corresponding sequence of PCSK9 mRNA. A region of complementarity on an oligonucleotide may have up to 1, up to 2, up to 3, up to 4, etc. mismatches provided that it maintains the ability to form complementary base pairs with PCSK9 mRNA under appropriate hybridization conditions. Alternatively, a region of complementarity on an oligonucleotide may have no more than 1, no more than 2, no more than 3, or no more than 4 mismatches provided that it maintains the ability to form complementary base pairs with PCSK9 mRNA under appropriate hybridization conditions. In some embodiments, if there are more than one mismatches in a region of complementarity, they may be positioned consecutively (e.g., 2, 3, 4, or more in a row), or interspersed throughout the region of complementarity provided that the oligonucleotide maintains the ability to form complementary base pairs with PCSK9 mRNA under appropriate hybridization conditions.
  • Still, in some embodiments, double-stranded oligonucleotides provided herein comprise, of consist of, a sense strand having a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-453, 907-1029, 1153-1192, 1248-1256, and 1266-1268 and an antisense strand comprising a complementary sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, 1193-1232, 1257-1265, and 1269-1271, as is arranged in the table provided in Table 4 (e.g., a sense strand comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 and an antisense strand comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 454).
  • ii. Oligonucleotide Structures
  • There are a variety of structures of oligonucleotides that are useful for targeting PCSK9 mRNA in the methods of the present disclosure, including RNAi, miRNA, etc. Any of the structures described herein or elsewhere may be used as a framework to incorporate or target a sequence described herein (e.g., a hotpot sequence of PCSK9 such as those illustrated in SEQ ID NOs: 1233-1244 or a sense or antisense strand that comprises or consists of a sequence as set forth as any of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 453, 907-1029, and 1153-1192 or as set forth as any of SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, and 1193-1232). Double-stranded oligonucleotides for targeting PCSK9 expression (e.g., via the RNAi pathway) generally have a sense strand and an antisense strand that form a duplex with one another. In some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands are not covalently linked. However, in some embodiments, the sense and antisense strands are covalently linked.
  • In some embodiments, double-stranded oligonucleotides for reducing PCSK9 expression engage RNA interference (RNAi). For example, RNAi oligonucleotides have been developed with each strand having sizes of 19-25 nucleotides with at least one 3′ overhang of 1 to 5 nucleotides (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,372,968). Longer oligonucleotides have also been developed that are processed by the Dicer enzyme to generate active RNAi products (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,883,996). Further work produced extended double-stranded oligonucleotides where at least one end of at least one strand is extended beyond a duplex targeting region, including structures where one of the strands includes a thermodynamically-stabilizing tetraloop structure (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,513,207 and 8,927,705, as well as WO2010033225, which are incorporated by reference herein for their disclosure of these oligonucleotides). Such structures may include single-stranded extensions (on one or both sides of the molecule) as well as double-stranded extensions.
  • In some embodiments, sequences described herein can be incorporated into, or targeted using, oligonucleotides that comprise separate sense and antisense strands that are both in the range of 17 to 40 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, oligonucleotides incorporating such sequences are provided that have a tetraloop structure within a 3′ extension of their sense strand, and two terminal overhang nucleotides at the 3′ end of the separate antisense strand. In some embodiments, the two terminal overhang nucleotides are GG. Typically, one or both of the two terminal GG nucleotides of the antisense strand is or are not complementary to the target.
  • In some embodiments, oligonucleotides incorporating such sequences are provided that have sense and antisense strands that are both in the range of 21 to 23 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, a 3′ overhang is provided on the sense, antisense, or both sense and antisense strands that is 1 or 2 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide has a guide strand of 23 nucleotides and a passenger strand of 21 nucleotides, in which the 3′-end of passenger strand and 5′-end of guide strand form a blunt end and where the guide strand has a two nucleotide 3′ overhang.
  • In some embodiments, oligonucleotides may be in the range of 21 to 23 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, oligonucleotides may have an overhang (e.g., of 1, 2, or 3 nucleotides in length) in the 3′ end of the sense and/or antisense strands. In some embodiments, oligonucleotides (e.g., siRNAs) may comprise a 21 nucleotide guide strand that is antisense to a target RNA and a complementary passenger strand, in which both strands anneal to form a 19-bp duplex and 2 nucleotide overhangs at either or both 3′ ends. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,012,138, 9,012,621, and 9,193,753, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein for their relevant disclosures.
  • In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide of the invention has a 36 nucleotide sense strand that comprises a region extending beyond the antisense-sense duplex, where the extension region has a stem-tetraloop structure where the stem is a six base pair duplex and where the tetraloop has four nucleotides. In certain of those embodiments, three or four of the tetraloop nucleotides are each conjugated to a monovalent GalNac ligand.
  • In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide of the invention comprises a 25 nucleotide sense strand and a 27 nucleotide antisense strand that when acted upon by a dicer enzyme results in an antisense strand that is incorporated into the mature RISC.
  • Other oligonucleotides designs for use with the compositions and methods disclosed herein include: 16-mer siRNAs (see, e.g., Nucleic Acids in Chemistry and Biology. Blackburn (ed.), Royal Society of Chemistry, 2006), shRNAs (e.g., having 19 bp or shorter stems; see, e.g., Moore et al. Methods Mol. Biol. 2010; 629:141-158), blunt siRNAs (e.g., of 19 bps in length; see: e.g., Kraynack and Baker, RNA Vol. 12, p 163-176 (2006)), asymmetrical siRNAs (aiRNA; see, e.g., Sun et al., Nat. Biotechnol. 26, 1379-1382 (2008)), asymmetric shorter-duplex siRNA (see, e.g., Chang et al., Mol Ther. 2009 April; 17(4): 725-32), fork siRNAs (see, e.g., Hohjoh, FEBS Letters, Vol 557, issues 1-3; January 2004, p 193-198), single-stranded siRNAs (Elsner; Nature Biotechnology 30, 1063 (2012)), dumbbell-shaped circular siRNAs (see, e.g., Abe et al. J Am Chem Soc 129: 15108-15109 (2007)), and small internally segmented interfering RNA (sisiRNA; see, e.g., Bramsen et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 2007 September; 35(17): 5886-5897). Each of the foregoing references is incorporated by reference in its entirety for the related disclosures therein. Further non-limiting examples of an oligonucleotide structures that may be used in some embodiments to reduce or inhibit the expression of PCSK9 are microRNA (miRNA), short hairpin RNA (shRNA), and short siRNA (see, e.g., Hamilton et al., Embo J., 2002, 21(17): 4671-4679; see also U.S. Application No. 20090099115).
  • a. Antisense Strands
  • In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide disclosed herein for targeting PCSK9 comprises an antisense strand comprising or consisting of a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, or 1193-1232. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide comprises an antisense strand comprising or consisting of at least 12 (e.g., at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, at least 22, or at least 23) contiguous nucleotides of a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 454-906, 1030-1152, or 1193-1232.
  • In some embodiments, a double-stranded oligonucleotide may have an antisense strand of up to 40 nucleotides in length (e.g., up to 40, up to 35, up to 30, up to 27, up to 25, up to 21, up to 19, up to 17, or up to 12 nucleotides in length). In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide may have an antisense strand of at least 12 nucleotides in length (e.g., at least 12, at least 15, at least 19, at least 21, at least 22, at least 25, at least 27, at least 30, at least 35, or at least 38 nucleotides in length). In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide may have an antisense strand in a range of 12 to 40 (e.g., 12 to 40, 12 to 36, 12 to 32, 12 to 28, 15 to 40, 15 to 36, 15 to 32, 15 to 28, 17 to 22, 17 to 25, 19 to 27, 19 to 30, 20 to 40, 22 to 40, 25 to 40, or 32 to 40) nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide may have an antisense strand of 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, or 40 nucleotides in length.
  • In some embodiments, an antisense strand of an oligonucleotide may be referred to as a “guide strand.” For example, if an antisense strand can engage with RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) and bind to an Argonaut protein, or engage with or bind to one or more similar factors, and direct silencing of a target gene, it may be referred to as a guide strand. In some embodiments, a sense strand complementary to a guide strand may be referred to as a “passenger strand.”
  • b. Sense Strands
  • In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide disclosed herein for targeting PCSK9 comprises or consists of a sense strand sequence as set forth in in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 453, 907-1029, and 1153-1192. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide has a sense strand that comprises or consists of at least 12 (e.g., at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, at least 21, at least 22, or at least 23) contiguous nucleotides of a sequence as set forth in in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 453, 907-1029, and 1153-1192.
  • In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide may have a sense strand (or passenger strand) of up to 40 nucleotides in length (e.g., up to 40, up to 36, up to 30, up to 27, up to 25, up to 21, up to 19, up to 17, or up to 12 nucleotides in length). In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide may have a sense strand of at least 12 nucleotides in length (e.g., at least 12, at least 15, at least 19, at least 21, at least 25, at least 27, at least 30, at least 36, or at least 38 nucleotides in length). In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide may have a sense strand in a range of 12 to 40 (e.g., 12 to 40, 12 to 36, 12 to 32, 12 to 28, 15 to 40, 15 to 36, 15 to 32, 15 to 28, 17 to 21, 17 to 25, 19 to 27, 19 to 30, 20 to 40, 22 to 40, 25 to 40, or 32 to 40) nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide may have a sense strand of 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, or 40 nucleotides in length.
  • In some embodiments, a sense strand comprises a stem-loop structure at its 3′-end. In some embodiments, a sense strand comprises a stem-loop structure at its 5′-end. In some embodiments, a stem is a duplex of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14 base pairs in length. In some embodiments, a stem-loop provides the molecule better protection against degradation (e.g., enzymatic degradation) and facilitates targeting characteristics for delivery to a target cell. For example, in some embodiments, a loop provides added nucleotides on which modification can be made without substantially affecting the gene expression inhibition activity of an oligonucleotide. In certain embodiments, an oligonucleotide is provided herein in which the sense strand comprises (e.g., at its 3′-end) a stem-loop set forth as: S1-L-S2, in which S1 is complementary to S2, and in which L forms a loop between S1 and S2 of up to 10 nucleotides in length (e.g., 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 nucleotides in length). FIG. 3 depicts a non-limiting example of such an oligonucleotide.
  • In some embodiments, a loop (L) of a stem-loop is a tetraloop (e.g., within a nicked tetraloop structure). A tetraloop may contain ribonucleotides, deoxyribonucleotides, modified nucleotides, and combinations thereof. Typically, a tetraloop has 4 to 5 nucleotides.
  • c. Duplex Length
  • In some embodiments, a duplex formed between a sense and antisense strand is at least 12 (e.g., at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19, at least 20, or at least 21) nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, a duplex formed between a sense and antisense strand is in the range of 12-30 nucleotides in length (e.g., 12 to 30, 12 to 27, 12 to 22, 15 to 25, 18 to 30, 18 to 22, 18 to 25, 18 to 27, 18 to 30, 19 to 30, or 21 to 30 nucleotides in length). In some embodiments, a duplex formed between a sense and antisense strand is 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, or 30 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments a duplex formed between a sense and antisense strand does not span the entire length of the sense strand and/or antisense strand. In some embodiments, a duplex between a sense and antisense strand spans the entire length of either the sense or antisense strands. In certain embodiments, a duplex between a sense and antisense strand spans the entire length of both the sense strand and the antisense strand.
  • d. Oligonucleotide Ends
  • In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide provided herein comprises sense and antisense strands, such that there is a 3′-overhang on either the sense strand or the antisense strand, or both the sense and antisense strand. In some embodiments, oligonucleotides provided herein have one 5′ end that is thermodynamically less stable compared to the other 5′ end. In some embodiments, an asymmetric oligonucleotide is provided that includes a blunt end at the 3′ end of a sense strand and an overhang at the 3′ end of an antisense strand. In some embodiments, a 3′ overhang on an antisense strand is 1-8 nucleotides in length (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 nucleotides in length).
  • Typically, an oligonucleotide for RNAi has a two nucleotide overhang on the 3′ end of the antisense (guide) strand. However, other overhangs are possible. In some embodiments, an overhang is a 3′ overhang comprising a length of between one and six nucleotides, optionally one to five, one to four, one to three, one to two, two to six, two to five, two to four, two to three, three to six, three to five, three to four, four to six, four to five, five to six nucleotides, or one, two, three, four, five or six nucleotides. However, in some embodiments, the overhang is a 5′ overhang comprising a length of between one and six nucleotides, optionally one to five, one to four, one to three, one to two, two to six, two to five, two to four, two to three, three to six, three to five, three to four, four to six, four to five, five to six nucleotides, or one, two, three, four, five or six nucleotides.
  • In some embodiments, one or more (e.g., 2, 3, 4) terminal nucleotides of the 3′ end or 5′ end of a sense and/or antisense strand are modified. For example, in some embodiments, one or two terminal nucleotides of the 3′ end of an antisense strand are modified. In some embodiments, the last nucleotide at the 3′ end of an antisense strand is modified, e.g., comprises 2′-modification, e.g., a 2′-O-methoxyethyl. In some embodiments, the last one or two terminal nucleotides at the 3′ end of an antisense strand are complementary to the target. In some embodiments, the last one or two nucleotides at the 3′ end of the antisense strand are not complementary to the target. In some embodiments, the 5′ end and/or the 3′ end of a sense or antisense strand has an inverted cap nucleotide.
  • e. Mismatches
  • In some embodiments, there is one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or 4) mismatches between a sense and antisense strand. If there is more than one mismatch between a sense and antisense strand, they may be positioned consecutively (e.g., 2, 3 or more in a row), or interspersed throughout the region of complementarity. In some embodiments, the 3′-terminus of the sense strand contains one or more mismatches. In one embodiment, two mismatches are incorporated at the 3′ terminus of the sense strand. In some embodiments, base mismatches or destabilization of segments at the 3′-end of the sense strand of the oligonucleotide improved the potency of synthetic duplexes in RNAi, possibly through facilitating processing by Dicer.
  • iii. Single-Stranded Oligonucleotides
  • In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide for reducing PCSK9 expression as described herein is single-stranded. Such structures may include, but are not limited to single-stranded RNAi oligonucleotides. Recent efforts have demonstrated the activity of single-stranded RNAi oligonucleotides (see, e.g., Matsui et al. (May 2016), Molecular Therapy, Vol. 24(5), 946-955). However, in some embodiments, oligonucleotides provided herein are antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). An antisense oligonucleotide is a single-stranded oligonucleotide that has a nucleobase sequence which, when written in the 5′ to 3′ direction, comprises the reverse complement of a targeted segment of a particular nucleic acid and is suitably modified (e.g., as a gapmer) so as to induce RNaseH mediated cleavage of its target RNA in cells or (e.g., as a mixmer) so as to inhibit translation of the target mRNA in cells. Antisense oligonucleotides for use in the instant disclosure may be modified in any suitable manner known in the art including, for example, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 9,567,587, which is incorporated by reference herein for its disclosure regarding modification of antisense oligonucleotides (including, e.g., length, sugar moieties of the nucleobase (pyrimidine, purine), and alterations of the heterocyclic portion of the nucleobase). Further, antisense molecules have been used for decades to reduce expression of specific target genes (see, e.g., Bennett et al.; Pharmacology of Antisense Drugs, Annual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Vol. 57: 81-105).
  • iv. Oligonucleotide Modifications
  • Oligonucleotides may be modified in various ways to improve or control specificity, stability, delivery, bioavailability, resistance from nuclease degradation, immunogenicity, base-paring properties, RNA distribution and cellular uptake and other features relevant to therapeutic or research use. See, e.g., Bramsen et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 2009, 37, 2867-2881; Bramsen and Kjems (Frontiers in Genetics, 3 (2012): 1-22). Accordingly, in some embodiments, oligonucleotides of the present disclosure may include one or more suitable modifications. In some embodiments, a modified nucleotide has a modification in its base (or nucleobase), the sugar (e.g., ribose, deoxyribose), or the phosphate group.
  • The number of modifications on an oligonucleotide and the positions of those nucleotide modifications may influence the properties of an oligonucleotide. For example, oligonucleotides may be delivered in vivo by conjugating them to or encompassing them in a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) or similar carrier. However, when an oligonucleotide is not protected by an LNP or similar carrier (e.g., “naked delivery”), it may be advantageous for at least some of its nucleotides to be modified. Accordingly, in certain embodiments of any of the oligonucleotides provided herein, all or substantially all of the nucleotides of an oligonucleotide are modified. In certain embodiments, more than half of the nucleotides are modified. In certain embodiments, less than half of the nucleotides are modified. Typically, with naked delivery, every nucleotide is modified at the 2′-position of the sugar group of that nucleotide. These modifications may be reversible or irreversible. Typically, the 2′ position modification is a 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-methyl, etc. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide as disclosed herein has a number and type of modified nucleotides sufficient to cause the desired characteristic (e.g., protection from enzymatic degradation, capacity to target a desired cell after in vivo administration, and/or thermodynamic stability).
  • a. Sugar Modifications
  • In some embodiments, a modified sugar (also referred to herein as a sugar analog) includes a modified deoxyribose or ribose moiety, e.g., in which one or more modifications occur at the 2′, 3′, 4′, and/or 5′ carbon position of the sugar. In some embodiments, a modified sugar may also include non-natural alternative carbon structures such as those present in locked nucleic acids (“LNA”) (see, e.g., Koshkin et al. (1998), Tetrahedron 54, 3607-3630), unlocked nucleic acids (“UNA”) (see, e.g., Snead et al. (2013), Molecular Therapy—Nucleic Acids, 2, e103), and bridged nucleic acids (“BNA”) (see, e.g., Imanishi and Obika (2002), The Royal Society of Chemistry, Chem. Commun., 1653-1659). Koshkin et al., Snead et al., and Imanishi and Obika are incorporated by reference herein for their disclosures relating to sugar modifications.
  • In some embodiments, a nucleotide modification in a sugar comprises a 2′-modification. In some embodiments, the 2′-modification may be 2′-aminoethyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-methyl, 2′-O-methoxyethyl, or 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-β-d-arabinonucleic acid. Typically, the modification is 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-methyl, or 2′-O-methoxyethyl. However, a large variety of 2′ position modifications that have been developed for use in oligonucleotides can be employed in oligonucleotides disclosed herein. See, e.g., Bramsen et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 2009, 37, 2867-2881. In some embodiments, a modification in a sugar comprises a modification of the sugar ring, which may comprise modification of one or more carbons of the sugar ring. For example, a modification of a sugar of a nucleotide may comprise a linkage between the 2′-carbon and a 1′-carbon or 4′-carbon of the sugar. For example, the linkage may comprise an ethylene or methylene bridge. In some embodiments, a modified nucleotide has an acyclic sugar that lacks a 2′-carbon to 3′-carbon bond. In some embodiments, a modified nucleotide has a thiol group, e.g., in the 4′ position of the sugar.
  • In some embodiments, the terminal 3′-end group (e.g., a 3′-hydroxyl) is a phosphate group or other group, which can be used, for example, to attach linkers, adapters or labels or for the direct ligation of an oligonucleotide to another nucleic acid.
  • b. 5′ Terminal Phosphates
  • 5′-terminal phosphate groups of oligonucleotides may or in some circumstances enhance the interaction with Argonaut 2. However, oligonucleotides comprising a 5′-phosphate group may be susceptible to degradation via phosphatases or other enzymes, which can limit their bioavailability in vivo. In some embodiments, oligonucleotides include analogs of 5′ phosphates that are resistant to such degradation. In some embodiments, a phosphate analog may be oxymethylphosphonate, vinylphosphonate, or malonylphosphonate. In certain embodiments, the 5′ end of an oligonucleotide strand is attached to a chemical moiety that mimics the electrostatic and steric properties of a natural 5′-phosphate group (“phosphate mimic”) (see, e.g., Prakash et al. (2015), Nucleic Acids Res., Nucleic Acids Res. 2015 Mar. 31; 43(6): 2993-3011, the contents of which relating to phosphate analogs are incorporated herein by reference). Many phosphate mimics have been developed that can be attached to the 5′ end (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 8,927,513, the contents of which relating to phosphate analogs are incorporated herein by reference). Other modifications have been developed for the 5′ end of oligonucleotides (see, e.g., WO 2011/133871, the contents of which relating to phosphate analogs are incorporated herein by reference). In certain embodiments, a hydroxyl group is attached to the 5′ end of the oligonucleotide.
  • In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide has a phosphate analog at a 4′-carbon position of the sugar (referred to as a “4′-phosphate analog”). See, for example, International Patent Application PCT/US2017/049909, filed on Sep. 1, 2017, U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 62/383,207, entitled 4′ Phosphate Analogs and Oligonucleotides Comprising the Same, filed on Sep. 2, 2016, and 62/393,401, filed on Sep. 12, 2016, entitled 4′-Phosphate Analogs and Oligonucleotides Comprising the Same, the contents of each of which relating to phosphate analogs are incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide provided herein comprises a 4′-phosphate analog at a 5′-terminal nucleotide. In some embodiments, a phosphate analog is an oxymethylphosphonate, in which the oxygen atom of the oxymethyl group is bound to the sugar moiety (e.g., at its 4′-carbon) or analog thereof. In other embodiments, a 4′-phosphate analog is a thiomethylphosphonate or an aminomethylphosphonate, in which the sulfur atom of the thiomethyl group or the nitrogen atom of the aminomethyl group is bound to the 4′-carbon of the sugar moiety or analog thereof. In certain embodiments, a 4′-phosphate analog is an oxymethylphosphonate. In some embodiments, an oxymethylphosphonate is represented by the formula —O—CH2—PO(OH)2 or —O—CH2—PO(OR)2, in which R is independently selected from H, CH3, an alkyl group, CH2CH2CN, CH2OCOC(CH3)3, CH2OCH2CH2Si(CH3)3, or a protecting group. In certain embodiments, the alkyl group is CH2CH3. More typically, R is independently selected from H, CH3, or CH2CH3.
  • c. Modified Internucleoside Linkages
  • In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide may comprise a modified internucleoside linkage. In some embodiments, phosphate modifications or substitutions may result in an oligonucleotide that comprises at least one (e.g., at least 1, at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, or at least 5) modified internucleotide linkage. In some embodiments, any one of the oligonucleotides disclosed herein comprises 1 to 10 (e.g., 1 to 10, 2 to 8, 4 to 6, 3 to 10, 5 to 10, 1 to 5, 1 to 3 or 1 to 2) modified internucleotide linkages. In some embodiments, any one of the oligonucleotides disclosed herein comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 modified internucleotide linkages.
  • A modified internucleotide linkage may be a phosphorodithioate linkage, a phosphorothioate linkage, a phosphotriester linkage, a thionoalkylphosphonate linkage, a thionoalkylphosphotriester linkage, a phosphoramidite linkage, a phosphonate linkage or a boranophosphate linkage. In some embodiments, at least one modified internucleotide linkage of any one of the oligonucleotides as disclosed herein is a phosphorothioate linkage
  • d. Base Modifications
  • In some embodiments, oligonucleotides provided herein have one or more modified nucleobases. In some embodiments, modified nucleobases (also referred to herein as base analogs) are linked at the 1′ position of a nucleotide sugar moiety. In certain embodiments, a modified nucleobase is a nitrogenous base. In certain embodiments, a modified nucleobase does not contain a nitrogen atom. See e.g., U.S. Published Patent Application No. 20080274462. In some embodiments, a modified nucleotide comprises a universal base. However, in certain embodiments, a modified nucleotide does not contain a nucleobase (abasic).
  • In some embodiments, a universal base is a heterocyclic moiety located at the 1′ position of a nucleotide sugar moiety in a modified nucleotide, or the equivalent position in a nucleotide sugar moiety substitution that, when present in a duplex, can be positioned opposite more than one type of base without substantially altering the structure of the duplex. In some embodiments, compared to a reference single-stranded nucleic acid (e.g., oligonucleotide) that is fully complementary to a target nucleic acid, a single-stranded nucleic acid containing a universal base forms a duplex with the target nucleic acid that has a lower Tm than a duplex formed with the complementary nucleic acid. However, in some embodiments, compared to a reference single-stranded nucleic acid in which the universal base has been replaced with a base to generate a single mismatch, the single-stranded nucleic acid containing the universal base forms a duplex with the target nucleic acid that has a higher Tm than a duplex formed with the nucleic acid comprising the mismatched base.
  • Non-limiting examples of universal-binding nucleotides include inosine, ribofuranosyl-5-nitroindole, and/or 1-β-D-ribofuranosyl-3-nitropyrrole (US Pat. Appl. Publ. No. 20070254362 to Quay et al.; Van Aerschot et al., An acyclic 5-nitroindazole nucleoside analogue as ambiguous nucleoside. Nucleic Acids Res. 1995 Nov. 11; 23(21):4363-70; Loakes et al., 3-Nitropyrrole and 5-nitroindole as universal bases in primers for DNA sequencing and PCR. Nucleic Acids Res. 1995 Jul. 11; 23(13):2361-6; Loakes and Brown, 5-Nitroindole as an universal base analogue. Nucleic Acids Res. 1994 Oct. 11; 22(20):4039-43. Each of the foregoing is incorporated by reference herein for their disclosures relating to base modifications).
  • e. Reversible Modifications
  • While certain modifications to protect an oligonucleotide from the in vivo environment before reaching target cells can be made, they can reduce the potency or activity of the oligonucleotide once it reaches the cytosol of the target cell. Reversible modifications can be made such that the molecule retains desirable properties outside of the cell, which are then removed upon entering the cytosolic environment of the cell. Reversible modification can be removed, for example, by the action of an intracellular enzyme or by the chemical conditions inside of a cell (e.g., through reduction by intracellular glutathione).
  • In some embodiments, a reversibly modified nucleotide comprises a glutathione-sensitive moiety. Typically, nucleic acid molecules have been chemically modified with cyclic disulfide moieties to mask the negative charge created by the internucleotide diphosphate linkages and improve cellular uptake and nuclease resistance. See U.S. Published Application No. 2011/0294869 originally assigned to Traversa Therapeutics, Inc. (“Traversa”), PCT Publication No. WO 2015/188197 to Solstice Biologics, Ltd. (“Solstice”), Meade et al., Nature Biotechnology, 2014, 32:1256-1263 (“Meade”), PCT Publication No. WO 2014/088920 to Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp, each of which are incorporated by reference for their disclosures of such modifications. This reversible modification of the internucleotide diphosphate linkages is designed to be cleaved intracellularly by the reducing environment of the cytosol (e.g. glutathione). Earlier examples include neutralizing phosphotriester modifications that were reported to be cleavable inside cells (Dellinger et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125:940-950).
  • In some embodiments, such a reversible modification allows protection during in vivo administration (e.g., transit through the blood and/or lysosomal/endosomal compartments of a cell) where the oligonucleotide will be exposed to nucleases and other harsh environmental conditions (e.g., pH). When released into the cytosol of a cell where the levels of glutathione are higher compared to extracellular space, the modification is reversed and the result is a cleaved oligonucleotide. Using reversible, glutathione sensitive moieties, it is possible to introduce sterically larger chemical groups into the oligonucleotide of interest as compared to the options available using irreversible chemical modifications. This is because these larger chemical groups will be removed in the cytosol and, therefore, should not interfere with the biological activity of the oligonucleotides inside the cytosol of a cell. As a result, these larger chemical groups can be engineered to confer various advantages to the nucleotide or oligonucleotide, such as nuclease resistance, lipophilicity, charge, thermal stability, specificity, and reduced immunogenicity. In some embodiments, the structure of the glutathione-sensitive moiety can be engineered to modify the kinetics of its release.
  • In some embodiments, a glutathione-sensitive moiety is attached to the sugar of the nucleotide. In some embodiments, a glutathione-sensitive moiety is attached to the 2′-carbon of the sugar of a modified nucleotide. In some embodiments, the glutathione-sensitive moiety is located at the 5′-carbon of a sugar, particularly when the modified nucleotide is the 5′-terminal nucleotide of the oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the glutathione-sensitive moiety is located at the 3′-carbon of a sugar, particularly when the modified nucleotide is the 3′-terminal nucleotide of the oligonucleotide. In some embodiments, the glutathione-sensitive moiety comprises a sulfonyl group. See, e.g., International Patent Application PCT/US2017/048239, which published on Mar. 1, 2018 as International Patent Publication WO2018/039364, entitled Compositions Comprising Reversibly Modified Oligonucleotides and Uses Thereof, which was filed on Aug. 23, 2016, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein for its relevant disclosures.
  • v. Targeting Ligands
  • In some embodiments, it may be desirable to target the oligonucleotides of the disclosure to one or more cells or one or more organs. Such a strategy may help to avoid undesirable effects in other organs, or may avoid undue loss of the oligonucleotide to cells, tissue or organs that would not benefit for the oligonucleotide. Accordingly, in some embodiments, oligonucleotides disclosed herein may be modified to facilitate targeting of a particular tissue, cell or organ, e.g., to facilitate delivery of the oligonucleotide to the liver. In certain embodiments, oligonucleotides disclosed herein may be modified to facilitate delivery of the oligonucleotide to the hepatocytes of the liver. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide comprises a nucleotide that is conjugated to one or more targeting ligands.
  • A targeting ligand may comprise a carbohydrate, amino sugar, cholesterol, peptide, polypeptide, protein or part of a protein (e.g., an antibody or antibody fragment) or lipid. In some embodiments, a targeting ligand is an aptamer. For example, a targeting ligand may be an RGD peptide that is used to target tumor vasculature or glioma cells, CREKA peptide to target tumor vasculature or stoma, transferrin, lactoferrin, or an aptamer to target transferrin receptors expressed on CNS vasculature, or an anti-EGFR antibody to target EGFR on glioma cells. In certain embodiments, the targeting ligand is one or more GalNAc moieties.
  • In some embodiments, 1 or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6) nucleotides of an oligonucleotide are each conjugated to a separate targeting ligand. In some embodiments, 2 to 4 nucleotides of an oligonucleotide are each conjugated to a separate targeting ligand. In some embodiments, targeting ligands are conjugated to 2 to 4 nucleotides at either ends of the sense or antisense strand (e.g., ligands are conjugated to a 2 to 4 nucleotide overhang or extension on the 5′ or 3′ end of the sense or antisense strand) such that the targeting ligands resemble bristles of a toothbrush and the oligonucleotide resembles a toothbrush. For example, an oligonucleotide may comprise a stem-loop at either the 5′ or 3′ end of the sense strand and 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides of the loop of the stem may be individually conjugated to a targeting ligand, as described, for example, in International Patent Application Publication WO 2016/100401, which was published on Jun. 23, 2016, the relevant contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
  • In some embodiments, it is desirable to target an oligonucleotide that reduces the expression of PCSK9 to the hepatocytes of the liver of a subject. Any suitable hepatocyte targeting moiety may be used for this purpose.
  • GalNAc is a high affinity ligand for asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR), which is primarily expressed on the sinusoidal surface of hepatocyte cells and has a major role in binding, internalization, and subsequent clearance of circulating glycoproteins that contain terminal galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine residues (asialoglycoproteins). Conjugation (either indirect or direct) of GalNAc moieties to oligonucleotides of the instant disclosure may be used to target these oligonucleotides to the ASGPR expressed on these hepatocyte cells.
  • In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide of the instant disclosure is conjugated directly or indirectly to a monovalent GalNAc. In some embodiments, the oligonucleotide is conjugated directly or indirectly to more than one monovalent GalNAc (i.e., is conjugated to 2, 3, or 4 monovalent GalNAc moieties, and is typically conjugated to 3 or 4 monovalent GalNAc moieties). In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide of the instant disclosure is conjugated to one or more bivalent GalNAc, trivalent GalNAc, or tetravalent GalNAc moieties.
  • In some embodiments, 1 or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6) nucleotides of an oligonucleotide are each conjugated to a GalNAc moiety. In some embodiments, 2 to 4 nucleotides of the loop (L) of the stem-loop are each conjugated to a separate GalNAc. In some embodiments, targeting ligands are conjugated to 2 to 4 nucleotides at either ends of the sense or antisense strand (e.g., ligands are conjugated to a 2 to 4 nucleotide overhang or extension on the 5′ or 3′ end of the sense or antisense strand) such that the GalNAc moieties resemble bristles of a toothbrush and the oligonucleotide resembles a toothbrush. For example, an oligonucleotide may comprise a stem-loop at either the 5′ or 3′ end of the sense strand and 1, 2, 3, or 4 nucleotides of the loop of the stem may be individually conjugated to a GalNAc moiety. In some embodiments, GalNAc moieties are conjugated to a nucleotide of the sense strand. For example, four GalNAc moieties can be conjugated to nucleotides in the tetraloop of the sense strand, where each GalNAc moiety is conjugated to one nucleotide.
  • Appropriate methods or chemistry (e.g., click chemistry) can be used to link a targeting ligand to a nucleotide. In some embodiments, a targeting ligand is conjugated to a nucleotide using a click linker. In some embodiments, an acetal-based linker is used to conjugate a targeting ligand to a nucleotide of any one of the oligonucleotides described herein. Acetal-based linkers are disclosed, for example, in International Patent Application Publication Number WO2016100401 A1, which published on Jun. 23, 2016, and the contents of which relating to such linkers are incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the linker is a labile linker. However, in other embodiments, the linker is fairly stable. In some embodiments, a duplex extension (up to 3, 4, 5, or 6 base pairs in length) is provided between a targeting ligand (e.g., a GalNAc moiety) and a double-stranded oligonucleotide.
  • III. Formulations
  • Various formulations have been developed to facilitate oligonucleotide use. For example, oligonucleotides can be delivered to a subject or a cellular environment using a formulation that minimizes degradation, facilitates delivery and/or uptake, or provides another beneficial property to the oligonucleotides in the formulation. In some embodiments, provided herein are compositions comprising oligonucleotides (e.g., single-stranded or double-stranded oligonucleotides) to reduce the expression of PCSK9. Such compositions can be suitably formulated such that when administered to a subject, either into the immediate environment of a target cell or systemically, a sufficient portion of the oligonucleotides enters the cell to reduce PCSK9 expression. Any of a variety of suitable oligonucleotide formulations can be used to deliver oligonucleotides for the reduction of PCSK9 as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide is formulated in buffer solutions such as phosphate-buffered saline solutions, liposomes, micellar structures, and capsids. In some embodiments, naked oligonucleotides or conjugates thereof are formulated in water or in an aqueous solution (e.g., water with pH adjustments). In some embodiments, naked oligonucleotides or conjugates thereof are formulated in basic buffered aqueous solutions (e.g., PBS)
  • Formulations of oligonucleotides with cationic lipids can be used to facilitate transfection of the oligonucleotides into cells. For example, cationic lipids, such as lipofectin, cationic glycerol derivatives, and polycationic molecules (e.g., polylysine) can be used. Suitable lipids include Oligofectamine, Lipofectamine (Life Technologies), NC388 (Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boulder, Colo.), or FuGene 6 (Roche) all of which can be used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Accordingly, in some embodiments, a formulation comprises a lipid nanoparticle. In some embodiments, an excipient comprises a liposome, a lipid, a lipid complex, a microsphere, a microparticle, a nanosphere, or a nanoparticle, or may be otherwise formulated for administration to the cells, tissues, organs, or body of a subject in need thereof (see, e.g., Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 22nd edition, Pharmaceutical Press, 2013).
  • In some embodiments, formulations as disclosed herein comprise an excipient. In some embodiments, an excipient confers to a composition improved stability, improved absorption, improved solubility and/or therapeutic enhancement of the active ingredient. In some embodiments, an excipient is a buffering agent (e.g., sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, a tris base, or sodium hydroxide) or a vehicle (e.g., a buffered solution, petrolatum, dimethyl sulfoxide, or mineral oil). In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide is lyophilized for extending its shelf-life and then made into a solution before use (e.g., administration to a subject). Accordingly, an excipient in a composition comprising any one of the oligonucleotides described herein may be a lyoprotectant (e.g., mannitol, lactose, polyethylene glycol, or polyvinyl pyrolidone), or a collapse temperature modifier (e.g., dextran, ficoll, or gelatin).
  • In some embodiments, a pharmaceutical composition is formulated to be compatible with its intended route of administration. Examples of routes of administration include parenteral, e.g., intravenous, intradermal, subcutaneous, oral (e.g., inhalation), transdermal (topical), transmucosal, and rectal administration. Typically, the route of administration is intravenous or subcutaneous.
  • Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions (where water soluble) or dispersions and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. For intravenous or subcutaneous administration, suitable carriers include physiological saline, bacteriostatic water, Cremophor EL™. (BASF, Parsippany, N.J.) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), and suitable mixtures thereof. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, polyalcohols such as mannitol, sorbitol, and sodium chloride in the composition. Sterile injectable solutions can be prepared by incorporating the oligonucleotides in a required amount in a selected solvent with one or a combination of ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filtered sterilization.
  • In some embodiments, a composition may contain at least about 0.1% of the therapeutic agent (e.g., an oligonucleotide for reducing PCSK9 expression) or more, although the percentage of the active ingredient(s) may be between about 1% and about 80% or more of the weight or volume of the total composition. Factors such as solubility, bioavailability, biological half-life, route of administration, product shelf life, as well as other pharmacological considerations will be contemplated by one skilled in the art of preparing such pharmaceutical formulations, and as such, a variety of dosages and treatment regimens may be desirable.
  • Even though a number of embodiments are directed to liver-targeted delivery of any of the oligonucleotides disclosed herein, targeting of other tissues is also contemplated.
  • IV. Methods of Use
  • i. Reducing PCSK9 Expression in Cells
  • In some embodiments, methods are provided for delivering to a cell an effective amount any one of oligonucleotides disclosed herein for purposes of reducing expression of PCSK9 in the cell. Methods provided herein are useful in any appropriate cell type. In some embodiments, a cell is any cell that expresses PCSK9 (e.g., liver, lung, kidney, spleen, testis, adipose, and intestinal cells). In some embodiments, the cell is a primary cell that has been obtained from a subject and that may have undergone a limited number of a passages, such that the cell substantially maintains its natural phenotypic properties. In some embodiments, a cell to which the oligonucleotide is delivered is ex vivo or in vitro (i.e., can be delivered to a cell in culture or to an organism in which the cell resides). In specific embodiments, methods are provided for delivering to a cell an effective amount any one of the oligonucleotides disclosed herein for purposes of reducing expression of PCSK9 solely or primarily in hepatocytes.
  • In some embodiments, oligonucleotides disclosed herein can be introduced using appropriate nucleic acid delivery methods including injection of a solution containing the oligonucleotides, bombardment by particles covered by the oligonucleotides, exposing the cell or organism to a solution containing the oligonucleotides, or electroporation of cell membranes in the presence of the oligonucleotides. Other appropriate methods for delivering oligonucleotides to cells may be used, such as lipid-mediated carrier transport, chemical-mediated transport, and cationic liposome transfection such as calcium phosphate, and others.
  • The consequences of inhibition can be confirmed by an appropriate assay to evaluate one or more properties of a cell or subject, or by biochemical techniques that evaluate molecules indicative of PCSK9 expression (e.g., RNA, protein). In some embodiments, the extent to which an oligonucleotide provided herein reduces levels of expression of PCSK9 is evaluated by comparing expression levels (e.g., mRNA or protein levels of PCSK9 to an appropriate control (e.g., a level of PCSK9 expression in a cell or population of cells to which an oligonucleotide has not been delivered or to which a negative control has been delivered). In some embodiments, an appropriate control level of PCSK9 expression may be a predetermined level or value, such that a control level need not be measured every time. The predetermined level or value can take a variety of forms. In some embodiments, a predetermined level or value can be single cut-off value, such as a median or mean.
  • In some embodiments, administration of an oligonucleotide as described herein results in a reduction in the level of PCSK9 expression in a cell. In some embodiments, the reduction in levels of PCSK9 expression may be a reduction to 1% or lower, 5% or lower, 10% or lower, 15% or lower, 20% or lower, 25% or lower, 30% or lower, 35% or lower, 40% or lower, 45% or lower, 50% or lower, 55% or lower, 60% or lower, 70% or lower, 80% or lower, or 90% or lower compared with an appropriate control level of PCSK9. The appropriate control level may be a level of PCSK9 expression in a cell or population of cells that has not been contacted with an oligonucleotide as described herein. In some embodiments, the effect of delivery of an oligonucleotide to a cell according to a method disclosed herein is assessed after a finite period of time. For example, levels of PCSK9 may be analyzed in a cell at least 8 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, 24 hours; or at least one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, or fourteen days after introduction of the oligonucleotide into the cell.
  • In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide is delivered in the form of a transgene that is engineered to express in a cell the oligonucleotides disclosed herein (e.g., in the form of an shRNA). In some embodiments, an oligonucleotide is delivered using a transgene that is engineered to express any oligonucleotide disclosed herein. Transgenes may be delivered using viral vectors (e.g., adenovirus, retrovirus, vaccinia virus, poxvirus, adeno-associated virus or herpes simplex virus) or non-viral vectors (e.g., plasmids or synthetic mRNAs). In some embodiments, transgenes can be injected directly to a subject.
  • ii. Treatment Methods
  • Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods for reducing PCSK9 expression for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof in a subject. In some embodiments, the methods may comprise administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of any one of the oligonucleotides disclosed herein. In some embodiments, such treatments may be used, for example, to decrease or prevent hypercholesterolemia (high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol), atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease), angina, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, heart palpitations, stroke (i.e., death of brain cells resulting from insufficient blood and oxygen flow to the brain), feelings of weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, dizziness, difficulty in walking or standing up straight, blurred vision, numbness of the face, arms, and legs, severe headaches, loss of consciousness, peripheral artery disease, and/or kidney problems (e.g., chronic kidney disease). In some embodiments, such treatments may be used, for example, to treat or prevent one or more symptoms associated with hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof.
  • Accordingly, in some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of treating a subject at risk of (or susceptible to) hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, and/or one or more symptoms or complications thereof including coronary heart disease (e.g., coronary artery disease), angina, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, heart palpitations, stroke (i.e., death of brain cells resulting from insufficient blood and oxygen flow to the brain), feelings of weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, dizziness, difficulty in walking or standing up straight, blurred vision, numbness of the face, arms, and legs, severe headaches, loss of consciousness, peripheral artery disease, and/or kidney problems (e.g., chronic kidney disease).
  • In certain aspects, the disclosure provides a method for preventing in a subject, a disease, disorder, symptom, or condition as described herein by administering to the subject a therapeutic agent (e.g., an oligonucleotide or vector or transgene encoding same). In some embodiments, the subject to be treated is a subject who will benefit therapeutically from a reduction in the amount of PCSK9 protein, e.g., in the liver.
  • Methods described herein typically involve administering to a subject an effective amount of an oligonucleotide, that is, an amount capable of producing a desirable therapeutic result. A therapeutically acceptable amount may be an amount that is capable of treating a disease or disorder. The appropriate dosage for any one subject will depend on certain factors, including the subject's size, body surface area, age, the particular composition to be administered, the active ingredient(s) in the composition, time and route of administration, general health, and other drugs being administered concurrently.
  • In some embodiments, a subject is administered any one of the compositions disclosed herein either enterally (e.g., orally, by gastric feeding tube, by duodenal feeding tube, via gastrostomy or rectally), parenterally (e.g., subcutaneous injection, intravenous injection or infusion, intra-arterial injection or infusion, intramuscular injection), topically (e.g., epicutaneous, inhalational, via eye drops, or through a mucous membrane), or by direct injection into a target organ (e.g., the liver of a subject). Typically, oligonucleotides disclosed herein are administered intravenously or subcutaneously.
  • In some embodiments, oligonucleotides are administered at a dose in a range of 0.1 mg/kg to 25 mg/kg (e.g., 1 mg/kg to 5 mg/kg). In some embodiments, oligonucleotides are administered at a dose in a range of 0.1 mg/kg to 5 mg/kg or in a range of 0.5 mg/kg to 5 mg/kg.
  • As a non-limiting set of examples, the oligonucleotides of the instant disclosure would typically be administered once per year, twice per year, quarterly (once every three months), bi-monthly (once every two months), monthly, or weekly.
  • In some embodiments, the subject to be treated is a human (e.g., a human patient) or non-human primate or other mammalian subject. Other exemplary subjects include domesticated animals such as dogs and cats; livestock such as horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and chickens; and animals such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, and hamsters.
  • EXAMPLES Example 1: Development of PCSK9 Oligonucleotide Inhibitors Using Human and Mouse Cell-Based Assays
  • Human and mouse-based assays were used to develop candidate oligonucleotides for inhibition of PCSK9 expression. First, a computer-based algorithm was used to generate candidate oligonucleotide sequences (25-27-mer) for PCSK9 inhibition. Cell-based assays and PCR assays were then employed for evaluation of candidate oligonucleotides for their ability to reduce PCSK9 expression.
  • The computer-based algorithm provided oligonucleotides that were complementary to human PCSK9 mRNA (SEQ ID NO: 1245, Table 1), of which certain sequences were also complementary to Rhesus monkey PCSK9 mRNA (SEQ ID NO: 1246, Table 1).
  • TABLE 1
    Sequences of human and Rhesus monkey PCSK9 mRNA
    Species GenBank RefSeq # SEQ ID NO.
    Human NM_174936.3 1245
    Rhesus monkey NM_001112660.1 1246
  • Of the oligonucleotides that the algorithm provided, 576 oligonucleotides were selected as candidates for experimental evaluation in a Huh-7 cell-based assay. In this assay, Huh-7 human liver cells stably expressing PCSK9 were transfected with the oligonucleotides. Cells were maintained for a period of time following transfection and then levels of remaining PCSK9 mRNA were interrogated using TAQMAN®-based qPCR assays. Two qPCR assays, a 3′ assay and a 5′ assay, were used to determine mRNA levels as measured by HEX (housekeeping gene—SFRS9) and FAM probes, respectively. The results of the cell-based assay with the 576 oligonucleotides are shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The percent mRNA remaining is shown for each of the 5′ assay (circle shapes) and the 3′ assay (diamond shapes) in FIG. 1B. Oligonucleotides with the lowest percentage of mRNA remaining compared to mock transfection controls were considered hits. Oligonucleotides with low complementarity to the human genome were used as negative controls.
  • Based on the activity and locations of these oligonucleotides, hotspots on the human PCSK9 mRNA were defined. A hotspot was identified as a stretch on the human PCSK9 mRNA sequence associated with at least one oligonucleotide resulting in mRNA levels that were less than or equal to 35% in either assay compared with controls. Accordingly, the following hotspots within the human PCSK9 mRNA sequence (NM_174936.3) were identified: 746-783, 2602-2639, 2737-2792, 2880-2923, 2956-2996, 3015-3075, 3099-3178, 3190-3244, 3297-3359, 3649-3446, 3457-3499, and 3532-3715.
  • The sequences of the hotspots are outlined in Table 2.
  • TABLE 2
    Sequences of Hotspots
    Hotspot
    Position
    In Human
    PCSK9 SEQ
    mRNA Sequence ID NO.
    746-783 CGACCTGCTGGAGCTGGCCTTGAAGTTGCC 1233
    CCATGTCG
    2602-2639 AGCCTCCTTGCCTGGAACTCACTCACTCTG 1234
    GGTGCCTC
    2737-2792 CAATGTGCCGATGTCCGTGGGCAGAATGAC 1235
    TTTTATTGAGCTCTTGTTCCGTGCCA
    2880-2923 CGTTGGGGGGTGAGTGTGAAAGGTGCTGAT 1236
    GGCCCTCATCTCCA
    2956-2996 GATTAATGGAGGCTTAGCTTTCTGGATGGC 1237
    ATCTAGCCAGA
    3015-3075 CCCTGGTGGTCACAGGCTGTGCCTTGGTTT 1238
    CCTGAGCCACCTTTACTCTGCTCTATGCCA
    G
    3099-3178 TGGCCTGCGGGGAGCCATCACCTAGGACTG 1239
    ACTCGGCAGTGTGCAGTGGTGCATGCACTG
    TCTCAGCCAACCCGCTCCAC
    3190-3244 GTACACATTCGCACCCCTACTTCACAGAGG 1240
    AAGAAACCTGGAACCAGAGGGGGCG
    3297-3359 GCTCTGAAGCCAAGCCTCTTCTTACTTCAC 1241
    CCGGCTGGGCTCCTCATTTTTACGGGTAAC
    AGT
    3469-3446 AACGATGCCTGCAGGCATGGAACTTTTTCC 1242
    GTTATCACCCAGGCCT
    3457-3499 TTCACTGGCCTGGCGGAGATGCTTCTAAGG 1243
    CATGGTCGGGGGA
    3532-3715 GCCCCACCCAAGCAAGCAGACATTTATCTT 1244
    TTGGGTCTGTCCTCTCTGTTGCCTTTTTAC
    AGCCAACTTTTCTAGACCTGTTTTGCTTTT
    GTAACTTGAAGATATTTATTCTGGGTTTTG
    TAGCATTTTTATTAATATGGTGACTTTTTA
    AAATAAAAACAAACAAACGTTGTCCTAACA
    AAAA
  • Dose Response Analysis
  • Of the 576 oligonucleotides evaluated in the initial Huh-7 cell-based assay, 96 particularly active oligonucleotides were selected as hits based on their ability to knock down PCSK9 levels and were subjected to a secondary screen (FIGS. 2A and 2B).
  • In this secondary screen, the candidate oligonucleotides were tested using the same assay as in the primary screen, but at two different concentrations 0.1 nM and 1 nM (FIGS. 2A and 2B). The target mRNA levels were generally normalized based on splicing factor, arginine/serine-rich 9 (SFRS9), a housekeeping gene that provides a stable expression reference across samples, to generate the percent mRNA shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The tested oligonucleotides in each of FIGS. 2A and 2B are shown compared to mock transfection control. All 96 oligonucleotides had the same modification pattern, designated M1, which contains a combination of ribonucleotides, deoxyribonucleotides and 2′-O-methyl modified nucleotides. The sequences of the 96 oligonucleotides tested are provided in Table 3.
  • TABLE 3
    Candidate oligonucleotide Sequences for Huh-7 Cell-Based
    Assay
    Sense Corresponding Antisense
    SEQ ID NO. SEQ ID NO.
    35, 41, 51, 53, 56-58, 66, 177- 488, 494, 504, 506, 509-511,
    180, 187, 192, 196, 201-204, 519, 630-633, 640, 645, 649,
    219-225, 227, 237-241, 243, 654-657, 672-678, 680, 690-
    248, 249, 257, 261, 262, 264, 694, 696, 701, 702, 710, 714,
    266, 268, 274, 280, 281, 288- 715, 717, 719, 721, 727, 733,
    292, 297, 304-306, 315, 316, 734, 741-745, 750, 757-759,
    320-322, 328-330, 333, 334, 768, 769, 773-775, 781-783,
    344, 345, 347, 349, 351, 352, 786, 787, 797, 798, 800, 802,
    374, 375, 385-395, 400-402, 804, 805, 827, 828, 838-848,
    405, 408-411, 418, 433, 434, 853-855, 858, 861-864, 871,
    440-442 886, 887, 893-895
    Sense and antisense SEQ ID NO. columns provide the sense strand and respective antisense strand, in relative order, that are hybridized to make each oligonucleotide. For example, sense strand of SEQ ID NO: 35 hybridizes with antisense strand of SEQ ID NO: 488; each of the oligonucleotides tested had the same modification pattern.
  • At this stage, the most potent sequences from the testing were selected for further analysis. The selected sequences were converted to a nicked tetraloop conjugate structure format (a 36-mer passenger strand with a 22-mer guide strand). See FIG. 3 for a generic tetraloop conjugate structure. Four GalNAc moieties were conjugated to nucleotides in the tetraloop of the sense strand. Conjugation was performed using a click linker. The GalNAc used was as shown below:
  • Figure US20230250435A1-20230810-C00001
  • These oligonucleotides were then tested as before, and each oligonucleotide was evaluated at two concentrations for its ability to reduce PCSK9 mRNA expression in vitro, using Huh-7 cells, as well as in vivo, using a mouse HDI model.
  • In Vivo Murine Screening and In Vitro Human Cell Line Screening
  • Data from the above in vitro experiments were assessed to identify tetraloops and modification patterns that would improve delivery properties while maintaining activity for reduction of PCSK9 expression in the mouse hepatocytes. As shown in FIG. 4 , 12 human PCSK9 tetraloop conjugates with a range of modifications were dosed subcutaneously into mice at a concentration of 3 mg/kg. Animals were administered 2 ml of human PCSK9 plasmid (pcDNA3.1-hPCSK9, total 16 μg) suspended in PBS per animal by tail vein (intravenous) injection on day 3 after the subcutaneous dosing of tetraloop conjugates. Mice were euthanized on day 4 following administration. Liver samples were obtained and RNA was extracted to evaluate PCSK9 mRNA levels by RT-qPCR. The percent PCSK9 mRNA as compared to PBS control mRNA was determined based on these measurements.
  • Further tetraloop sequences were tested in human Huh-7 cells at two different concentrations (0.03 nM and 0.1 nM in tetraloop formation; labeled as “Phase T2”) (FIG. 5A). From the 40 tetraloop oligonucleotides tested (shown in FIG. 5A), 21 different base sequences were selected to be scaled up as 5′-MOP/GalNAc conjugates for further in vivo testing (FIGS. 5B and 5C). The PCSK9 oligonucleotides were subcutaneously administered to CD-1 mice transiently expressing human PCSK9 mRNA by hydrodynamic injection (HDI) of a human PCSK9 expression plasmid (pcDNA3.1-hPCSK9, total 16 μg). Mice were euthanized on day 4 following administration. Liver samples were obtained and RNA was extracted to evaluate PCSK9 mRNA levels by RT-qPCR. The percent PCSK9 mRNA as compared to PBS control mRNA was determined based on these measurements. As shown in FIGS. 5B-5C, different concentrations (1 mg/kg and 2 mg/kg) were used for the candidate molecules. A candidate of sense sequence SEQ ID NO: 1182 and antisense sequence SEQ ID NO: 1222 may be seen in both FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C.
  • Additional testing of certain PCSK9 oligonucleotides in the mouse HDI model described above was performed using three different PCSK9 tetraloop conjugates with varied modification patterns at three different concentrations (0.1 mg/kg, 0.3 mg/kg, and 1 mg/kg). Results are shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
  • In Vivo Non-Human Primate Screening
  • An additional study was performed to evaluate PCSK9 mRNA KD with tetraloop conjugates in non-human primates. Cynomolgus monkeys (n=4 per group) were administered 3 or 6 mg/kg subcutaneously in a single dose. Clinical observations were recorded daily, and blood samples were taken three times prior to the dosing and twice a week until day 36 and weekly through day 90. Serum samples were analyzed for a standard LFT panel (ALT, AST, ALP, and GGT), as well as LDL-c, HDL-c, total cholesterol, and TG. Three sets of sequences (sense and antisense) were tested: S1266-AS1269, S1267-AS1270, and S1268-AS1271 and results are shown in FIGS. 7A-7C. All three sets of sequences were able to reduce plasma levels of PCSK9 relative to the pre-dose levels.
  • Materials and Methods Transfection
  • For the first screen, Lipofectamine RNAiMAX™ was used to complex the oligonucleotides for efficient transfection. Oligonucleotides, RNAiMAX and Opti-MEM incubated together at room temperature for 20 minutes and then 50 μL of this mix was added per well to plates prior to transfection. Media was aspirated from a flask of actively passaging cells and the cells were incubated at 37° C. in the presence of trypsin for 3-5 minutes. After cells no longer adhered to the flask, cell growth media (lacking penicillin and streptomycin) was added to neutralize the trypsin and to suspend the cells. A 10 μL aliquot was removed and cells were counted with a hemocytometer to quantify the cells on a per milliliter basis. A diluted cell suspension was added to the 96-well transfection plates, which already contained the oligonucleotides in Opti-MEM. The transfection plates were then incubated for 24 hours at 37° C. After 24 hours of incubation, media was aspirated from each well.
  • For subsequent screens and experiments, e.g., the secondary screen, Lipofectamine RNAiMAX was used to complex the oligonucleotides for reverse transfection. The complexes were made by mixing RNAiMAX and siRNAs in OptiMEM medium for 15 minutes. The transfection mixture was transferred to multi-well plates and cell suspension was added to the wells. After 24 hours incubation the cells were washed once with PBS and then processed described above.
  • Hydrodynamic Injection (HDI)
  • CD-1 female mice were obtained from Charles River Laboratories. All mice were maintained in an AALAC and IACUC approved animal facility at the Dicerna Pharmaceuticals. Animals were divided into appropriate number of study groups and dosed with the test article assigned to that group. Animals were dosed subcutaneously with the PCSK tetraloop conjugates. Animals were administered with 2 ml hPCSK9 plasmid suspended in PBS per animal by tail vein intravenous injection on day 3 after the subcutaneous dosing of tetraloop conjugate. Mice were sacrificed on days 4 via CO2 asphyxiation and liver tissue was collected. Liver tissue was collected by taking two 4 mm punch biopsies and processed to RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, q-RT PCR, according the manufacturer's protocol. pcDNA3.1-hPCSK9 plasmid encoding the human PCSK9 (NM 174936.3) gene (hPCSK9) was synthesized by Genewiz.
  • cDNA Synthesis
  • Cells were lysed for 5 minutes using the iScript RT-qPCR sample preparation buffer from Bio-Rad. The supernatants containing total RNA were then stored at −80° C. or used for reverse transcription using the High Capacity Reverse Transcription kit (Life Technologies) in a 10 microliter reaction. The cDNA was then diluted to 50 μL with nuclease free water and used for quantitative PCR with multiplexed 5′-endonuclease assays and SSoFast qPCR mastermix (Bio-Rad laboratories).
  • qPCR Assays
  • For each target, mRNA levels were quantified by two 5′ nuclease assays. In general, several assays are screened for each target. The two assays selected displayed a combination of good efficiency, low limit of detection, and broad 5′43′ coverage of the gene of interest (GOI). Both assays against one GOI could be combined in one reaction when different fluorophores were used on the respective probes. Thus, the final step in assay validation was to determine the efficiency of the selected assays when they were combined in the same qPCR or “multi-plexed.”
  • Linearized plasmids for both assays in 10-fold dilutions were combined and qPCR was performed. The efficiency of each assay was determined as described above. The accepted efficiency rate was 90-110%.
  • While validating multi-plexed reactions using linearized plasmid standards, Cq values for the target of interest were also assessed using cDNA as the template. The cDNA, in this case, was derived from RNA isolated on the Corbett (˜5 ng/μl in water) from untransfected cells. In this way, the observed Cq values from this sample cDNA were representative of the expected Cq values from a 96-well plate transfection. In cases where Cq values were greater than 30, other cell lines were sought that exhibit higher expression levels of the gene of interest. A library of total RNA isolated from via high-throughput methods on the Corbett from each human and mouse line was generated and used to screen for acceptable levels of target expression.
  • Description of Oligonucleotide Nomenclature
  • All oligonucleotides described herein are designated either SN1-ASN2-MN3. The following designations apply:
      • N1: sequence identifier number of the sense strand sequence
      • N2: sequence identifier number of the antisense strand sequence
      • N3: reference number of modification pattern, in which each number represents a pattern of modified nucleotides in the oligonucleotide.
        For example, S1-AS454-M1 represents an oligonucleotide with a sense sequence that is set forth by SEQ ID NO: 1, an antisense sequence that is set forth by SEQ ID NO: 454, and which is adapted to a modification pattern identified as M1.
  • TABLE 4
    S SEQ AS SEQ
    App Name Sense Sequence/mRNA seq ID NO Antisense Sequence ID NO
    S1-AS454- AAGCACCCACACCCUAGAAUGUUTC    1 GAAACAUUCUAGGGUGUGG  454
    M1 GUGCUUGA
    S2-AS455- AGCACCCACACCCUAGAAGUUUUCC    2 GGAAAACUUCUAGGGUGUG  455
    M1 GGUGCUUG
    S3-AS456- GCACCCACACCCUAGAAGGUUUCCG    3 CGGAAACCUUCUAGGGUGU  456
    M1 GGGUGCUU
    S4-AS457- ACCCACACCCUAGAAGGUUUCCGCA    4 UGCGGAAACCUUCUAGGGU  457
    M1 GUGGGUGC
    S5-AS458- CCCACACCCUAGAAGGUUUUCGCAG    5 CUGCGAAAACCUUCUAGGG  458
    M1 UGUGGGUG
    S6-AS459- AGUUCAGGGUCUGAGCCUGUAGGAG    6 CUCCUACAGGCUCAGACCC  459
    M1 UGAACUGA
    S7-AS460- GUUCAGGGUCUGAGCCUGGAGGAGT    7 ACUCCUCCAGGCUCAGACC  460
    M1 CUGAACUG
    S8-AS461- UUCAGGGUCUGAGCCUGGAUGAGTG    8 CACUCAUCCAGGCUCAGAC  461
    M1 CCUGAACU
    S9-AS462- UCAGGGUCUGAGCCUGGAGUAGUGA    9 UCACUACUCCAGGCUCAGA  462
    M1 CCCUGAAC
    S10-AS463- AGGGUCUGAGCCUGGAGGAUUGAGC   10 GCUCAAUCCUCCAGGCUCA  463
    M1 GACCCUGA
    S11-AS464- GGUCUGAGCCUGGAGGAGUUAGCCA   11 UGGCUAACUCCUCCAGGCU  464
    M1 CAGACCCU
    S12-AS465- AGGAUUCCGCGCGCCCCUUUACGCG   12 CGCGUAAAGGGGCGCGCGG  465
    M1 AAUCCUGG
    S13-AS466- GGAUUCCGCGCGCCCCUUCACGCGC   13 GCGCGUGAAGGGGCGCGCG  466
    M1 GAAUCCUG
    S14-AS467- UCACGCGCCCUGCUCCUGAACUUCA   14 UGAAGUUCAGGAGCAGGGC  467
    M1 GCGUGAAG
    S15-AS468- CACGCGCCCUGCUCCUGAAUUUCAG   15 CUGAAAUUCAGGAGCAGGG  468
    M1 CGCGUGAA
    S16-AS469- CCCUGCUCCUGAACUUCAGUUCCTG   16 CAGGAACUGAAGUUCAGGA  469
    M1 GCAGGGCG
    S17-AS470- CUGCUCCUGAACUUCAGCUUCUGCA   17 UGCAGAAGCUGAAGUUCAG  470
    M1 GAGCAGGG
    S18-AS471- UGCUCCUGAACUUCAGCUCUUGCAC   18 GUGCAAGAGCUGAAGUUCA  471
    M1 GGAGCAGG
    S19-AS472- GCUCCUGAACUUCAGCUCCUGCACA   19 UGUGCAGGAGCUGAAGUUC  472
    M1 AGGAGCAG
    S20-AS473- CUCCUGAACUUCAGCUCCUUCACAG   20 CUGUGAAGGAGCUGAAGUU  473
    M1 CAGGAGCA
    S21-AS474- UCCUGAACUUCAGCUCCUGUACAGT   21 ACUGUACAGGAGCUGAAGU  474
    M1 UCAGGAGC
    S22-AS475- CCUGAACUUCAGCUCCUGCACAGTC   22 GACUGUGCAGGAGCUGAAG  475
    M1 UUCAGGAG
    S23-AS476- CUGAACUUCAGCUCCUGCAUAGUCC   23 GGACUAUGCAGGAGCUGAA  476
    M1 GUUCAGGA
    S24-AS477- UGAACUUCAGCUCCUGCACAGUCCT   24 AGGACUGUGCAGGAGCUGA  477
    M1 AGUUCAGG
    S25-AS478- GAACUUCAGCUCCUGCACAUUCCTC   25 GAGGAAUGUGCAGGAGCUG  478
    M1 AAGUUCAG
    S26-AS479- AACUUCAGCUCCUGCACAGUCCUCC   26 GGAGGACUGUGCAGGAGCU  479
    M1 GAAGUUCA
    S27-AS480- ACUUCAGCUCCUGCACAGUUCUCCC   27 GGGAGAACUGUGCAGGAGC  480
    M1 UGAAGUUC
    S28-AS481- CUUCAGCUCCUGCACAGUCUUCCCC   28 GGGGAAGACUGUGCAGGAG  481
    M1 CUGAAGUU
    S29-AS482- ACAGUCCUCCCCACCGCAAUGCUCA   29 UGAGCAUUGCGGUGGGGAG  482
    M1 GACUGUGC
    S30-AS483- CAGUCCUCCCCACCGCAAGUCUCAA   30 UUGAGACUUGCGGUGGGGA  483
    M1 GGACUGUG
    S31-AS484- GCCUCUAGGUCUCCUCGCCAGGACA   31 UGUCCUGGCGAGGAGACCU  484
    M1 AGAGGCCG
    S32-AS485- GCCAGGACAGCAACCUCUCUCCUGG   32 CCAGGAGAGAGGUUGCUGU  485
    M1 CCUGGCGA
    S33-AS486- GGACAGCAACCUCUCCCCUUGCCCT   33 AGGGCAAGGGGAGAGGUUG  486
    M1 CUGUCCUG
    S34-AS487- CCCCUGGCCCUCAUGGGCAUCGUCA   34 UGACGAUGCCCAUGAGGGC  487
    M1 CAGGGGAG
    S35-AS488- UGGCCCUCAUGGGCACCGUUAGCTC   35 GAGCUAACGGUGCCCAUGA  488
    M1 GGGCCAGG
    S36-AS489- GGCCCUCAUGGGCACCGUCAGCUCC   36 GGAGCUGACGGUGCCCAUG  489
    M1 AGGGCCAG
    S37-AS490- GCCCUCAUGGGCACCGUCAUCUCCA   37 UGGAGAUGACGGUGCCCAU  490
    M1 GAGGGCCA
    S38-AS491- GCGGUCCUGGUGGCCGCUGUCACTG   38 CAGUGACAGCGGCCACCAG  491
    M1 GACCGCCU
    S39-AS492- GGCCUGGCCGAAGCACCCGAGCACG   39 CGUGCUCGGGUGCUUCGGC  492
    M1 CAGGCCGU
    S40-AS493- ACCCGAGCACGGAACCACAUCCACC   40 GGUGGAUGUGGUUCCGUGC  493
    M1 UCGGGUGC
    S41-AS494- AGCACGGAACCACAGCCACUUUCCA   41 UGGAAAGUGGCUGUGGUUC  494
    M1 CGUGCUCG
    S42-AS495- CACGGAACCACAGCCACCUUCCACC   42 GGUGGAAGGUGGCUGUGGU  495
    M1 UCCGUGCU
    S43-AS496- ACGGAACCACAGCCACCUUUCACCG   43 CGGUGAAAGGUGGCUGUGG  496
    M1 UUCCGUGC
    S44-AS497- GCCAAGGAUCCGUGGAGGUUGCCTG   44 CAGGCAACCUCCACGGAUC  497
    M1 CUUGGCGC
    S45-AS498- CCAAGGAUCCGUGGAGGUUUCCUGG   45 CCAGGAAACCUCCACGGAU  498
    M1 CCUUGGCG
    S46-AS499- AAGGAUCCGUGGAGGUUGCUUGGCA   46 UGCCAAGCAACCUCCACGG  499
    M1 AUCCUUGG
    S47-AS500- GGAUCCGUGGAGGUUGCCUUGCACC   47 GGUGCAAGGCAACCUCCAC  500
    M1 GGAUCCUU
    S48-AS501- UGGAGGUUGCCUGGCACCUACGUGG   48 CCACGUAGGUGCCAGGCAA  501
    M1 CCUCCACG
    S49-AS502- UGCCUGGCACCUACGUGGUUGUGCT   49 AGCACAACCACGUAGGUGC  502
    M1 CAGGCAAC
    S50-AS503- GCCUGGCACCUACGUGGUGUUGCTG   50 CAGCAACACCACGUAGGUG  503
    M1 CCAGGCAA
    S51-AS504- AGGAGGAGACCCACCUCUCUCAGTC   51 GACUGAGAGAGGUGGGUCU  504
    M1 CCUCCUUC
    S52-AS505- CCUGCAUGUCUUCCAUGGCUUUCTT   52 AAGAAAGCCAUGGAAGACA  505
    M1 UGCAGGAU
    S53-AS506- UGCAUGUCUUCCAUGGCCUUCUUCC   53 GGAAGAAGGCCAUGGAAGA  506
    M1 CAUGCAGG
    S54-AS507- ACCUGCUGGAGCUGGCCUUUAAGTT   54 AACUUAAAGGCCAGCUCCA  507
    M1 GCAGGUCG
    S55-AS508- CUGCUGGAGCUGGCCUUGAAGUUGC   55 GCAACUUCAAGGCCAGCUC  508
    M1 CAGCAGGU
    S56-AS509- UGCUGGAGCUGGCCUUGAAUUUGCC   56 GGCAAAUUCAAGGCCAGCU  509
    M1 CCAGCAGG
    S57-AS510- UGGAGCUGGCCUUGAAGUUUCCCCA   57 UGGGGAAACUUCAAGGCCA  510
    M1 GCUCCAGC
    S58-AS511- GGCCUUGAAGUUGCCCCAUUUCGAC   58 GUCGAAAUGGGGCAACUUC  511
    M1 AAGGCCAG
    S59-AS512- GCCUUGAAGUUGCCCCAUGUCGACT   59 AGUCGACAUGGGGCAACUU  512
    M1 CAAGGCCA
    S60-AS513- CCUUGAAGUUGCCCCAUGUUGACTA   60 UAGUCAACAUGGGGCAACU  513
    M1 UCAAGGCC
    S61-AS514- CUUGAAGUUGCCCCAUGUCUACUAC   61 GUAGUAGACAUGGGGCAAC  514
    M1 UUCAAGGC
    S62-AS515- ACUCCUCUGUCUUUGCCCAUAGCAT   62 AUGCUAUGGGCAAAGACAG  515
    M1 AGGAGUCC
    S63-AS516- CUCCUCUGUCUUUGCCCAGAGCATC   63 GAUGCUCUGGGCAAAGACA  516
    M1 GAGGAGUC
    S64-AS517- UCCUCUGUCUUUGCCCAGAUCAUCC   64 GGAUGAUCUGGGCAAAGAC  517
    M1 AGAGGAGU
    S65-AS518- CCUCUGUCUUUGCCCAGAGUAUCCC   65 GGGAUACUCUGGGCAAAGA  518
    M1 CAGAGGAG
    S66-AS519- UCUGUCUUUGCCCAGAGCAUCCCGT   66 ACGGGAUGCUCUGGGCAAA  519
    M1 GACAGAGG
    S67-AS520- CUGUCUUUGCCCAGAGCAUUCCGTG   67 CACGGAAUGCUCUGGGCAA  520
    M1 AGACAGAG
    S68-AS521- GUCUUUGCCCAGAGCAUCCUGUGGA   68 UCCACAGGAUGCUCUGGGC  521
    M1 AAAGACAG
    S69-AS522- UCUUUGCCCAGAGCAUCCCUUGGAA   69 UUCCAAGGGAUGCUCUGGG  522
    M1 CAAAGACA
    S70-AS523- UUUGCCCAGAGCAUCCCGUUGAACC   70 GGUUCAACGGGAUGCUCUG  523
    M1 GGCAAAGA
    S71-AS524- AGAGCAUCCCGUGGAACCUUGAGCG   71 CGCUCAAGGUUCCACGGGA  524
    M1 UGCUCUGG
    S72-AS525- GAGCAUCCCGUGGAACCUGUAGCGG   72 CCGCUACAGGUUCCACGGG  525
    M1 AUGCUCUG
    S73-AS526- AGCAUCCCGUGGAACCUGGAGCGGA   73 UCCGCUCCAGGUUCCACGG  526
    M1 GAUGCUCU
    S74-AS527- GCAUCCCGUGGAACCUGGAUCGGAT   74 AUCCGAUCCAGGUUCCACG  527
    M1 GGAUGCUC
    S75-AS528- CAUCCCGUGGAACCUGGAGUGGATT   75 AAUCCACUCCAGGUUCCAC  528
    M1 GGGAUGCU
    S76-AS529- AUCCCGUGGAACCUGGAGCUGAUTA   76 UAAUCAGCUCCAGGUUCCA  529
    M1 CGGGAUGC
    S77-AS530- UCCCGUGGAACCUGGAGCGUAUUAC   77 GUAAUACGCUCCAGGUUCC  530
    M1 ACGGGAUG
    S78-AS531- CCCGUGGAACCUGGAGCGGAUUACC   78 GGUAAUCCGCUCCAGGUUC  531
    M1 CACGGGAU
    S79-AS532- CCGUGGAACCUGGAGCGGAUUACCC   79 GGGUAAUCCGCUCCAGGUU  532
    M1 CCACGGGA
    S80-AS533- CUGGAGCGGAUUACCCCUCUACGGT   80 ACCGUAGAGGGGUAAUCCG  533
    M1 CUCCAGGU
    S81-AS534- UGGAGCGGAUUACCCCUCCACGGTA   81 UACCGUGGAGGGGUAAUCC  534
    M1 GCUCCAGG
    S82-AS535- GGAGCGGAUUACCCCUCCAUGGUAC   82 GUACCAUGGAGGGGUAAUC  535
    M1 CGCUCCAG
    S83-AS536- GAGCGGAUUACCCCUCCACUGUACC   83 GGUACAGUGGAGGGGUAAU  536
    M1 CCGCUCCA
    S84-AS537- AGCGGAUUACCCCUCCACGUUACCG   84 CGGUAACGUGGAGGGGUAA  537
    M1 UCCGCUCC
    S85-AS538- CGGAUUACCCCUCCACGGUACCGGG   85 CCCGGUACCGUGGAGGGGU  538
    M1 AAUCCGCU
    S86-AS539- GGAUUACCCCUCCACGGUAUCGGGC   86 GCCCGAUACCGUGGAGGGG  539
    M1 UAAUCCGC
    S87-AS540- UCCACGGUACCGGGCGGAUUAAUAC   87 GUAUUAAUCCGCCCGGUAC  540
    M1 CGUGGAGG
    S88-AS541- CGGAGGCAGCCUGGUGGAGUUGUAT   88 AUACAACUCCACCAGGCUG  541
    M1 CCUCCGUC
    S89-AS542- AGACACCAGCAUACAGAGUUACCAC   89 GUGGUAACUCUGUAUGCUG  542
    M1 GUGUCUAG
    S90-AS543- GCAUACAGAGUGACCACCGUGAAAT   90 AUUUCACGGUGGUCACUCU  543
    M1 GUAUGCUG
    S91-AS544- CGAGAAUGUGCCCGAGGAGUACGGG   91 CCCGUACUCCUCGGGCACA  544
    M1 UUCUCGAA
    S92-AS545- GAGAAUGUGCCCGAGGAGGACGGGA   92 UCCCGUCCUCCUCGGGCAC  545
    M1 AUUCUCGA
    S93-AS546- AGAAUGUGCCCGAGGAGGAUGGGAC   93 GUCCCAUCCUCCUCGGGCA  546
    M1 CAUUCUCG
    S94-AS547- GCAAGUGUGACAGUCAUGGUACCCA   94 UGGGUACCAUGACUGUCAC  547
    M1 ACUUGCUG
    S95-AS548- CAAGUGUGACAGUCAUGGCACCCAC   95 GUGGGUGCCAUGACUGUCA  548
    M1 CACUUGCU
    S96-AS549- AAGUGUGACAGUCAUGGCAUCCACC   96 GGUGGAUGCCAUGACUGUC  549
    M1 ACACUUGC
    S97-AS550- CGCAGCCUGCGCGUGCUCAACUGCC   97 GGCAGUUGAGCACGCGCAG  550
    M1 GCUGCGCA
    S98-AS551- GCAGCCUGCGCGUGCUCAAUUGCCA   98 UGGCAAUUGAGCACGCGCA  551
    M1 GGCUGCGC
    S99-AS552- AGCCUGUGGGGCCACUGGUUGUGCT   99 AGCACAACCAGUGGCCCCA  552
    M1 CAGGCUGG
    S100- CCUCUACUCCCCAGCCUCAUCUCCC  100 GGGAGAUGAGGCUGGGGAG  553
    AS553-M1 UAGAGGCA
    S101- CAGCCUCAGCUCCCGAGGUUAUCAC  101 GUGAUAACCUCGGGAGCUG  554
    AS554-M1 AGGCUGGG
    S102- GCCACCAAUGCCCAAGACCAGCCGG  102 CCGGCUGGUCUUGGGCAUU  555
    AS555-M1 GGUGGCCC
    S103- AUGCCCAAGACCAGCCGGUUACCCT  103 AGGGUAACCGGCUGGUCUU  556
    AS556-M1 GGGCAUUG
    S104- UGCCCAAGACCAGCCGGUGACCCTG  104 CAGGGUCACCGGCUGGUCU  557
    AS557-M1 UGGGCAUU
    S105- GUCACAGAGUGGGACAUCAUAGGCT  105 AGCCUAUGAUGUCCCACUC  558
    AS558-M1 UGUGACAC
    S106- GAGUGGGACAUCACAGGCUUCUGCC  106 GGCAGAAGCCUGUGAUGUC  559
    AS559-M1 CCACUCUG
    S107- UGGGACAUCACAGGCUGCUUCCCAC  107 GUGGGAAGCAGCCUGUGAU  560
    AS560-M1 GUCCCACU
    S108- GGGACAUCACAGGCUGCUGUCCACG  108 CGUGGACAGCAGCCUGUGA  561
    AS561-M1 UGUCCCAC
    S109- CUCACCCUGGCCGAGUUGAUGCAGA  109 UCUGCAUCAACUCGGCCAG  562
    AS562-M1 GGUGAGCU
    S110- ACCCUGGCCGAGUUGAGGCAGAGAC  110 GUCUCUGCCUCAACUCGGC  563
    AS563-M1 CAGGGUGA
    S111- ACUUCUCUGCCAAAGAUGUUAUCAA  111 UUGAUAACAUCUUUGGCAG  564
    AS564-M1 AGAAGUGG
    S112- CCCAUGGGGCAGGUUGGCAUCUGTT  112 AACAGAUGCCAACCUGCCC  565
    AS565-M1 CAUGGGUG
    S113- UGGGGCAGGUUGGCAGCUGUUUUGC  113 GCAAAACAGCUGCCAACCU  566
    AS566-M1 GCCCCAUG
    S114- CUGUUUUGCAGGACUGUAUUGUCAG  114 CUGACAAUACAGUCCUGCA  567
    AS567-M1 AAACAGCU
    S115- UUUUGCAGGACUGUAUGGUUAGCAC  115 GUGCUAACCAUACAGUCCU  568
    AS568-M1 GCAAAACA
    S116- CAGGACUGUAUGGUCAGCAUACUCG  116 CGAGUAUGCUGACCAUACA  569
    AS569-M1 GUCCUGCA
    S117- GGACUGUAUGGUCAGCACAUUCGGG  117 CCCGAAUGUGCUGACCAUA  570
    AS570-M1 CAGUCCUG
    S118- CGCUGCGCCCCAGAUGAGGAGCUGC  118 GCAGCUCCUCAUCUGGGGC  571
    AS571-M1 GCAGCGGG
    S119- GCGCCCCAGAUGAGGAGCUUCUGAG  119 CUCAGAAGCUCCUCAUCUG  572
    AS572-M1 GGGCGCAG
    S120- CCCCAGAUGAGGAGCUGCUUAGCTG  120 CAGCUAAGCAGCUCCUCAU  573
    AS573-M1 CUGGGGCG
    S121- CCCAGAUGAGGAGCUGCUGAGCUGC  121 GCAGCUCAGCAGCUCCUCA  574
    AS574-M1 UCUGGGGC
    S122- CCAGAUGAGGAGCUGCUGAUCUGCT  122 AGCAGAUCAGCAGCUCCUC  575
    AS575-M1 AUCUGGGG
    S123- CGGCGGGGCGAGCGCAUGGAGGCCC  123 GGGCCUCCAUGCGCUCGCC  576
    AS576-M1 CCGCCGCU
    S124- GGCGGGGCGAGCGCAUGGAUGCCCA  124 UGGGCAUCCAUGCGCUCGC  577
    AS577-M1 CCCGCCGC
    S125- GGCGAGCGCAUGGAGGCCCAAGGGG  125 CCCCUUGGGCCUCCAUGCG  578
    AS578-M1 CUCGCCCC
    S126- CUGGUCUGCCGGGCCCACAACGCTT  126 AAGCGUUGUGGGCCCGGCA  579
    AS579-M1 GACCAGCU
    S127- UGCCUGCUACCCCAGGCCAACUGCA  127 UGCAGUUGGCCUGGGGUAG  580
    AS580-M1 CAGGCAGC
    S128- GCCUGCUACCCCAGGCCAAUUGCAG  128 CUGCAAUUGGCCUGGGGUA  581
    AS581-M1 GCAGGCAG
    S129- CCCAGGCCAACUGCAGCGUUCACAC  129 GUGUGAACGCUGCAGUUGG  582
    AS582-M1 CCUGGGGU
    S130- GGCCCCUCAGGAGCAGGUGACCGTG  130 CACGGUCACCUGCUCCUGA  583
    AS583-M1 GGGGCCGG
    S131- UGACCGUGGCCUGCGAGGAUGGCTG  131 CAGCCAUCCUCGCAGGCCA  584
    AS584-M1 CGGUCACC
    S132- GCGAGGAGGGCUGGACCCUUACUGG  132 CCAGUAAGGGUCCAGCCCU  585
    AS585-M1 CCUCGCAG
    S133- CGAGGAGGGCUGGACCCUGACUGGC  133 GCCAGUCAGGGUCCAGCCC  586
    AS586-M1 UCCUCGCA
    S134- GGGCUGGACCCUGACUGGCUGCAGT  134 ACUGCAGCCAGUCAGGGUC  587
    AS587-M1 CAGCCCUC
    S135- GGCUGGACCCUGACUGGCUUCAGTG  135 CACUGAAGCCAGUCAGGGU  588
    AS588-M1 CCAGCCCU
    S136- UGGACCCUGACUGGCUGCAUUGCCC  136 GGGCAAUGCAGCCAGUCAG  589
    AS589-M1 GGUCCAGC
    S137- GGCUGCAGUGCCCUCCCUGUGACCT  137 AGGUCACAGGGAGGGCACU  590
    AS590-M1 GCAGCCAG
    S138- UCCCUGGGACCUCCCACGUUCUGGG  138 CCCAGAACGUGGGAGGUCC  591
    AS591-M1 CAGGGAGG
    S139- CCCUGGGACCUCCCACGUCUUGGGG  139 CCCCAAGACGUGGGAGGUC  592
    AS592-M1 CCAGGGAG
    S140- GGGCCUACGCCGUAGACAAUACGTG  140 CACGUAUUGUCUACGGCGU  593
    AS593-M1 AGGCCCCC
    S141- GACGUCAGCACUACAGGCAUCACCA  141 UGGUGAUGCCUGUAGUGCU  594
    AS594-M1 GACGUCCC
    S142- CAGCACUACAGGCAGCACCAGCGAA  142 UUCGCUGGUGCUGCCUGUA  595
    AS595-M1 GUGCUGAC
    S143- AGCACUACAGGCAGCACCAUCGAAG  143 CUUCGAUGGUGCUGCCUGU  596
    AS596-M1 AGUGCUGA
    S144- GCACUACAGGCAGCACCAGUGAAGG  144 CCUUCACUGGUGCUGCCUG  597
    AS597-M1 UAGUGCUG
    S145- GGGGCCGUGACAGCCGUUGUCAUCT  145 AGAUGACAACGGCUGUCAC  598
    AS598-M1 GGCCCCUU
    S146- GGAGCUCCAGUGACAGCCCUAUCCC  146 GGGAUAGGGCUGUCACUGG  599
    AS599-M1 AGCUCCUG
    S147- AGGAUGGGUGUCUGGGGAGUGUCAA  147 UUGACACUCCCCAGACACC  600
    AS600-M1 CAUCCUGG
    S148- UGGGUGUCUGGGGAGGGUCAAGGGC  148 GCCCUUGACCCUCCCCAGA  601
    AS601-M1 CACCCAUC
    S149- GGGUGUCUGGGGAGGGUCAAGGGCT  149 AGCCCUUGACCCUCCCCAG  602
    AS602-M1 CAACCCAU
    S150- GGUGUCUGGGGAGGGUCAAUGGCTG  150 CAGCCAUUGACCCUCCCCA  603
    AS603-M1 AGCACCCA
    S151- AGGGUCAAGGGCUGGGGCUUAGCTT  151 AAGCUAAGCCCCAGCCCUU  604
    AS604-M1 AGCCCUCC
    S152- GGGUCAAGGGCUGGGGCUGAGCUTT  152 AAAGCUCAGCCCCAGCCCU  605
    AS605-M1 UGACCCUC
    S153- GACUUGUCCCUCUCUCAGCUCUCCA  153 UGGAGAGCUGAGAGAGGGA  606
    AS606-M1 CAAGUCGG
    S154- ACUUGUCCCUCUCUCAGCCUUCCAT  154 AUGGAAGGCUGAGAGAGGG  607
    AS607-M1 ACAAGUCG
    S155- CUUGUCCCUCUCUCAGCCCUCCATG  155 CAUGGAGGGCUGAGAGAGG  608
    AS608-M1 GACAAGUC
    S156- UUGUCCCUCUCUCAGCCCUUCAUGG  156 CCAUGAAGGGCUGAGAGAG  609
    AS609-M1 GGACAAGU
    S157- UCCCUCUCUCAGCCCUCCAUGGCCT  157 AGGCCAUGGAGGGCUGAGA  610
    AS610-M1 GAGGGACA
    S158- UGGCCUGGCACGAGGGGAUUGGGAT  158 AUCCCAAUCCCCUCGUGCC  611
    AS611-M1 AGGCCAUG
    S159- UGGCACGAGGGGAUGGGGAUGCUTC  159 GAAGCAUCCCCAUCCCCUC  612
    AS612-M1 GUGCCAGG
    S160- CGAGGGGAUGGGGAUGCUUUCGCCT  160 AGGCGAAAGCAUCCCCAUC  613
    AS613-M1 CCCUCGUG
    S161- GAGGGGAUGGGGAUGCUUCUGCCTT  161 AAGGCAGAAGCAUCCCCAU  614
    AS614-M1 CCCCUCGU
    S162- GGGAUGGGGAUGCUUCCGCUUUUCC  162 GGAAAAGCGGAAGCAUCCC  615
    AS615-M1 CAUCCCCU
    S163- AUGGGGAUGCUUCCGCCUUUCCGGG  163 CCCGGAAAGGCGGAAGCAU  616
    AS616-M1 CCCCAUCC
    S164- UGGGGAUGCUUCCGCCUUUUCGGGG  164 CCCCGAAAAGGCGGAAGCA  617
    AS617-M1 UCCCCAUC
    S165- GGGGAUGCUUCCGCCUUUCUGGGGC  165 GCCCCAGAAAGGCGGAAGC  618
    AS618-M1 AUCCCCAU
    S166- GGGAUGCUUCCGCCUUUCCUGGGCT  166 AGCCCAGGAAAGGCGGAAG  619
    AS619-M1 CAUCCCCA
    S167- CCCUUGAGUGGGGCAGCCUUCUUGC  167 GCAAGAAGGCUGCCCCACU  620
    AS620-M1 CAAGGGCC
    S168- UGAGUGGGGCAGCCUCCUUUCCUGG  168 CCAGGAAAGGAGGCUGCCC  621
    AS621-M1 CACUCAAG
    S169- GGGGCAGCCUCCUUGCCUGUAACTC  169 GAGUUACAGGCAAGGAGGC  622
    AS622-M1 UGCCCCAC
    S170- GGCAGCCUCCUUGCCUGGAACUCAC  170 GUGAGUUCCAGGCAAGGAG  623
    AS623-M1 GCUGCCCC
    S171- GCAGCCUCCUUGCCUGGAAUUCACT  171 AGUGAAUUCCAGGCAAGGA  624
    AS624-M1 GGCUGCCC
    S172- AGCCUCCUUGCCUGGAACUUACUCA  172 UGAGUAAGUUCCAGGCAAG  625
    AS625-M1 GAGGCUGC
    S173- GCCUCCUUGCCUGGAACUCACUCAC  173 GUGAGUGAGUUCCAGGCAA  626
    AS626-M1 GGAGGCUG
    S174- CCUCCUUGCCUGGAACUCAUUCACT  174 AGUGAAUGAGUUCCAGGCA  627
    AS627-M1 AGGAGGCU
    S175- CUCCUUGCCUGGAACUCACUCACTC  175 GAGUGAGUGAGUUCCAGGC  628
    AS628-M1 AAGGAGGC
    S176- UCCUUGCCUGGAACUCACUUACUCT  176 AGAGUAAGUGAGUUCCAGG  629
    AS629-M1 CAAGGAGG
    S177- CCUUGCCUGGAACUCACUCACUCTG  177 CAGAGUGAGUGAGUUCCAG  630
    AS630-M1 GCAAGGAG
    S178- CUUGCCUGGAACUCACUCAUUCUGG  178 CCAGAAUGAGUGAGUUCCA  631
    AS631-M1 GGCAAGGA
    S179- UUGCCUGGAACUCACUCACUCUGGG  179 CCCAGAGUGAGUGAGUUCC  632
    AS632-M1 AGGCAAGG
    S180- UGCCUGGAACUCACUCACUUUGGGT  180 ACCCAAAGUGAGUGAGUUC  633
    AS633-M1 CAGGCAAG
    S181- UCUGGGUGCCUCCUCCCCAUGUGGA  181 UCCACAUGGGGAGGAGGCA  634
    AS634-M1 CCCAGAGU
    S182- CCCAGGUGGAGGUGCCAGGAAGCTC  182 GAGCUUCCUGGCACCUCCA  635
    AS635-M1 CCUGGGGA
    S183- CCAGGAAGCUCCCUCCCUCACUGTG  183 CACAGUGAGGGAGGGAGCU  636
    AS636-M1 UCCUGGCA
    S184- GGAAGCUCCCUCCCUCACUUUGGGG  184 CCCCAAAGUGAGGGAGGGA  637
    AS637-M1 GCUUCCUG
    S185- AGCUCCCUCCCUCACUGUGUGGCAT  185 AUGCCACACAGUGAGGGAG  638
    AS638-M1 GGAGCUUC
    S186- GCUCCCUCCCUCACUGUGGUGCATT  186 AAUGCACCACAGUGAGGGA  639
    AS639-M1 GGGAGCUU
    S187- GGGGCAUUUCACCAUUCAAACAGGT  187 ACCUGUUUGAAUGGUGAAA  640
    AS640-M1 UGCCCCAC
    S188- GGGCAUUUCACCAUUCAAAUAGGTC  188 GACCUAUUUGAAUGGUGAA  641
    AS641-M1 AUGCCCCA
    S189- CACCAUUCAAACAGGUCGAUCUGTG  189 CACAGAUCGACCUGUUUGA  642
    AS642-M1 AUGGUGAA
    S190- ACCAUUCAAACAGGUCGAGUUGUGC  190 GCACAACUCGACCUGUUUG  643
    AS643-M1 AAUGGUGA
    S191- UGCUCGGGUGCUGCCAGCUUCUCCC  191 GGGAGAAGCUGGCAGCACC  644
    AS644-M1 CGAGCACA
    S192- CGGGUGCUGCCAGCUGCUCUCAATG  192 CAUUGAGAGCAGCUGGCAG  645
    AS645-M1 CACCCGAG
    S193- GGGUGCUGCCAGCUGCUCCUAAUGT  193 ACAUUAGGAGCAGCUGGCA  646
    AS646-M1 GCACCCGA
    S194- GCCAGCUGCUCCCAAUGUGUCGATG  194 CAUCGACACAUUGGGAGCA  647
    AS647-M1 GCUGGCAG
    S195- CCAGCUGCUCCCAAUGUGCUGAUGT  195 ACAUCAGCACAUUGGGAGC  648
    AS648-M1 AGCUGGCA
    S196- UGCCGAUGUCCGUGGGCAGAAUGAC  196 GUCAUUCUGCCCACGGACA  649
    AS649-M1 UCGGCACA
    S197- GCAGAAUGACUUUUAUUGAUCUCTT  197 AAGAGAUCAAUAAAAGUCA  650
    AS650-M1 UUCUGCCC
    S198- CAGAAUGACUUUUAUUGAGUUCUTG  198 CAAGAACUCAAUAAAAGUC  651
    AS651-M1 AUUCUGCC
    S199- AGAAUGACUUUUAUUGAGCUCUUGT  199 ACAAGAGCUCAAUAAAAGU  652
    AS652-M1 CAUUCUGC
    S200- GAAUGACUUUUAUUGAGCUUUUGTT  200 AACAAAAGCUCAAUAAAAG  653
    AS653-M1 UCAUUCUG
    S201- AAUGACUUUUAUUGAGCUCUUGUTC  201 GAACAAGAGCUCAAUAAAA  654
    AS654-M1 GUCAUUCU
    S202- AUGACUUUUAUUGAGCUCUUGUUCC  202 GGAACAAGAGCUCAAUAAA  655
    AS655-M1 AGUCAUUC
    S203- UGACUUUUAUUGAGCUCUUUUUCCG  203 CGGAAAAAGAGCUCAAUAA  656
    AS656-M1 AAGUCAUU
    S204- CUUGUUCCGUGCCAGGCAUUCAATC  204 GAUUGAAUGCCUGGCACGG  657
    AS657-M1 AACAAGAG
    S205- CCAGGCAUUCAAUCCUCAGUUCUCC  205 GGAGAACUGAGGAUUGAAU  658
    AS658-M1 GCCUGGCA
    S206- CAUUCAAUCCUCAGGUCUCUACCAA  206 UUGGUAGAGACCUGAGGAU  659
    AS659-M1 UGAAUGCC
    S207- AUUCAAUCCUCAGGUCUCCACCAAG  207 CUUGGUGGAGACCUGAGGA  660
    AS660-M1 UUGAAUGC
    S208- UUCAAUCCUCAGGUCUCCAUCAAGG  208 CCUUGAUGGAGACCUGAGG  661
    AS661-M1 AUUGAAUG
    S209- CCUCAGGUCUCCACCAAGGAGGCAG  209 CUGCCUCCUUGGUGGAGAC  662
    AS662-M1 CUGAGGAU
    S210- CUCAGGUCUCCACCAAGGAUGCAGG  210 CCUGCAUCCUUGGUGGAGA  663
    AS663-M1 CCUGAGGA
    S211- GCGGUAGGGGCUGCAGGGAUAAACA  211 UGUUUAUCCCUGCAGCCCC  664
    AS664-M1 UACCGCCC
    S212- CGGUAGGGGCUGCAGGGACAAACAT  212 AUGUUUGUCCCUGCAGCCC  665
    AS665-M1 CUACCGCC
    S213- GGUAGGGGCUGCAGGGACAAACATC  213 GAUGUUUGUCCCUGCAGCC  666
    AS666-M1 CCUACCGC
    S214- UAGGGGCUGCAGGGACAAAUAUCGT  214 ACGAUAUUUGUCCCUGCAG  667
    AS667-M1 CCCCUACC
    S215- AGGGGCUGCAGGGACAAACAUCGTT  215 AACGAUGUUUGUCCCUGCA  668
    AS668-M1 GCCCCUAC
    S216- GGGGCUGCAGGGACAAACAUCGUTG  216 CAACGAUGUUUGUCCCUGC  669
    AS669-M1 AGCCCCUA
    S217- GGGCUGCAGGGACAAACAUUGUUGG  217 CCAACAAUGUUUGUCCCUG  670
    AS670-M1 CAGCCCCU
    S218- GGCUGCAGGGACAAACAUCUUUGGG  218 CCCAAAGAUGUUUGUCCCU  671
    AS671-M1 GCAGCCCC
    S219- GGGGUGAGUGUGAAAGGUGUUGATG  219 CAUCAACACCUUUCACACU  672
    AS672-M1 CACCCCCC
    S220- GGGUGAGUGUGAAAGGUGCUGAUGG  220 CCAUCAGCACCUUUCACAC  673
    AS673-M1 UCACCCCC
    S221- GGUGAGUGUGAAAGGUGCUUAUGGC  221 GCCAUAAGCACCUUUCACA  674
    AS674-M1 CUCACCCC
    S222- GUGAGUGUGAAAGGUGCUGAUGGCC  222 GGCCAUCAGCACCUUUCAC  675
    AS675-M1 ACUCACCC
    S223- UGAGUGUGAAAGGUGCUGAUGGCCC  223 GGGCCAUCAGCACCUUUCA  676
    AS676-M1 CACUCACC
    S224- GAGUGUGAAAGGUGCUGAUUGCCCT  224 AGGGCAAUCAGCACCUUUC  677
    AS677-M1 ACACUCAC
    S225- AGUGUGAAAGGUGCUGAUGUCCCTC  225 GAGGGACAUCAGCACCUUU  678
    AS678-M1 CACACUCA
    S226- GUGUGAAAGGUGCUGAUGGUCCUCA  226 UGAGGACCAUCAGCACCUU  679
    AS679-M1 UCACACUC
    S227- UGUGAAAGGUGCUGAUGGCUCUCAT  227 AUGAGAGCCAUCAGCACCU  680
    AS680-M1 UUCACACU
    S228- GUGAAAGGUGCUGAUGGCCUUCATC  228 GAUGAAGGCCAUCAGCACC  681
    AS681-M1 UUUCACAC
    S229- UGAAAGGUGCUGAUGGCCCUCAUCT  229 AGAUGAGGGCCAUCAGCAC  682
    AS682-M1 CUUUCACA
    S230- GAAAGGUGCUGAUGGCCCUUAUCTC  230 GAGAUAAGGGCCAUCAGCA  683
    AS683-M1 CCUUUCAC
    S231- CUCAUCUCCAGCUAACUGUUGAGAA  231 UUCUCAACAGUUAGCUGGA  684
    AS684-M1 GAUGAGGG
    S232- CCAGCUAACUGUGGAGAAGUCCCTG  232 CAGGGACUUCUCCACAGUU  685
    AS685-M1 AGCUGGAG
    S233- CAGCUAACUGUGGAGAAGCUCCUGG  233 CCAGGAGCUUCUCCACAGU  686
    AS686-M1 UAGCUGGA
    S234- AGCUAACUGUGGAGAAGCCUCUGGG  234 CCCAGAGGCUUCUCCACAG  687
    AS687-M1 UUAGCUGG
    S235- GCUAACUGUGGAGAAGCCCUUGGGG  235 CCCCAAGGGCUUCUCCACA  688
    AS688-M1 GUUAGCUG
    S236- GGGCUCCCUGAUUAAUGGAUGCUTA  236 UAAGCAUCCAUUAAUCAGG  689
    AS689-M1 GAGCCCCC
    S237- AUGGAGGCUUAGCUUUCUGUAUGGC  237 GCCAUACAGAAAGCUAAGC  690
    AS690-M1 CUCCAUUA
    S238- UGGAGGCUUAGCUUUCUGGAUGGCA  238 UGCCAUCCAGAAAGCUAAG  691
    AS691-M1 CCUCCAUU
    S239- GGAGGCUUAGCUUUCUGGAUGGCAT  239 AUGCCAUCCAGAAAGCUAA  692
    AS692-M1 GCCUCCAU
    S240- GAGGCUUAGCUUUCUGGAUUGCATC  240 GAUGCAAUCCAGAAAGCUA  693
    AS693-M1 AGCCUCCA
    S241- AGGCUUAGCUUUCUGGAUGUCAUCT  241 AGAUGACAUCCAGAAAGCU  694
    AS694-M1 AAGCCUCC
    S242- GGCUUAGCUUUCUGGAUGGUAUCTA  242 UAGAUACCAUCCAGAAAGC  695
    AS695-M1 UAAGCCUC
    S243- GCUUAGCUUUCUGGAUGGCAUCUAG  243 CUAGAUGCCAUCCAGAAAG  696
    AS696-M1 CUAAGCCU
    S244- GACAGGUGCGCCCCUGGUGUUCACA  244 UGUGAACACCAGGGGCGCA  697
    AS697-M1 CCUGUCUC
    S245- GCGCCCCUGGUGGUCACAGUCUGTG  245 CACAGACUGUGACCACCAG  698
    AS698-M1 GGGCGCAC
    S246- CCCCUGGUGGUCACAGGCUUUGCCT  246 AGGCAAAGCCUGUGACCAC  699
    AS699-M1 CAGGGGCG
    S247- CCCUGGUGGUCACAGGCUGUGCCTT  247 AAGGCACAGCCUGUGACCA  700
    AS700-M1 CCAGGGGC
    S248- GUGGUCACAGGCUGUGCCUUGGUTT  248 AAACCAAGGCACAGCCUGU  701
    AS701-M1 GACCACCA
    S249- UGGUCACAGGCUGUGCCUUUGUUTC  249 GAAACAAAGGCACAGCCUG  702
    AS702-M1 UGACCACC
    S250- GGUCACAGGCUGUGCCUUGUUUUCC  250 GGAAAACAAGGCACAGCCU  703
    AS703-M1 GUGACCAC
    S251- GUCACAGGCUGUGCCUUGGUUUCCT  251 AGGAAACCAAGGCACAGCC  704
    AS704-M1 UGUGACCA
    S252- GGCUGUGCCUUGGUUUCCUUAGCCA  252 UGGCUAAGGAAACCAAGGC  705
    AS705-M1 ACAGCCUG
    S253- GCUGUGCCUUGGUUUCCUGAGCCAC  253 GUGGCUCAGGAAACCAAGG  706
    AS706-M1 CACAGCCU
    S254- CUGUGCCUUGGUUUCCUGAUCCACC  254 GGUGGAUCAGGAAACCAAG  707
    AS707-M1 GCACAGCC
    S255- UGUGCCUUGGUUUCCUGAGUCACCT  255 AGGUGACUCAGGAAACCAA  708
    AS708-M1 GGCACAGC
    S256- GUGCCUUGGUUUCCUGAGCUACCTT  256 AAGGUAGCUCAGGAAACCA  709
    AS709-M1 AGGCACAG
    S257- UGCCUUGGUUUCCUGAGCCACCUTT  257 AAAGGUGGCUCAGGAAACC  710
    AS710-M1 AAGGCACA
    S258- GCCUUGGUUUCCUGAGCCAUCUUTA  258 UAAAGAUGGCUCAGGAAAC  711
    AS711-M1 CAAGGCAC
    S259- CCUUGGUUUCCUGAGCCACUUUUAC  259 GUAAAAGUGGCUCAGGAAA  712
    AS712-M1 CCAAGGCA
    S260- CUUGGUUUCCUGAGCCACCUUUACT  260 AGUAAAGGUGGCUCAGGAA  713
    AS713-M1 ACCAAGGC
    S261- UUGGUUUCCUGAGCCACCUUUACTC  261 GAGUAAAGGUGGCUCAGGA  714
    AS714-M1 AACCAAGG
    S262- UGGUUUCCUGAGCCACCUUUACUCT  262 AGAGUAAAGGUGGCUCAGG  715
    AS715-M1 AAACCAAG
    S263- GGUUUCCUGAGCCACCUUUACUCTG  263 CAGAGUAAAGGUGGCUCAG  716
    AS716-M1 GAAACCAA
    S264- GUUUCCUGAGCCACCUUUAUUCUGC  264 GCAGAAUAAAGGUGGCUCA  717
    AS717-M1 GGAAACCA
    S265- CUGAGCCACCUUUACUCUGUUCUAT  265 AUAGAACAGAGUAAAGGUG  718
    AS718-M1 GCUCAGGA
    S266- CCAGGCUGUGCUAGCAACAUCCAAA  266 UUUGGAUGUUGCUAGCACA  719
    AS719-M1 GCCUGGCA
    S267- CUGCGGGGAGCCAUCACCUAGGACT  267 AGUCCUAGGUGAUGGCUCC  720
    AS720-M1 CCGCAGGC
    S268- UGCGGGGAGCCAUCACCUAUGACTG  268 CAGUCAUAGGUGAUGGCUC  721
    AS721-M1 CCCGCAGG
    S269- GCGGGGAGCCAUCACCUAGUACUGA  269 UCAGUACUAGGUGAUGGCU  722
    AS722-M1 CCCCGCAG
    S270- CGGGGAGCCAUCACCUAGGACUGAC  270 GUCAGUCCUAGGUGAUGGC  723
    AS723-M1 UCCCCGCA
    S271- GGGGAGCCAUCACCUAGGAUUGACT  271 AGUCAAUCCUAGGUGAUGG  724
    AS724-M1 CUCCCCGC
    S272- GCCAUCACCUAGGACUGACUCGGCA  272 UGCCGAGUCAGUCCUAGGU  725
    AS725-M1 GAUGGCUC
    S273- CCAUCACCUAGGACUGACUUGGCAG  273 CUGCCAAGUCAGUCCUAGG  726
    AS726-M1 UGAUGGCU
    S274- CAUCACCUAGGACUGACUCUGCAGT  274 ACUGCAGAGUCAGUCCUAG  727
    AS727-M1 GUGAUGGC
    S275- CUAGGACUGACUCGGCAGUUUGCAG  275 CUGCAAACUGCCGAGUCAG  728
    AS728-M1 UCCUAGGU
    S276- UGACUCGGCAGUGUGCAGUUGUGCA  276 UGCACAACUGCACACUGCC  729
    AS729-M1 GAGUCAGU
    S277- GACUCGGCAGUGUGCAGUGUUGCAT  277 AUGCAACACUGCACACUGC  730
    AS730-M1 CGAGUCAG
    S278- CUCGGCAGUGUGCAGUGGUUCAUGC  278 GCAUGAACCACUGCACACU  731
    AS731-M1 GCCGAGUC
    S279- UCGGCAGUGUGCAGUGGUGUAUGCA  279 UGCAUACACCACUGCACAC  732
    AS732-M1 UGCCGAGU
    S280- CGGCAGUGUGCAGUGGUGCAUGCAC  280 GUGCAUGCACCACUGCACA  733
    AS733-M1 CUGCCGAG
    S281- GUGUGCAGUGGUGCAUGCAUUGUCT  281 AGACAAUGCAUGCACCACU  734
    AS734-M1 GCACACUG
    S282- UGUGCAGUGGUGCAUGCACUGUCTC  282 GAGACAGUGCAUGCACCAC  735
    AS735-M1 UGCACACU
    S283- GUGCAGUGGUGCAUGCACUUUCUCA  283 UGAGAAAGUGCAUGCACCA  736
    AS736-M1 CUGCACAC
    S284- UGCAGUGGUGCAUGCACUGUCUCAG  284 CUGAGACAGUGCAUGCACC  737
    AS737-M1 ACUGCACA
    S285- GCAGUGGUGCAUGCACUGUUUCAGC  285 GCUGAAACAGUGCAUGCAC  738
    AS738-M1 CACUGCAC
    S286- CAGUGGUGCAUGCACUGUCUCAGCC  286 GGCUGAGACAGUGCAUGCA  739
    AS739-M1 CCACUGCA
    S287- AGUGGUGCAUGCACUGUCUUAGCCA  287 UGGCUAAGACAGUGCAUGC  740
    AS740-M1 ACCACUGC
    S288- UGCAUGCACUGUCUCAGCCAACCCG  288 CGGGUUGGCUGAGACAGUG  741
    AS741-M1 CAUGCACC
    S289- GCAUGCACUGUCUCAGCCAACCCGC  289 GCGGGUUGGCUGAGACAGU  742
    AS742-M1 GCAUGCAC
    S290- CAUUCGCACCCCUACUUCAUAGAGG  290 CCUCUAUGAAGUAGGGGUG  743
    AS743-M1 CGAAUGUG
    S291- AUUCGCACCCCUACUUCACAGAGGA  291 UCCUCUGUGAAGUAGGGGU  744
    AS744-M1 GCGAAUGU
    S292- UUCGCACCCCUACUUCACAUAGGAA  292 UUCCUAUGUGAAGUAGGGG  745
    AS745-M1 UGCGAAUG
    S293- UCGCACCCCUACUUCACAGAGGAAG  293 CUUCCUCUGUGAAGUAGGG  746
    AS746-M1 GUGCGAAU
    S294- CGCACCCCUACUUCACAGAUGAAGA  294 UCUUCAUCUGUGAAGUAGG  747
    AS747-M1 GGUGCGAA
    S295- GCACCCCUACUUCACAGAGUAAGAA  295 UUCUUACUCUGUGAAGUAG  748
    AS748-M1 GGGUGCGA
    S296- CACCCCUACUUCACAGAGGAAGAAA  296 UUUCUUCCUCUGUGAAGUA  749
    AS749-M1 GGGGUGCG
    S297- ACCCCUACUUCACAGAGGAAGAAAC  297 GUUUCUUCCUCUGUGAAGU  750
    AS750-M1 AGGGGUGC
    S298- CCCCUACUUCACAGAGGAAUAAACC  298 GGUUUAUUCCUCUGUGAAG  751
    AS751-M1 UAGGGGUG
    S299- CCCUACUUCACAGAGGAAGAAACCT  299 AGGUUUCUUCCUCUGUGAA  752
    AS752-M1 GUAGGGGU
    S300- CUUCACAGAGGAAGAAACCUGGAAC  300 GUUCCAGGUUUCUUCCUCU  753
    AS753-M1 GUGAAGUA
    S301- UUCACAGAGGAAGAAACCUUGAACC  301 GGUUCAAGGUUUCUUCCUC  754
    AS754-M1 UGUGAAGU
    S302- UCACAGAGGAAGAAACCUGUAACCA  302 UGGUUACAGGUUUCUUCCU  755
    AS755-M1 CUGUGAAG
    S303- CACAGAGGAAGAAACCUGGAACCAG  303 CUGGUUCCAGGUUUCUUCC  756
    AS756-M1 UCUGUGAA
    S304- ACAGAGGAAGAAACCUGGAACCAGA  304 UCUGGUUCCAGGUUUCUUC  757
    AS757-M1 CUCUGUGA
    S305- CAGAGGAAGAAACCUGGAAUCAGAG  305 CUCUGAUUCCAGGUUUCUU  758
    AS758-M1 CCUCUGUG
    S306- AGAGGAAGAAACCUGGAACUAGAGG  306 CCUCUAGUUCCAGGUUUCU  759
    AS759-M1 UCCUCUGU
    S307- GAGGAAGAAACCUGGAACCAGAGGG  307 CCCUCUGGUUCCAGGUUUC  760
    AS760-M1 UUCCUCUG
    S308- AGGAAGAAACCUGGAACCAUAGGGG  308 CCCCUAUGGUUCCAGGUUU  761
    AS761-M1 CUUCCUCU
    S309- GCAGAUUGGGCUGGCUCUGAAGCCA  309 UGGCUUCAGAGCCAGCCCA  762
    AS762-M1 AUCUGCGU
    S310- CAGAUUGGGCUGGCUCUGAAGCCAA  310 UUGGCUUCAGAGCCAGCCC  763
    AS763-M1 AAUCUGCG
    S311- AGAUUGGGCUGGCUCUGAAUCCAAG  311 CUUGGAUUCAGAGCCAGCC  764
    AS764-M1 CAAUCUGC
    S312- UGGGCUGGCUCUGAAGCCAAGCCTC  312 GAGGCUUGGCUUCAGAGCC  765
    AS765-M1 AGCCCAAU
    S313- GGGCUGGCUCUGAAGCCAAUCCUCT  313 AGAGGAUUGGCUUCAGAGC  766
    AS766-M1 CAGCCCAA
    S314- GAAGCCAAGCCUCUUCUUAUUUCAC  314 GUGAAAUAAGAAGAGGCUU  767
    AS767-M1 GGCUUCAG
    S315- AAGCCUCUUCUUACUUCACUCGGCT  315 AGCCGAGUGAAGUAAGAAG  768
    AS768-M1 AGGCUUGG
    S316- AGCCUCUUCUUACUUCACCUGGCTG  316 CAGCCAGGUGAAGUAAGAA  769
    AS769-M1 GAGGCUUG
    S317- GCCUCUUCUUACUUCACCCUGCUGG  317 CCAGCAGGGUGAAGUAAGA  770
    AS770-M1 AGAGGCUU
    S318- CCCGGCUGGGCUCCUCAUUUUUACG  318 CGUAAAAAUGAGGAGCCCA  771
    AS771-M1 GCCGGGUG
    S319- CCGGCUGGGCUCCUCAUUUUUACGG  319 CCGUAAAAAUGAGGAGCCC  772
    AS772-M1 AGCCGGGU
    S320- CGGCUGGGCUCCUCAUUUUUACGGG  320 CCCGUAAAAAUGAGGAGCC  773
    AS773-M1 CAGCCGGG
    S321- GGCUGGGCUCCUCAUUUUUACGGGT  321 ACCCGUAAAAAUGAGGAGC  774
    AS774-M1 CCAGCCGG
    S322- GCUGGGCUCCUCAUUUUUAUGGGTA  322 UACCCAUAAAAAUGAGGAG  775
    AS775-M1 CCCAGCCG
    S323- ACGGGUAACAGUGAGGCUGUGAAGG  323 CCUUCACAGCCUCACUGUU  776
    AS776-M1 ACCCGUAA
    S324- AGCUCGGUGAGUGAUGGCAUAACGA  324 UCGUUAUGCCAUCACUCAC  777
    AS777-M1 CGAGCUUC
    S325- GCUCGGUGAGUGAUGGCAGAACGAT  325 AUCGUUCUGCCAUCACUCA  778
    AS778-M1 CCGAGCUU
    S326- CUCGGUGAGUGAUGGCAGAACGATG  326 CAUCGUUCUGCCAUCACUC  779
    AS779-M1 ACCGAGCU
    S327- UCGGUGAGUGAUGGCAGAAUGAUGC  327 GCAUCAUUCUGCCAUCACU  780
    AS780-M1 CACCGAGC
    S328- CGGUGAGUGAUGGCAGAACUAUGCC  328 GGCAUAGUUCUGCCAUCAC  781
    AS781-M1 UCACCGAG
    S329- AUGCCUGCAGGCAUGGAACUUUUTC  329 GAAAAAGUUCCAUGCCUGC  782
    AS782-M1 AGGCAUCG
    S330- UGCCUGCAGGCAUGGAACUUUUUCC  330 GGAAAAAGUUCCAUGCCUG  783
    AS783-M1 CAGGCAUC
    S331- GCCUGCAGGCAUGGAACUUUUUCCG  331 CGGAAAAAGUUCCAUGCCU  784
    AS784-M1 GCAGGCAU
    S332- CCUGCAGGCAUGGAACUUUUUCCGT  332 ACGGAAAAAGUUCCAUGCC  785
    AS785-M1 UGCAGGCA
    S333- CUGCAGGCAUGGAACUUUUUCCGTT  333 AACGGAAAAAGUUCCAUGC  786
    AS786-M1 CUGCAGGC
    S334- AUGGAACUUUUUCCGUUAUUACCCA  334 UGGGUAAUAACGGAAAAAG  787
    AS787-M1 UUCCAUGC
    S335- UUUUUCCGUUAUCACCCAGUCCUGA  335 UCAGGACUGGGUGAUAACG  788
    AS788-M1 GAAAAAGU
    S336- UUUUCCGUUAUCACCCAGGUCUGAT  336 AUCAGACCUGGGUGAUAAC  789
    AS789-M1 GGAAAAAG
    S337- UUUCCGUUAUCACCCAGGCUUGATT  337 AAUCAAGCCUGGGUGAUAA  790
    AS790-M1 CGGAAAAA
    S338- UUCCGUUAUCACCCAGGCCUGAUTC  338 GAAUCAGGCCUGGGUGAUA  791
    AS791-M1 ACGGAAAA
    S339- UCCGUUAUCACCCAGGCCUUAUUCA  339 UGAAUAAGGCCUGGGUGAU  792
    AS792-M1 AACGGAAA
    S340- CCGUUAUCACCCAGGCCUGAUUCAC  340 GUGAAUCAGGCCUGGGUGA  793
    AS793-M1 UAACGGAA
    S341- CGUUAUCACCCAGGCCUGAUUCACT  341 AGUGAAUCAGGCCUGGGUG  794
    AS794-M1 AUAACGGA
    S342- CACCCAGGCCUGAUUCACUUGCCTG  342 CAGGCAAGUGAAUCAGGCC  795
    AS795-M1 UGGGUGAU
    S343- ACCCAGGCCUGAUUCACUGUCCUGG  343 CCAGGACAGUGAAUCAGGC  796
    AS796-M1 CUGGGUGA
    S344- UGGCCUGGCGGAGAUGCUUUUAAGG  344 CCUUAAAAGCAUCUCCGCC  797
    AS797-M1 AGGCCAGU
    S345- GGCCUGGCGGAGAUGCUUCUAAGGC  345 GCCUUAGAAGCAUCUCCGC  798
    AS798-M1 CAGGCCAG
    S346- GCCUGGCGGAGAUGCUUCUAAGGCA  346 UGCCUUAGAAGCAUCUCCG  799
    AS799-M1 CCAGGCCA
    S347- CCUGGCGGAGAUGCUUCUAAGGCAT  347 AUGCCUUAGAAGCAUCUCC  800
    AS800-M1 GCCAGGCC
    S348- CUGGCGGAGAUGCUUCUAAUGCATG  348 CAUGCAUUAGAAGCAUCUC  801
    AS801-M1 CGCCAGGC
    S349- UGGCGGAGAUGCUUCUAAGUCAUGG  349 CCAUGACUUAGAAGCAUCU  802
    AS802-M1 CCGCCAGG
    S350- GGCGGAGAUGCUUCUAAGGUAUGGT  350 ACCAUACCUUAGAAGCAUC  803
    AS803-M1 UCCGCCAG
    S351- GCGGAGAUGCUUCUAAGGCAUGGTC  351 GACCAUGCCUUAGAAGCAU  804
    AS804-M1 CUCCGCCA
    S352- CGGAGAUGCUUCUAAGGCAUGGUCG  352 CGACCAUGCCUUAGAAGCA  805
    AS805-M1 UCUCCGCC
    S353- GGAGAUGCUUCUAAGGCAUUGUCGG  353 CCGACAAUGCCUUAGAAGC  806
    AS806-M1 AUCUCCGC
    S354- GAGAUGCUUCUAAGGCAUGUUCGGG  354 CCCGAACAUGCCUUAGAAG  807
    AS807-M1 CAUCUCCG
    S355- GGAGAGGGCCAACAACUGUUCCUCC  355 GGAGGAACAGUUGUUGGCC  808
    AS808-M1 CUCUCCCC
    S356- GCCAACAACUGUCCCUCCUUGAGCA  356 UGCUCAAGGAGGGACAGUU  809
    AS809-M1 GUUGGCCC
    S357- CCAACAACUGUCCCUCCUUUAGCAC  357 GUGCUAAAGGAGGGACAGU  810
    AS810-M1 UGUUGGCC
    S358- UUGAGCACCAGCCCCACCCAAGCAA  358 UUGCUUGGGUGGGGCUGGU  811
    AS811-M1 GCUCAAGG
    S359- UGAGCACCAGCCCCACCCAAGCAAG  359 CUUGCUUGGGUGGGGCUGG  812
    AS812-M1 UGCUCAAG
    S360- GAGCACCAGCCCCACCCAAUCAAGC  360 GCUUGAUUGGGUGGGGCUG  813
    AS813-M1 GUGCUCAA
    S361- AGCACCAGCCCCACCCAAGUAAGCA  361 UGCUUACUUGGGUGGGGCU  814
    AS814-M1 GGUGCUCA
    S362- ACCCAAGCAAGCAGACAUUUAUCTT  362 AAGAUAAAUGUCUGCUUGC  815
    AS815-M1 UUGGGUGG
    S363- CCCAAGCAAGCAGACAUUUAUCUTT  363 AAAGAUAAAUGUCUGCUUG  816
    AS816-M1 CUUGGGUG
    S364- CCAAGCAAGCAGACAUUUAUCUUTT  364 AAAAGAUAAAUGUCUGCUU  817
    AS817-M1 GCUUGGGU
    S365- CAAGCAAGCAGACAUUUAUUUUUTG  365 CAAAAAAUAAAUGUCUGCU  818
    AS818-M1 UGCUUGGG
    S366- AAGCAAGCAGACAUUUAUCUUUUGG  366 CCAAAAGAUAAAUGUCUGC  819
    AS819-M1 UUGCUUGG
    S367- AGCAAGCAGACAUUUAUCUUUUGGG  367 CCCAAAAGAUAAAUGUCUG  820
    AS820-M1 CUUGCUUG
    S368- GCAAGCAGACAUUUAUCUUUUGGGT  368 ACCCAAAAGAUAAAUGUCU  821
    AS821-M1 GCUUGCUU
    S369- AAGCAGACAUUUAUCUUUUUGGUCT  369 AGACCAAAAAGAUAAAUGU  822
    AS822-M1 CUGCUUGC
    S370- AGCAGACAUUUAUCUUUUGUGUCTG  370 CAGACACAAAAGAUAAAUG  823
    AS823-M1 UCUGCUUG
    S371- GCAGACAUUUAUCUUUUGGUUCUGT  371 ACAGAACCAAAAGAUAAAU  824
    AS824-M1 GUCUGCUU
    S372- UGUUGCCUUUUUACAGCCAACUUTT  372 AAAAGUUGGCUGUAAAAAG  825
    AS825-M1 GCAACAGA
    S373- GUUGCCUUUUUACAGCCAAUUUUTC  373 GAAAAAUUGGCUGUAAAAA  826
    AS826-M1 GGCAACAG
    S374- UUUACAGCCAACUUUUCUAUACCTG  374 CAGGUAUAGAAAAGUUGGC  827
    AS827-M1 UGUAAAAA
    S375- UUACAGCCAACUUUUCUAGACCUGT  375 ACAGGUCUAGAAAAGUUGG  828
    AS828-M1 CUGUAAAA
    S376- UUUUCUAGACCUGUUUUGCUUUUGT  376 ACAAAAGCAAAACAGGUCU  829
    AS829-M1 AGAAAAGU
    S377- UUUCUAGACCUGUUUUGCUUUUGTA  377 UACAAAAGCAAAACAGGUC  830
    AS830-M1 UAGAAAAG
    S378- UUCUAGACCUGUUUUGCUUUUGUAA  378 UUACAAAAGCAAAACAGGU  831
    AS831-M1 CUAGAAAA
    S379- UCUAGACCUGUUUUGCUUUUGUAAC  379 GUUACAAAAGCAAAACAGG  832
    AS832-M1 UCUAGAAA
    S380- CUAGACCUGUUUUGCUUUUUUAACT  380 AGUUAAAAAAGCAAAACAG  833
    AS833-M1 GUCUAGAA
    S381- UAGACCUGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACTT  381 AAGUUACAAAAGCAAAACA  834
    AS834-M1 GGUCUAGA
    S382- AGACCUGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUTG  382 CAAGUUACAAAAGCAAAAC  835
    AS835-M1 AGGUCUAG
    S383- GACCUGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUUGA  383 UCAAGUUACAAAAGCAAAA  836
    AS836-M1 CAGGUCUA
    S384- ACCUGUUUUGCUUUUGUAAUUUGAA  384 UUCAAAUUACAAAAGCAAA  837
    AS837-M1 ACAGGUCU
    S385- CCUGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUUGAAG  385 CUUCAAGUUACAAAAGCAA  838
    AS838-M1 AACAGGUC
    5386- CUGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUUGAAGA  386 UCUUCAAGUUACAAAAGCA  839
    AS839-M1 AAACAGGU
    S387- UGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUUUAAGAT  387 AUCUUAAAGUUACAAAAGC  840
    AS840-M1 AAAACAGG
    S388- GUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUUGAAGATA  388 UAUCUUCAAGUUACAAAAG  841
    AS841-M1 CAAAACAG
    S389- UUUUGCUUUUGUAACUUGAAGAUAT  389 AUAUCUUCAAGUUACAAAA  842
    AS842-M1 GCAAAACA
    S390- UUUGCUUUUGUAACUUGAAUAUATT  390 AAUAUAUUCAAGUUACAAA  843
    AS843-M1 AGCAAAAC
    S391- UUGCUUUUGUAACUUGAAGAUAUTT  391 AAAUAUCUUCAAGUUACAA  844
    AS844-M1 AAGCAAAA
    S392- UGCUUUUGUAACUUGAAGAUAUUTA  392 UAAAUAUCUUCAAGUUACA  845
    AS845-M1 AAAGCAAA
    S393- GCUUUUGUAACUUGAAGAUAUUUAT  393 AUAAAUAUCUUCAAGUUAC  846
    AS846-M1 AAAAGCAA
    S394- CUUUUGUAACUUGAAGAUAUUUATT  394 AAUAAAUAUCUUCAAGUUA  847
    AS847-M1 CAAAAGCA
    S395- UUUUGUAACUUGAAGAUAUUUAUTC  395 GAAUAAAUAUCUUCAAGUU  848
    AS848-M1 ACAAAAGC
    S396- UUUGUAACUUGAAGAUAUUUAUUCT  396 AGAAUAAAUAUCUUCAAGU  849
    AS849-M1 UACAAAAG
    S397- UUGUAACUUGAAGAUAUUUAUUCTG  397 CAGAAUAAAUAUCUUCAAG  850
    AS850-M1 UUACAAAA
    S398- UGUAACUUGAAGAUAUUUAUUCUGG  398 CCAGAAUAAAUAUCUUCAA  851
    AS851-M1 GUUACAAA
    S399- GUAACUUGAAGAUAUUUAUUCUGGG  399 CCCAGAAUAAAUAUCUUCA  852
    AS852-M1 AGUUACAA
    S400- UAACUUGAAGAUAUUUAUUUUGGGT  400 ACCCAAAAUAAAUAUCUUC  853
    AS853-M1 AAGUUACA
    S401- ACUUGAAGAUAUUUAUUCUUGGUTT  401 AAACCAAGAAUAAAUAUCU  854
    AS854-M1 UCAAGUUA
    S402- CUUGAAGAUAUUUAUUCUGUGUUTT  402 AAAACACAGAAUAAAUAUC  855
    AS855-M1 UUCAAGUU
    S403- UUGAAGAUAUUUAUUCUGGUUUUTG  403 CAAAAACCAGAAUAAAUAU  856
    AS856-M1 CUUCAAGU
    S404- GAAGAUAUUUAUUCUGGGUUUUGTA  404 UACAAAACCCAGAAUAAAU  857
    AS857-M1 AUCUUCAA
    S405- AAGAUAUUUAUUCUGGGUUUUGUAG  405 CUACAAAACCCAGAAUAAA  858
    AS858-M1 UAUCUUCA
    S406- AUAUUUAUUCUGGGUUUUGUAGCAT  406 AUGCUACAAAACCCAGAAU  859
    AS859-M1 AAAUAUCU
    S407- UAUUUAUUCUGGGUUUUGUAGCATT  407 AAUGCUACAAAACCCAGAA  860
    AS860-M1 UAAAUAUC
    S408- AUUUAUUCUGGGUUUUGUAUCAUTT  408 AAAUGAUACAAAACCCAGA  861
    AS861-M1 AUAAAUAU
    S409- UUUAUUCUGGGUUUUGUAGUAUUTT  409 AAAAUACUACAAAACCCAG  862
    AS862-M1 AAUAAAUA
    S410- AUUCUGGGUUUUGUAGCAUUUUUAT  410 AUAAAAAUGCUACAAAACC  863
    AS863-M1 CAGAAUAA
    S411- UUCUGGGUUUUGUAGCAUUUUUATT  411 AAUAAAAAUGCUACAAAAC  864
    AS864-M1 CCAGAAUA
    S412- UCUGGGUUUUGUAGCAUUUUUAUTA  412 UAAUAAAAAUGCUACAAAA  865
    AS865-M1 CCCAGAAU
    S413- CUGGGUUUUGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAA  413 UUAAUAAAAAUGCUACAAA  866
    AS866-M1 ACCCAGAA
    S414- UGGGUUUUGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAT  414 AUUAAUAAAAAUGCUACAA  867
    AS867-M1 AACCCAGA
    S415- GGGUUUUGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAATA  415 UAUUAAUAAAAAUGCUACA  868
    AS868-M1 AAACCCAG
    S416- GGUUUUGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUAT  416 AUAUUAAUAAAAAUGCUAC  869
    AS869-M1 AAAACCCA
    S417- GUUUUGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUATG  417 CAUAUUAAUAAAAAUGCUA  870
    AS870-M1 CAAAACCC
    S418- UUUUGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUAUGG  418 CCAUAUUAAUAAAAAUGCU  871
    AS871-M1 ACAAAACC
    S419- UUUGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUAUGGT  419 ACCAUAUUAAUAAAAAUGC  872
    AS872-M1 UACAAAAC
    S420- UUGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUAUGGTG  420 CACCAUAUUAAUAAAAAUG  873
    AS873-M1 CUACAAAA
    S421- UGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUAUGGUGA  421 UCACCAUAUUAAUAAAAAU  874
    AS874-M1 GCUACAAA
    S422- GUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUAUUGUGAC  422 GUCACAAUAUUAAUAAAAA  875
    AS875-M1 UGCUACAA
    S423- UAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUAUGUUGACT  423 AGUCAACAUAUUAAUAAAA  876
    AS876-M1 AUGCUACA
    S424- AGCAUUUUUAUUAAUAUGGUGACTT  424 AAGUCACCAUAUUAAUAAA  877
    AS877-M1 AAUGCUAC
    S425- GCAUUUUUAUUAAUAUGGUUACUTT  425 AAAGUAACCAUAUUAAUAA  878
    AS878-M1 AAAUGCUA
    S426- CAUUUUUAUUAAUAUGGUGACUUTT  426 AAAAGUCACCAUAUUAAUA  879
    AS879-M1 AAAAUGCU
    S427- AUUUUUAUUAAUAUGGUGAUUUUTT  427 AAAAAAUCACCAUAUUAAU  880
    AS880-M1 AAAAAUGC
    S428- UUUUUAUUAAUAUGGUGACUUUUTA  428 UAAAAAGUCACCAUAUUAA  881
    AS881-M1 UAAAAAUG
    S429- UUUUAUUAAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAA  429 UUAAAAAGUCACCAUAUUA  882
    AS882-M1 AUAAAAAU
    S430- UUUAUUAAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAA  430 UUUAAAAAGUCACCAUAUU  883
    AS883-M1 AAUAAAAA
    S431- UUAUUAAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAA  431 UUUUAAAAAGUCACCAUAU  884
    AS884-M1 UAAUAAAA
    S432- UAUUAAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAT  432 AUUUUAAAAAGUCACCAUA  885
    AS885-M1 UUAAUAAA
    S433- AUUAAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAATA  433 UAUUUUAAAAAGUCACCAU  886
    AS886-M1 AUUAAUAA
    S434- UUAAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAA  434 UUAUUUUAAAAAGUCACCA  887
    AS887-M1 UAUUAAUA
    S435- UAAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAA  435 UUUAUUUUAAAAAGUCACC  888
    AS888-M1 AUAUUAAU
    S436- AAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAAA  436 UUUUAUUUUAAAAAGUCAC  889
    AS889-M1 CAUAUUAA
    S437- AUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAAAA  437 UUUUUAUUUUAAAAAGUCA  890
    AS890-M1 CCAUAUUA
    S438- UAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAAAAC  438 GUUUUUAUUUUAAAAAGUC  891
    AS891-M1 ACCAUAUU
    S439- AUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAAAACA  439 UGUUUUUAUUUUAAAAAGU  892
    AS892-M1 CACCAUAU
    S440- UGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAAAACAA  440 UUGUUUUUAUUUUAAAAAG  893
    AS893-M1 UCACCAUA
    S441- GGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAAAACAAA  441 UUUGUUUUUAUUUUAAAAA  894
    AS894-M1 GUCACCAU
    S442- GUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAAAACAAAC  442 GUUUGUUUUUAUUUUAAAA  895
    AS895-M1 AGUCACCA
    S443- UGACUUUUUAAAAUAAAAAUAAACA  443 UGUUUAUUUUUAUUUUAAA  896
    AS896-M1 AAGUCACC
    S444- GACUUUUUAAAAUAAAAACAAACAA  444 UUGUUUGUUUUUAUUUUAA  897
    AS897-M1 AAAGUCAC
    S445- ACUUUUUAAAAUAAAAACAAACAAA  445 UUUGUUUGUUUUUAUUUUA  898
    AS898-M1 AAAAGUCA
    S446- UUUUAAAAUAAAAACAAACAAACGT  446 ACGUUUGUUUGUUUUUAUU  899
    AS899-M1 UUAAAAAG
    S447- UUUAAAAUAAAAACAAACAAACGTT  447 AACGUUUGUUUGUUUUUAU  900
    AS900-M1 UUUAAAAA
    S448- UUAAAAUAAAAACAAACAAACGUTG  448 CAACGUUUGUUUGUUUUUA  901
    AS901-M1 UUUUAAAA
    S449- UAAAAUAAAAACAAACAAAUGUUGT  449 ACAACAUUUGUUUGUUUUU  902
    AS902-M1 AUUUUAAA
    S450- AAAAACAAACAAACGUUGUUCUAAC  450 GUUAGAACAACGUUUGUUU  903
    AS903-M1 GUUUUUAU
    S451- CAAACAAACGUUGUCCUAAUAAAAA  451 UUUUUAUUAGGACAACGUU  904
    AS904-M1 UGUUUGUU
    S452- AAACAAACGUUGUCCUAACAAAAAA  452 UUUUUUGUUAGGACAACGU  905
    AS905-M1 UUGUUUGU
    S453- AACAAACGUUGUCCUAACAAAAAAA  453 UUUUUUUGUUAGGACAACG  906
    AS906-M1 UUUGUUUG
    S907- CUCCAGGCGGUCCUGGUGGUCGCTG  907 CAGCGACCACCAGGACCGC 1030
    AS1030-M1 CUGGAGCU
    S908- UCCAGGCGGUCCUGGUGGCUGCUGC  908 GCAGCAGCCACCAGGACCG 1031
    AS1031-M1 CCUGGAGC
    S909- GCCGCUGCCACUGCUGCUGUUGCTG  909 CAGCAACAGCAGCAGUGGC 1032
    AS1032-M1 AGCGGCCA
    S910- CCGCUGCCACUGCUGCUGCUGCUGC  910 GCAGCAGCAGCAGCAGUGG 1033
    AS1033-M1 CAGCGGCC
    S911- GCCCGUGCGCAGGAGGACGAGGACG  911 CGUCCUCGUCCUCCUGCGC 1034
    AS1034-M1 ACGGGCGC
    S912- CCCGUGCGCAGGAGGACGAUGACGG  912 CCGUCAUCGUCCUCCUGCG 1035
    AS1035-M1 CACGGGCG
    S913- CCGUGCGCAGGAGGACGAGUACGGC  913 GCCGUACUCGUCCUCCUGC 1036
    AS1036-M1 GCACGGGC
    S914- CGUGCGCAGGAGGACGAGGACGGCG  914 CGCCGUCCUCGUCCUCCUG 1037
    AS1037-M1 CGCACGGG
    S915- GUGCGCAGGAGGACGAGGAUGGCGA  915 UCGCCAUCCUCGUCCUCCU 1038
    AS1038-M1 GCGCACGG
    S916- UGCGCAGGAGGACGAGGACUGCGAC  916 GUCGCAGUCCUCGUCCUCC 1039
    AS1039-M1 UGCGCACG
    S917- GCGCAGGAGGACGAGGACGUCGACT  917 AGUCGACGUCCUCGUCCUC 1040
    AS1040-M1 CUGCGCAC
    S918- GGAGGACGAGGACGGCGACUACGAG  918 CUCGUAGUCGCCGUCCUCG 1041
    AS1041-M1 UCCUCCUG
    S919- GCGUUCCGAGGAGGACGGCUUGGCC  919 GGCCAAGCCGUCCUCCUCG 1042
    AS1042-M1 GAACGCAA
    S920- CGUUCCGAGGAGGACGGCCUGGCCG  920 CGGCCAGGCCGUCCUCCUC 1043
    AS1043-M1 GGAACGCA
    S921- GUUCCGAGGAGGACGGCCUUGCCGA  921 UCGGCAAGGCCGUCCUCCU 1044
    AS1044-M1 CGGAACGC
    S922- UUCCGAGGAGGACGGCCUGUCCGAA  922 UUCGGACAGGCCGUCCUCC 1045
    AS1045-M1 UCGGAACG
    S923- UCCGAGGAGGACGGCCUGGUCGAAG  923 CUUCGACCAGGCCGUCCUC 1046
    AS1046-M1 CUCGGAAC
    S924- CCGAGGAGGACGGCCUGGCUGAAGC  924 GCUUCAGCCAGGCCGUCCU 1047
    AS1047-M1 CCUCGGAA
    S925- CGAGGAGGACGGCCUGGCCUAAGCA  925 UGCUUAGGCCAGGCCGUCC 1048
    AS1048-M1 UCCUCGGA
    S926- GAGGAGGACGGCCUGGCCGAAGCAC  926 GUGCUUCGGCCAGGCCGUC 1049
    AS1049-M1 CUCCUCGG
    S927- GCCACCUUCCACCGCUGCGUCAAGG  927 CCUUGACGCAGCGGUGGAA 1050
    AS1050-M1 GGUGGCUG
    S928- CCACCUUCCACCGCUGCGCUAAGGA  928 UCCUUAGCGCAGCGGUGGA 1051
    AS1051-M1 AGGUGGCU
    S929- CACCUUCCACCGCUGCGCCAAGGAT  929 AUCCUUGGCGCAGCGGUGG 1052
    AS1052-M1 AAGGUGGC
    S930- ACCUUCCACCGCUGCGCCAAGGATC  930 GAUCCUUGGCGCAGCGGUG 1053
    AS1053-M1 GAAGGUGG
    S931- AGCGCACUGCCCGCCGCCUUCAGGC  931 GCCUGAAGGCGGCGGGCAG 1054
    AS1054-M1 UGCGCUCU
    S932- GCGCACUGCCCGCCGCCUGUAGGCC  932 GGCCUACAGGCGGCGGGCA 1055
    AS1055-M1 GUGCGCUC
    S933- CGCACUGCCCGCCGCCUGCAGGCCC  933 GGGCCUGCAGGCGGCGGGC 1056
    AS1056-M1 AGUGCGCU
    S934- GCACUGCCCGCCGCCUGCAUGCCCA  934 UGGGCAUGCAGGCGGCGGG 1057
    AS1057-M1 CAGUGCGC
    S935- CACUGCCCGCCGCCUGCAGUCCCAG  935 CUGGGACUGCAGGCGGCGG 1058
    AS1058-M1 GCAGUGCG
    S936- ACUGCCCGCCGCCUGCAGGUCCAGG  936 CCUGGACCUGCAGGCGGCG 1059
    AS1059-M1 GGCAGUGC
    S937- CUGCCCGCCGCCUGCAGGCUCAGGC  937 GCCUGAGCCUGCAGGCGGC 1060
    AS1060-M1 GGGCAGUG
    S938- UGCCCGCCGCCUGCAGGCCUAGGCT  938 AGCCUAGGCCUGCAGGCGG 1061
    AS1061-M1 CGGGCAGU
    S939- GCCCGCCGCCUGCAGGCCCAGGCTG  939 CAGCCUGGGCCUGCAGGCG 1062
    AS1062-M1 GCGGGCAG
    S940- CCCGCCGCCUGCAGGCCCAUGCUGC  940 GCAGCAUGGGCCUGCAGGC 1063
    AS1063-M1 GGCGGGCA
    S941- UGGCGACCUGCUGGAGCUGUCCUTG  941 CAAGGACAGCUCCAGCAGG 1064
    AS1064-M1 UCGCCACU
    S942- GGCGACCUGCUGGAGCUGGUCUUGA  942 UCAAGACCAGCUCCAGCAG 1065
    AS1065-M1 GUCGCCAC
    S943- GCGACCUGCUGGAGCUGGCUUUGAA  943 UUCAAAGCCAGCUCCAGCA 1066
    AS1066-M1 GGUCGCCA
    S944- CGACCUGCUGGAGCUGGCCUUGAAG  944 CUUCAAGGCCAGCUCCAGC 1067
    AS1067-M1 AGGUCGCC
    S945- GAGGCAGCCUGGUGGAGGUUUAUC  945 AGAUAAACCUCCACCAGGC 1068
    AS1068-M1 UGCCUCCG
    S946- AGGCAGCCUGGUGGAGGUGUAUCTC  946 GAGAUACACCUCCACCAGG 1069
    AS1069-M1 CUGCCUCC
    S947- UGUGCCCGAGGAGGACGGGACCCGC  947 GCGGGUCCCGUCCUCCUCG 1070
    AS1070-M1 GGCACAUU
    S948- GUGCCCGAGGAGGACGGGAUCCGCT  948 AGCGGAUCCCGUCCUCCUC 1071
    AS1071-M1 GGGCACAU
    S949- UGCCCGAGGAGGACGGGACUCGCTT  949 AAGCGAGUCCCGUCCUCCU 1072
    AS1072-M1 CGGGCACA
    S950- GCCCGAGGAGGACGGGACCUGCUTC  950 GAAGCAGGUCCCGUCCUCC 1073
    AS1073-M1 UCGGGCAC
    S951- CCCGAGGAGGACGGGACCCUCUUCC  951 GGAAGAGGGUCCCGUCCUC 1074
    AS1074-M1 CUCGGGCA
    S952- CCGAGGAGGACGGGACCCGUUUCCA  952 UGGAAACGGGUCCCGUCCU 1075
    AS1075-M1 CCUCGGGC
    S953- CGAGGAGGACGGGACCCGCUUCCAC  953 GUGGAAGCGGGUCCCGUCC 1076
    AS1076-M1 UCCUCGGG
    S954- GGCAGGGGUGGUCAGCGGCUGGGAT  954 AUCCCAGCCGCUGACCACC 1077
    AS1077-M1 CCUGCCAG
    S955- GCAGGGGUGGUCAGCGGCCUGGATG  955 CAUCCAGGCCGCUGACCAC 1078
    AS1078-M1 CCCUGCCA
    S956- CAGGGGUGGUCAGCGGCCGUGAUGC  956 GCAUCACGGCCGCUGACCA 1079
    AS1079-M1 CCCCUGCC
    S957- GUGCUGCUGCCCCUGGCGGUUGGGT  957 ACCCAACCGCCAGGGGCAG 1080
    AS1080-M1 CAGCACCA
    S958- UGCUGCUGCCCCUGGCGGGUGGGTA  958 UACCCACCCGCCAGGGGCA 1081
    AS1081-M1 GCAGCACC
    S959- GCUGCUGCCCCUGGCGGGUUGGUAC  959 GUACCAACCCGCCAGGGGC 1082
    AS1082-M1 AGCAGCAC
    S960- CUGCUGCCCCUGGCGGGUGUGUACA  960 UGUACACACCCGCCAGGGG 1083
    AS1083-M1 CAGCAGCA
    S961- UGCUGCCCCUGGCGGGUGGUUACAG  961 CUGUAACCACCCGCCAGGG 1084
    AS1084-M1 GCAGCAGC
    S962- GCUGCCCCUGGCGGGUGGGUACAGC  962 GCUGUACCCACCCGCCAGG 1085
    AS1085-M1 GGCAGCAG
    S963- CUGCCCCUGGCGGGUGGGUACAGCC  963 GGCUGUACCCACCCGCCAG 1086
    AS1086-M1 GGGCAGCA
    S964- UGCCCCUGGCGGGUGGGUAUAGCCG  964 CGGCUAUACCCACCCGCCA 1087
    AS1087-M1 GGGGCAGC
    S965- GCCCCUGGCGGGUGGGUACAGCCGC  965 GCGGCUGUACCCACCCGCC 1088
    AS1088-M1 AGGGGCAG
    S966- UCAACGCCGCCUGCCAGCGUCUGGC  966 GCCAGACGCUGGCAGGCGG 1089
    AS1089-M1 CGUUGAGG
    S967- CAACGCCGCCUGCCAGCGCUUGGCG  967 CGCCAAGCGCUGGCAGGCG 1090
    AS1090-M1 GCGUUGAG
    S968- AACGCCGCCUGCCAGCGCCUGGCGA  968 UCGCCAGGCGCUGGCAGGC 1091
    AS1091-M1 GGCGUUGA
    S969- ACGCCGCCUGCCAGCGCCUUGCGAG  969 CUCGCAAGGCGCUGGCAGG 1092
    AS1092-M1 CGGCGUUG
    S970- CGCCGCCUGCCAGCGCCUGUCGAGG  970 CCUCGACAGGCGCUGGCAG 1093
    AS1093-M1 GCGGCGUU
    S971- GCCGCCUGCCAGCGCCUGGUGAGGG  971 CCCUCACCAGGCGCUGGCA 1094
    AS1094-M1 GGCGGCGU
    S972- CCGCCUGCCAGCGCCUGGCUAGGGC  972 GCCCUAGCCAGGCGCUGGC 1095
    AS1095-M1 AGGCGGCG
    S973- CGCCUGCCAGCGCCUGGCGAGGGCT  973 AGCCCUCGCCAGGCGCUGG 1096
    AS1096-M1 CAGGCGGC
    S974- GCCUGCCAGCGCCUGGCGAUGGCTG  974 CAGCCAUCGCCAGGCGCUG 1097
    AS1097-M1 GCAGGCGG
    S975- CCAGCGCCUGGCGAGGGCUUGGGTC  975 GACCCAAGCCCUCGCCAGG 1098
    AS1098-M1 CGCUGGCA
    S976- CAGCGCCUGGCGAGGGCUGUGGUCG  976 CGACCACAGCCCUCGCCAG 1099
    AS1099-M1 GCGCUGGC
    S977- AGCGCCUGGCGAGGGCUGGUGUCGT  977 ACGACACCAGCCCUCGCCA 1100
    AS1100-M1 GGCGCUGG
    S978- GCGCCUGGCGAGGGCUGGGUUCGTG  978 CACGAACCCAGCCCUCGCC 1101
    AS1101-M1 AGGCGCUG
    S979- CGCCUGGCGAGGGCUGGGGUCGUGC  979 GCACGACCCCAGCCCUCGC 1102
    AS1102-M1 CAGGCGCU
    S980- GCGAGGGCUGGGGUCGUGCUGGUCA  980 UGACCAGCACGACCCCAGC 1103
    AS1103-M1 CCUCGCCA
    S981- AUGCCUGCCUCUACUCCCCAGCCTC  981 GAGGCUGGGGAGUAGAGGC 1104
    AS1104-M1 AGGCAUCG
    S982- GCCUCUACUCCCCAGCCUCAGCUCC  982 GGAGCUGAGGCUGGGGAGU 1105
    AS1105-M1 AGAGGCAG
    S983- GACCUCUUUGCCCCAGGGGAGGACA  983 UGUCCUCCCCUGGGGCAAA 1106
    AS1106-M1 GAGGUCCA
    S984- CUUUGCCCCAGGGGAGGACAUCATT  984 AAUGAUGUCCUCCCCUGGG 1107
    AS1107-M1 GCAAAGAG
    S985- UUUGCCCCAGGGGAGGACAUCAUTG  985 CAAUGAUGUCCUCCCCUGG 1108
    AS1108-M1 GGCAAAGA
    S986- UUGCCCCAGGGGAGGACAUUAUUGG  986 CCAAUAAUGUCCUCCCCUG 1109
    AS1109-M1 GGGCAAAG
    S987- UGCCCCAGGGGAGGACAUCAUUGGT  987 ACCAAUGAUGUCCUCCCCU 1110
    AS1110-M1 GGGGCAAA
    S988- GCCCCAGGGGAGGACAUCAUUGGTG  988 CACCAAUGAUGUCCUCCCC 1111
    AS1111-M1 UGGGGCAA
    S989- ACACGGAUGGCCACAGCCGUCGCCC  989 GGGCGACGGCUGUGGCCAU 1112
    AS1112-M1 CCGUGUAG
    S990- CUCCAGGAGUGGGAAGCGGUGGGGC  990 GCCCCACCGCUUCCCACUC 1113
    AS1113-M1 CUGGAGAA
    S991- UCCAGGAGUGGGAAGCGGCUGGGCG  991 CGCCCAGCCGCUUCCCACU 1114
    AS1114-M1 CCUGGAGA
    S992- CCAGGAGUGGGAAGCGGCGUGGCGA  992 UCGCCACGCCGCUUCCCAC 1115
    AS1115-M1 UCCUGGAG
    S993- CAGGAGUGGGAAGCGGCGGUGCGAG  993 CUCGCACCGCCGCUUCCCA 1116
    AS1116-M1 CUCCUGGA
    S994- AGGAGUGGGAAGCGGCGGGUCGAGC  994 GCUCGACCCGCCGCUUCCC 1117
    AS1117-M1 ACUCCUGG
    S995- GGAGUGGGAAGCGGCGGGGUGAGCG  995 CGCUCACCCCGCCGCUUCC 1118
    AS1118-M1 CACUCCUG
    S996- GAGUGGGAAGCGGCGGGGCUAGCGC  996 GCGCUAGCCCCGCCGCUUC 1119
    AS1119-M1 CCACUCCU
    S997- AGUGGGAAGCGGCGGGGCGAGCGCA  997 UGCGCUCGCCCCGCCGCUU 1120
    AS1120-M1 CCCACUCC
    S998- GAAGCGGCGGGGCGAGCGCAUGGAG  998 CUCCAUGCGCUCGCCCCGC 1121
    AS1121-M1 CGCUUCCC
    S999- AAGCGGCGGGGCGAGCGCAUGGAGG  999 CCUCCAUGCGCUCGCCCCG 1122
    AS1122-M1 CCGCUUCC
    S1000- AGCGGCGGGGCGAGCGCAUUGAGGC 1000 GCCUCAAUGCGCUCGCCCC 1123
    AS1123-M1 GCCGCUUC
    S1001- GGUGCUGCCUGCUACCCCAUGCCAA 1001 UUGGCAUGGGGUAGCAGGC 1124
    AS1124-M1 AGCACCUG
    S1002- GUGCUGCCUGCUACCCCAGUCCAAC 1002 GUUGGACUGGGGUAGCAGG 1125
    AS1125-M1 CAGCACCU
    S1003- UGCUGCCUGCUACCCCAGGUCAACT 1003 AGUUGACCUGGGGUAGCAG 1126
    AS1126-M1 GCAGCACC
    S1004- GGGCCACGUCCUCACAGGCUGCAGC 1004 GCUGCAGCCUGUGAGGACG 1127
    AS1127-M1 UGGCCCUG
    S1005- GGCCACGUCCUCACAGGCUUCAGCT 1005 AGCUGAAGCCUGUGAGGAC 1128
    AS1128-M1 GUGGCCCU
    S1006- GCCACGUCCUCACAGGCUGUAGCTC 1006 GAGCUACAGCCUGUGAGGA 1129
    AS1129-M1 CGUGGCCC
    S1007- GGCUGCAGCUCCCACUGGGAGGUGG 1007 CCACCUCCCAGUGGGAGCU 1130
    AS1130-M1 GCAGCCUG
    S1008- GCUGCAGCUCCCACUGGGAUGUGGA 1008 UCCACAUCCCAGUGGGAGC 1131
    AS1131-M1 UGCAGCCU
    S1009- CUGCAGCUCCCACUGGGAGUUGGAG 1009 CUCCAACUCCCAGUGGGAG 1132
    AS1132-M1 CUGCAGCC
    S1010- UGCAGCUCCCACUGGGAGGUGGAGG 1010 CCUCCACCUCCCAGUGGGA 1133
    AS1133-M1 GCUGCAGC
    S1011- GCAGCUCCCACUGGGAGGUUGAGGA 1011 UCCUCAACCUCCCAGUGGG 1134
    AS1134-M1 AGCUGCAG
    S1012- CAGCUCCCACUGGGAGGUGUAGGAC 1012 GUCCUACACCUCCCAGUGG 1135
    AS1135-M1 GAGCUGCA
    S1013- AGCUCCCACUGGGAGGUGGAGGACC 1013 GGUCCUCCACCUCCCAGUG 1136
    AS1136-M1 GGAGCUGC
    S1014- GCUCCCACUGGGAGGUGGAUGACCT 1014 AGGUCAUCCACCUCCCAGU 1137
    AS1137-M1 GGGAGCUG
    S1015- CUCCCACUGGGAGGUGGAGUACCTT 1015 AAGGUACUCCACCUCCCAG 1138
    AS1138-M1 UGGGAGCU
    S1016- UCCCACUGGGAGGUGGAGGACCUTG 1016 CAAGGUCCUCCACCUCCCA 1139
    AS1139-M1 GUGGGAGC
    S1017- UGGCACCCACAAGCCGCCUUUGCTG 1017 CAGCAAAGGCGGCUUGUGG 1140
    AS1140-M1 GUGCCAAG
    S1018- GGCACCCACAAGCCGCCUGUGCUGA 1018 UCAGCACAGGCGGCUUGUG 1141
    AS1141-M1 GGUGCCAA
    S1019- AGCCGCCUGUGCUGAGGCCACGAGG 1019 CCUCGUGGCCUCAGCACAG 1142
    AS1142-M1 GCGGCUUG
    S1020- GCCGCCUGUGCUGAGGCCAUGAGGT 1020 ACCUCAUGGCCUCAGCACA 1143
    AS1143-M1 GGCGGCUU
    S1021- CCGCCUGUGCUGAGGCCACUAGGTC 1021 GACCUAGUGGCCUCAGCAC 1144
    AS1144-M1 AGGCGGCU
    S1022- GGGCCACAGGGAGGCCAGCAUCCAC 1022 GUGGAUGCUGGCCUCCCUG 1145
    AS1145-M1 UGGCCCAC
    S1023- GGCCACAGGGAGGCCAGCAUCCACG 1023 CGUGGAUGCUGGCCUCCCU 1146
    AS1146-M1 GUGGCCCA
    S1024- GCCACAGGGAGGCCAGCAUUCACGC 1024 GCGUGAAUGCUGGCCUCCC 1147
    AS1147-M1 UGUGGCCC
    S1025- CGGCCCCUCAGGAGCAGGUUACCGT 1025 ACGGUAACCUGCUCCUGAG 1148
    AS1148-M1 GGGCCGGG
    S1026- UGCUGCCGGAGCCGGCACCUGGCGC 1026 GCGCCAGGUGCCGGCUCCG 1149
    AS1149-M1 GCAGCAGA
    S1027- UCACAGGCUGCUGCCCACGUGGCTG 1027 CAGCCACGUGGGCAGCAGC 1150
    AS1150-M1 CUGUGAUG
    S1028- CACAGGCUGCUGCCCACGUUGCUGG 1028 CCAGCAACGUGGGCAGCAG 1151
    AS1151-M1 CCUGUGAU
    S1029- GCUUCCUGCUGCCAUGCCCUAGGTC 1029 GACCUAGGGCAUGGCAGCA 1152
    AS1152-M1 GGAAGCGU
    S1153- AACUUCAGCUCCUGCACAGUGCAGC 1153 ACUGUGCAGGAGCUGAAGU 1193
    AS1193-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC UCA
    S1154- UGGCCCUCAUGGGCACCGUUGCAGC 1154 AACGGUGCCCAUGAGGGCC 1194
    AS1194-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1155- AGGAGGAGACCCACCUCUCUGCAGC 1155 AGAGAGGUGGGUCUCCUCC 1195
    AS1195-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC UUC
    S1156- UGCUGGAGCUGGCCUUGAAUGCAGC 1156 AUUCAAGGCCAGCUCCAGC 1196
    AS1196-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1157- UCUGUCUUUGCCCAGAGCAUGCAGC 1157 AUGCUCUGGGCAAAGACAG 1197
    AS1197-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1158- CUGUCUUUGCCCAGAGCAUUGCAGC 1158 AAUGCUCUGGGCAAAGACA 1198
    AS1198-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC GAG
    S1159- CUUGCCUGGAACUCACUCAUGCAGC 1159 AUGAGUGAGUUCCAGGCAA 1199
    AS1199-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC GGA
    S1160- UUGCCUGGAACUCACUCACUGCAGC 1160 AGUGAGUGAGUUCCAGGCA 1200
    AS1200-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1161- AGAAUGACUUUUAUUGAGCUGCAGC 1161 AGCUCAAUAAAAGUCAUUC 1201
    AS1201-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC UGC
    S1162- GAAUGACUUUUAUUGAGCUUGCAGC 1162 AAGCUCAAUAAAAGUCAUU 1202
    AS1202-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC CUG
    S1163- AUGACUUUUAUUGAGCUCUUGCAGC 1163 AAGAGCUCAAUAAAAGUCA 1203
    AS1203-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC UUC
    S1164- UGACUUUUAUUGAGCUCUUUGCAGC 1164 AAAGAGCUCAAUAAAAGUC 1204
    AS1204-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC AUU
    S1165- CUUGUUCCGUGCCAGGCAUUGCAGC 1165 AAUGCCUGGCACGGAACAA 1205
    AS1205-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC GAG
    S1166- UGUGAAAGGUGCUGAUGGCUGCAGC 1166 AGCCAUCAGCACCUUUCAC 1206
    AS1206-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC ACU
    S1167- AUGGAGGCUUAGCUUUCUGUGCAGC 1167 ACAGAAAGCUAAGCCUCCA 1207
    AS1207-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC UUA
    S1168- GAGGCUUAGCUUUCUGGAUUGCAGC 1168 AAUCCAGAAAGCUAAGCCU 1208
    AS1208-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC CCA
    S1169- AGGCUUAGCUUUCUGGAUGUGCAGC 1169 ACAUCCAGAAAGCUAAGCC 1209
    AS1209-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC UCC
    S1170- GCUUAGCUUUCUGGAUGGCAGCAGC 1170 UGCCAUCCAGAAAGCUAAG 1210
    AS1210-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC CCU
    S1171- CCAGGCUGUGCUAGCAACAUGCAGC 1171 AUGUUGCUAGCACAGCCUG 1211
    AS1211-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC GCA
    S1172- UGCGGGGAGCCAUCACCUAUGCAGC 1172 AUAGGUGAUGGCUCCCCGC 1212
    AS1212-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1173- CGGCAGUGUGCAGUGGUGCAGCAGC 1173 UGCACCACUGCACACUGCC 1213
    AS1213-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC GAG
    S1174- ACAGAGGAAGAAACCUGGAAGCAGC 1174 UUCCAGGUUUCUUCCUCUG 1214
    AS1214-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC UGA
    S1175- CAGAGGAAGAAACCUGGAAUGCAGC 1175 AUUCCAGGUUUCUUCCUCU 1215
    AS1215-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC GUG
    S1176- AGAGGAAGAAACCUGGAACUGCAGC 1176 AGUUCCAGGUUUCUUCCUC 1216
    AS1216-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC UGU
    S1177- UGGCGGAGAUGCUUCUAAGUGCAGC 1177 ACUUAGAAGCAUCUCCGCC 1217
    AS1217-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1178- UUACAGCCAACUUUUCUAGAGCAGC 1178 UCUAGAAAAGUUGGCUGUA 1218
    AS1218-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC AAA
    S1179- CUGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUUGCAGC 1179 AAGUUACAAAAGCAAAACA 1219
    AS1219-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC GGU
    S1180- UGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUUUGCAGC 1180 AAAGUUACAAAAGCAAAAC 1220
    AS1220-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1181- UUUGCUUUUGUAACUUGAAUGCAGC 1181 AUUCAAGUUACAAAAGCAA 1221
    AS1221-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC AAC
    S1182- UUUGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUGCAGC 1182 AUUAAUAAAAAUGCUACAA 1222
    AS1222-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC AAC
    S1183- UGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUAUGCAGC 1183 AUAUUAAUAAAAAUGCUAC 1223
    AS1223-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC AAA
    S1184- GUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUAUUGCAGC 1184 AAUAUUAAUAAAAAUGCUA 1224
    AS1224-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC CAA
    S1185- AUUAAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAGCAGC 1185 UAAAAAGUCACCAUAUUAA 1225
    AS1225-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC UAA
    S1186- UUAAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAGCAGC 1186 UUAAAAAGUCACCAUAUUA 1226
    AS1226-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC AUA
    S1187- AAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAGCAGC 1187 UUUUAAAAAGUCACCAUAU 1227
    AS1227-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC UAA
    S1188- AUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUGCAGC 1188 AUUUUAAAAAGUCACCAUA 1228
    AS1228-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC UUA
    S1189- UAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAGCAGC 1189 UAUUUUAAAAAGUCACCAU 1229
    AS1229-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC AUU
    S1190- AUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAGCAGC 1190 UUAUUUUAAAAAGUCACCA 1230
    AS1230-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC UAU
    S1191- UGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAAGCAGC 1191 UUUAUUUUAAAAAGUCACC 1231
    AS1231-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC AUA
    S1192- GUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAAAAGCAGC 1192 UUUUUAUUUUAAAAAGUCA 1232
    AS1232-M2 CGAAAGGCUGC CCA
    S1153- AACUUCAGCUCCUGCACAGUGCAGC 1153 ACUGUGCAGGAGCUGAAGU 1193
    AS1193-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC UCA
    S1154- UGGCCCUCAUGGGCACCGUUGCAGC 1154 AACGGUGCCCAUGAGGGCC 1194
    AS1194-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1155- AGGAGGAGACCCACCUCUCUGCAGC 1155 AGAGAGGUGGGUCUCCUCC 1195
    AS1195-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC UUC
    S1156- UGCUGGAGCUGGCCUUGAAUGCAGC 1156 AUUCAAGGCCAGCUCCAGC 1196
    AS1196-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1157- UCUGUCUUUGCCCAGAGCAUGCAGC 1157 AUGCUCUGGGCAAAGACAG 1197
    AS1197-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1158- CUGUCUUUGCCCAGAGCAUUGCAGC 1158 AAUGCUCUGGGCAAAGACA 1198
    AS1198-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC GAG
    S1159- CUUGCCUGGAACUCACUCAUGCAGC 1159 AUGAGUGAGUUCCAGGCAA 1199
    AS1199-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC GGA
    S1160- UUGCCUGGAACUCACUCACUGCAGC 1160 AGUGAGUGAGUUCCAGGCA 1200
    AS1200-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1161- AGAAUGACUUUUAUUGAGCUGCAGC 1161 AGCUCAAUAAAAGUCAUUC 1201
    AS1201-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC UGC
    S1162- GAAUGACUUUUAUUGAGCUUGCAGC 1162 AAGCUCAAUAAAAGUCAUU 1202
    AS1202-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC CUG
    S1163- AUGACUUUUAUUGAGCUCUUGCAGC 1163 AAGAGCUCAAUAAAAGUCA 1203
    AS1203-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC UUC
    S1164- UGACUUUUAUUGAGCUCUUUGCAGC 1164 AAAGAGCUCAAUAAAAGUC 1204
    AS1204-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC AUU
    S1165- CUUGUUCCGUGCCAGGCAUUGCAGC 1165 AAUGCCUGGCACGGAACAA 1205
    AS1205-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC GAG
    S1166- UGUGAAAGGUGCUGAUGGCUGCAGC 1166 AGCCAUCAGCACCUUUCAC 1206
    AS1206-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC CAU
    S1167- AUGGAGGCUUAGCUUUCUGUGCAGC 1167 ACAGAAAGCUAAGCCUCCA 1207
    AS1207-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC UUA
    S1168- GAGGCUUAGCUUUCUGGAUUGCAGC 1168 AAUCCAGAAAGCUAAGCCU 1208
    AS1208-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC CCA
    S1169- AGGCUUAGCUUUCUGGAUGUGCAGC 1169 ACAUCCAGAAAGCUAAGCC 1209
    AS1209-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC UCC
    S1170- GCUUAGCUUUCUGGAUGGCAGCAGC 1170 UGCCAUCCAGAAAGCUAAG 1210
    AS1210-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC CCU
    S1171- CCAGGCUGUGCUAGCAACAUGCAGC 1171 AUGUUGCUAGCACAGCCUG 1211
    AS1211-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC GCA
    S1172- UGCGGGGAGCCAUCACCUAUGCAGC 1172 AUAGGUGAUGGCUCCCCGC 1212
    AS1212-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1173- CGGCAGUGUGCAGUGGUGCAGCAGC 1173 UGCACCACUGCACACUGCC 1213
    AS1213-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC GAG
    S1174- ACAGAGGAAGAAACCUGGAAGCAGC 1174 UUCCAGGUUUCUUCCUCUG 1214
    AS1214-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC UGA
    S1175- CAGAGGAAGAAACCUGGAAUGCAGC 1175 AUUCCAGGUUUCUUCCUCU 1215
    AS1215-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC GUG
    S1176- AGAGGAAGAAACCUGGAACUGCAGC 1176 AGUUCCAGGUUUCUUCCUC 1216
    AS1216-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC UGU
    S1177- UGGCGGAGAUGCUUCUAAGUGCAGC 1177 ACUUAGAAGCAUCUCCGCC 1217
    AS1217-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1178- UUACAGCCAACUUUUCUAGAGCAGC 1178 UCUAGAAAAGUUGGCUGUA 1218
    AS1218-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC AAA
    S1179- CUGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUUGCAGC 1179 AAGUUACAAAAGCAAAACA 1219
    AS1219-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC GGU
    S1180- UGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUUUGCAGC 1180 AAAGUUACAAAAGCAAAAC 1220
    AS1220-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1181- UUUGCUUUUGUAACUUGAAUGCAGC 1181 AUUCAAGUUACAAAAGCAA 1221
    AS1221-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC AAC
    S1182- UUUGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUGCAGC 1182 AUUAAUAAAAAUGCUACAA 1222
    AS1222-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC AAC
    S1183- UGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUAUGCAGC 1183 AUAUUAAUAAAAAUGCUAC 1223
    AS1223-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC AAA
    S1184- GUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUAUUGCAGC 1184 AAUAUUAAUAAAAAUGCUA 1224
    AS1224-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC CAA
    S1185- AUUAAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAGCAGC 1185 UAAAAAGUCACCAUAUUAA 1225
    AS1225-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC UAA
    S1186- UUAAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAGCAGC 1186 UUAAAAAGUCACCAUAUUA 1226
    AS1226-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC AUA
    S1187- AAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAGCAGC 1187 UUUUAAAAAGUCACCAUAU 1227
    AS1227-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC UAA
    S1188- AUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUGCAGC 1188 AUUUUAAAAAGUCACCAUA 1228
    AS1228-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC UUA
    S1189- UAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAGCAGC 1189 UAUUUUAAAAAGUCACCAU 1229
    AS1229-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC AUU
    S1190- AUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAGCAGC 1190 UUAUUUUAAAAAGUCACCA 1230
    AS1230-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC UAU
    S1191- UGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAAGCAGC 1191 UUUAUUUUAAAAAGUCACC 1231
    AS1231-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC AUA
    S1192- GUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAAAAGCAGC 1192 UUUUUAUUUUAAAAAGUCA 1232
    AS1232-M3 CGAAAGGCUGC CCA
    S1180- UGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUUUGCAGC 1180 AAAGUUACAAAAGCAAAAC 1220
    AS1220-M4 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1163- AUGACUUUUAUUGAGCUCUUGCAGC 1163 AAGAGCUCAAUAAAAGUCA 1203
    AS1203-M4 CGAAAGGCUGC UUC
    S1181- UUUGCUUUUGUAACUUGAAUGCAGC 1181 AUUCAAGUUACAAAAGCAA 1221
    AS1221-M4 CGAAAGGCUGC AAC
    S1248- GCUGGGCUCCUCAUUUUUAUGCAGC 1248 AUAAAAAUGAGGAGCCCAG 1257
    AS1257-M4 CGAAAGGCUGC CGG
    S1249- GCUGGCGGAGAUGCUUCUAAGCAGC 1249 UUAGAAGCAUCUCCGCCAG 1258
    AS1258-M4 CGAAAGGCUGC CGG
    S1250- UUUACAGCCAACUUUUCUAUGCAGC 1250 AUAGAAAAGUUGGCUGUAA 1259
    AS1259-M4 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1251- GGCUGGGCUCCUCAUUUUUAGCAGC 1251 UAAAAAUGAGGAGCCCAGC 1260
    AS1260-M4 CGAAAGGCUGC CGG
    S1252- AGCACGGAACCACAGCCACUGCAGC 1252 AGUGGCUGUGGUUCCGUGC 1261
    AS1261-M4 CGAAAGGCUGC UGG
    S1253- AAUGACUUUUAUUGAGCUCUGCAGC 1253 AGAGCUCAAUAAAAGUCAU 1262
    AS1262-M4 CGAAAGGCUGC UGG
    S1254- UUUUGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAGCAGC 1254 UUAAUAAAAAUGCUACAAA 1263
    AS1263-M4 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1255- GCUUGCCUGGAACUCACUCAGCAGC 1255 UGAGUGAGUUCCAGGCAAG 1264
    AS1264-M4 CGAAAGGCUGC CGG
    S1256- UGGAGGCUUAGCUUUCUGGAGCAGC 1256 UCCAGAAAGCUAAGCCUCC 1265
    AS1265-M4 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1180- UGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUUUGCAGC 1180 AAAGUUACAAAAGCAAAAC 1220
    AS1220-M4 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1180- UGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUUUGCAGC 1180 AAAGUUACAAAAGCAAAAC 1220
    AS1220-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1164- UGACUUUUAUUGAGCUCUUUGCAGC 1164 AAAGAGCUCAAUAAAAGUC 1204
    AS1204-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC AUU
    S1178- UUACAGCCAACUUUUCUAGAGCAGC 1178 UCUAGAAAAGUUGGCUGUA 1218
    AS1218-M6 CGAAAGGCUGC AAA
    S1178- UUACAGCCAACUUUUCUAGAGCAGC 1178 UCUAGAAAAGUUGGCUGUA 1218
    AS1218-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC AAA
    S1179- CUGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUUGCAGC 1179 AAGUUACAAAAGCAAAACA 1219
    AS1219-M6 CGAAAGGCUGC GGU
    S1179- CUGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUUGCAGC 1179 AAGUUACAAAAGCAAAACA 1219
    AS1219-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC GGU
    S1181- UUUGCUUUUGUAACUUGAAUGCAGC 1181 AUUCAAGUUACAAAAGCAA 1221
    AS1221-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC AAC
    S1182- UUUGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUGCAGC 1182 AUUAAUAAAAAUGCUACAA 1222
    AS1222-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC AAC
    S1183- UGUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUAUGCAGC 1183 AUAUUAAUAAAAAUGCUAC 1223
    AS1223-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC AAA
    S1187- AAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAGCAGC 1187 UUUUAAAAAGUCACCAUAU 1227
    AS1227-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC UAA
    S1188- AUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUGCAGC 1188 AUUUUAAAAAGUCACCAUA 1228
    AS1228-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC UUA
    S1189- UAUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAGCAGC 1189 UAUUUUAAAAAGUCACCAU 1229
    AS1229-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC AUU
    S1158- CUGUCUUUGCCCAGAGCAUUGCAGC 1158 AAUGCUCUGGGCAAAGACA 1198
    AS1198-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC GAG
    S1159- CUUGCCUGGAACUCACUCAUGCAGC 1159 AUGAGUGAGUUCCAGGCAA 1199
    AS1199-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC GGA
    S1160- UUGCCUGGAACUCACUCACUGCAGC 1160 AGUGAGUGAGUUCCAGGCA 1200
    AS1200-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1161- AGAAUGACUUUUAUUGAGCUGCAGC 1161 AGCUCAAUAAAAGUCAUUC 1201
    AS1201-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC UGC
    S1163- AUGACUUUUAUUGAGCUCUUGCAGC 1163 AAGAGCUCAAUAAAAGUCA 1203
    AS1203-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC UUC
    S1184- GUAGCAUUUUUAUUAAUAUUGCAGC 1184 AAUAUUAAUAAAAAUGCUA 1224
    AS1224-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC CAA
    S1185- AUUAAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAGCAGC 1185 UAAAAAGUCACCAUAUUAA 1225
    AS1225-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC UAA
    S1186- UUAAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAGCAGC 1186 UUAAAAAGUCACCAUAUUA 1226
    AS1226-M6 CGAAAGGCUGC AUA
    S1186- UUAAUAUGGUGACUUUUUAAGCAGC 1186 UUAAAAAGUCACCAUAUUA 1226
    AS1226-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC AUA
    S1190- AUGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAGCAGC 1190 UUAUUUUAAAAAGUCACCA 1230
    AS1230-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC UAU
    S1191- UGGUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAAGCAGC 1191 UUUAUUUUAAAAAGUCACC 1231
    AS1231-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC AUA
    S1192- GUGACUUUUUAAAAUAAAAAGCAGC 1192 UUUUUAUUUUAAAAAGUCA 1232
    AS1232-M5 CGAAAGGCUGC CCA
    S1266- UGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUU[U/A]G 1266 [U/A]AAGUUACAAAAGCA 1269
    AS1269-M7 CAGCCGAAAGGCUGC AAACAGG
    S1266- UGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUU[U/A]G 1266 [U/A]AAGUUACAAAAGCA 1269
    AS1269-M8 CAGCCGAAAGGCUGC AAACAGG
    S1266- UGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUU[U/A]G 1266 [U/A]AAGUUACAAAAGCA 1269
    AS1269-M9 CAGCCGAAAGGCUGC AAACAGG
    S1267- UUUUGUAACUUGAAGAUAUAGCAGC 1267 UAUAUCUUCAAGUUACAAA 1270
    AS1270-M10 CGAAAGGCUGC AGG
    S1268- CUGGGUUUUGUAGCAUUUUAGCAGC 1268 UAAAAUGCUACAAAACCCA 1271
    AS1271-M11 CGAAAGGCUGC GGG
    S1268- CUGGGUUUUGUAGCAUUUUAGCAGC 1268 UAAAAUGCUACAAAACCCA 1271
    AS1271-M9 CGAAAGGCUGC GGG
    S1266- UGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUU[U/A]G 1266 [U/A]AAGUUACAAAAGCA 1269
    AS1269-M12 CAGCCGAAAGGCUGC AAACAGG
    S1266- UGUUUUGCUUUUGUAACUU[U/A]G 1266 [U/A]AAGUUACAAAAGCA 1269
    AS1269-M13 CAGCCGAAAGGCUGC AAACAGG
  • The disclosure illustratively described herein suitably can be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations that are not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, in each instance herein any of the terms “comprising”, “consisting essentially of”, and “consisting of” may be replaced with either of the other two terms. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments, optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the description and the appended claims.
  • In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups or other grouping of alternatives, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group or other group.
  • It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, sequences presented in the sequence listing may be referred to in describing the structure of an oligonucleotide or other nucleic acid. In such embodiments, the actual oligonucleotide or other nucleic acid may have one or more alternative nucleotides (e.g., an RNA counterpart of a DNA nucleotide or a DNA counterpart of an RNA nucleotide) and/or one or more modified nucleotides and/or one or more modified internucleotide linkages and/or one or more other modification compared with the specified sequence while retaining essentially same or similar complementary properties as the specified sequence.
  • The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
  • Embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description.
  • The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims (21)

1-50. (canceled)
51. A method of treating a subject having or at risk of having hypercholesterolemia or atherosclerosis, the method comprising administering to the subject an oligonucleotide for reducing expression of PCSK9, the oligonucleotide comprising an antisense strand comprising a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1219-1222, 1231-1232, and 1269-1271, and a sense strand comprising a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1179-1182, 1191-1192, and 1266-1268, wherein the sense strand forms a duplex region with the antisense strand.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein the antisense strand is up to 27 nucleotides in length.
53. A method of treating a subject having or at risk of having hypercholesterolemia or atherosclerosis, the method comprising administering to the subject an oligonucleotide for reducing expression of PCSK9, wherein the oligonucleotide comprises a pair of antisense strand and sense strand,
wherein the antisense strand is 21 to 27 nucleotides in length comprising a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1219-1222, 1231-1232, and 1269-1271, and has a region of complementarity to PCSK9,
wherein the sense strand comprises at its 3′-end a stem-loop set forth as: S1-L-S2, wherein S1 is complementary to S2, and wherein L forms a loop between S1 and S2 of 3 to 5 nucleotides in length, and wherein the antisense strand and the sense strand form a duplex structure of at least 19 nucleotides in length but are not covalently linked.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein the sense strand comprises a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1179-1182, 1191-1192, and 1266-1268.
55. The method of claim 51, wherein the oligonucleotide comprises a 3′-overhang sequence of two nucleotides in length, wherein the 3′-overhang sequence is present on the antisense strand.
56. A method of treating a subject having or at risk of having hypercholesterolemia or atherosclerosis, the method comprising administering to the subject an oligonucleotide for reducing expression of PCSK9, wherein the antisense strand consists of a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1219-1222, 1231-1232, and 1269-1271, and wherein the sense strand consists of a sequence as set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1179-1182, 1191-1192, and 1266-1268; and
wherein the oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified nucleotide, wherein the modified nucleotide comprises a 2′-modification selected from: 2′-aminoethyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-methyl, 2′-O-methoxyethyl, and 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-β-d-arabinonucleic acid.
57. The method of claim 56, wherein the oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified internucleotide linkage, and wherein the at least one modified internucleotide linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage.
58. The method of claim 56, wherein the 4′-carbon of the sugar of the 5′-nucleotide of the antisense strand comprises a phosphate analog, and wherein the phosphate analog is oxymethylphosphonate, vinylphosphonate, or malonylphosphonate.
59. The method of claim 56, wherein at least one nucleotide of the oligonucleotide is conjugated to one or more targeting ligands, and wherein each targeting ligand comprises an N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) moiety.
60. The method of claim 53, wherein the oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified nucleotide, wherein the modified nucleotide comprises a 2′-modification selected from: 2′-aminoethyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-methyl, 2′-O-methoxyethyl, and 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-β-d-arabinonucleic acid.
61. The method of claim 53, wherein the oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified internucleotide linkage, and wherein the at least one modified internucleotide linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage.
62. The method of claim 53, wherein the 4′-carbon of the sugar of the 5′-nucleotide of the antisense strand comprises a phosphate analog, and wherein the phosphate analog is oxymethylphosphonate, vinylphosphonate, or malonylphosphonate.
63. The method of claim 53, wherein at least one nucleotide of the oligonucleotide is conjugated to one or more targeting ligands, and wherein each targeting ligand comprises a N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) moiety.
64. The method of claim 51, wherein the oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified nucleotide, wherein the modified nucleotide comprises a 2′-modification selected from: 2′-aminoethyl, 2′-fluoro, 2′-O-methyl, 2′-O-methoxyethyl, and 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-β-d-arabinonucleic acid.
65. The method of claim 51, wherein the oligonucleotide comprises at least one modified internucleotide linkage, and wherein the at least one modified internucleotide linkage is a phosphorothioate linkage.
66. The method of claim 51, wherein the 4′-carbon of the sugar of the 5′-nucleotide of the antisense strand comprises a phosphate analog, and wherein the phosphate analog is oxymethylphosphonate, vinylphosphonate, or malonylphosphonate.
67. The method of claim 51, wherein at least one nucleotide of the oligonucleotide is conjugated to one or more targeting ligands, and wherein each targeting ligand comprises a N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) moiety.
68. The method of claim 51, wherein the subject has one or more symptoms or complications selected from the group consisting of coronary heart disease, angina, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, heart palpitations, stroke, feelings of weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, dizziness, difficulty in walking or standing up straight, blurred vision, numbness of the face, arms, and legs, severe headaches, loss of consciousness, peripheral artery disease, and kidney problems.
69. The method of claim 53, wherein the subject has one or more symptoms or complications selected from the group consisting of coronary heart disease, angina, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, heart palpitations, stroke, feelings of weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, dizziness, difficulty in walking or standing up straight, blurred vision, numbness of the face, arms, and legs, severe headaches, loss of consciousness, peripheral artery disease, and kidney problems.
70. The method of claim 56, wherein the subject has one or more symptoms or complications selected from the group consisting of coronary heart disease, angina, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, heart palpitations, stroke, feelings of weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, dizziness, difficulty in walking or standing up straight, blurred vision, numbness of the face, arms, and legs, severe headaches, loss of consciousness, peripheral artery disease, and kidney problems.
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