OLIGONUCLEOTIDES FOR PRNP MODULATION

1 - 70 . (canceled)

71 . A method for inhibiting expression of a PRNP gene in a cell, the method comprising:

(a) introducing into the cell a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA); and

(b) maintaining the cell produced in step (a) for a time sufficient to obtain degradation of a mRNA transcript of the PRNP gene, thereby inhibiting expression of the PRNP gene in the cell,

wherein the dsRNA comprises a sense strand and an antisense strand, each with a 5′ end and a 3′ end, wherein the sense strand or/and the antisense strand comprise about 8 nucleotides to 80 nucleotides in length, and the antisense strand comprises a sequence substantially complementary to a PRNP nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12. 95, 112, 114, 124, 181, and 182.

72 . A method of treating or managing a neurodegenerative disease comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment or management a therapeutically effective amount of a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), wherein the dsRNA comprises:

a sense strand and an antisense strand, wherein the sense strand or/and the antisense strand comprise about 8 nucleotides to 80 nucleotides in length, and

a sequence substantially complementary to a PRNP nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12, 95, 112, 114, 124, 181, and 182.

73 . The method of claim 72 , wherein the dsRNA is administered to the brain of the patient.

74 . The method of claim 72 , wherein the dsRNA is administered by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection, intrastriatal (IS) injection, intravenous (IV) injection, subcutaneous (SQ) injection, or a combination thereof.

75 . The method of claim 72 , wherein administering the dsRNA causes a decrease in an amount of PRNP gene mRNA in one or more of the hippocampus, striatum, cortex, cerebellum, thalamus, hypothalamus, and spinal cord of the patient.

76 . The method of claim 71 , wherein the dsRNA inhibits the expression of the PRNP gene by at least 50%.

77 . The method of claim 71 , wherein the dsRNA inhibits the expression of the PRNP gene by at least 80%.

78 - 175 . (canceled)

176 . A method for inhibiting expression of a PRNP gene in a cell, the method comprising:

(a) introducing into the cell a compound; and

(b) maintaining the cell produced in step (a) for a time sufficient to obtain degradation of the a mRNA transcript of the PRNP gene, thereby inhibiting expression of the PRNP gene in the cell,

wherein:

(A):

the compound is a branched RNA compound comprising:

two or more RNA molecules comprising 15 to 35 nucleotides in length, and

a sequence substantially complementary to a PRNP mRNA, and

wherein two of the two or more RNA molecules are connected to one another by one or more moieties independently selected from a linker, a spacer, and a branching point; or

(B):

the compound is of formula (I):

L—(N) n  (I)

wherein

L comprises an ethylene glycol chain, an alkyl chain, a peptide, an RNA, a DNA, a phosphate, a phosphonate, a phosphoramidate, an ester, an amide, a triazole, or combinations thereof, wherein formula (I) optionally further comprises one or more branch point B, and one or more spacer S, wherein

the one or more branch point B are independently for each occurrence a polyvalent organic species or derivative thereof;

the one or more spacer S comprise independently for each occurrence an ethylene glycol chain, an alkyl chain, a peptide, an RNA, a DNA, a phosphate, a phosphonate, a phosphoramidate, an ester, an amide, a triazole, or combinations thereof; and

N is a double stranded nucleic acid comprising 15 to 35 bases in length comprising a sense strand and an antisense strand; wherein

the antisense strand comprises a sequence substantially complementary to a PRNP nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12, 95, 112, 114, 124, 181, and 182;

the sense strand and the antisense strand each independently comprises one or more chemical modifications; and

n is 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8.

177 . A method of treating or managing a neurodegenerative disease comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment or management a therapeutically effective amount of a branched RNA compound of,

wherein the branched RNA compound comprises:

two or more RNA molecules comprising 15 to 35 nucleotides in length, and

a sequence substantially complementary to a PRNP mRNA, and

wherein two of the two or more RNA molecules are connected to one another by one or more moieties independently selected from a linker, a spacer, and a branching point.

178 . The method of claim 177 , wherein the branched RNA compound is administered to the brain of the patient.

179 . The method of claim 177 , wherein the branched RNA compound is administered by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection, intrastriatal (IS) injection, intravenous (IV) injection, subcutaneous (SQ) injection, or a combination thereof.

180 . The method of claim 177 , wherein administering the branched RNA compound causes a decrease in an amount of PRNP gene mRNA in one or more of the hippocampus, striatum, cortex, cerebellum, thalamus, hypothalamus, and spinal cord of the patient.

181 . The method of claim 176 , wherein the branched RNA compound inhibits the expression of the PRNP gene by at least 50%.

182 . The method of claim 176 , wherein the branched RNA compound inhibits the expression of the PRNP gene by at least 80%.

183 . The method of claim 71 , wherein the antisense strand comprises a sequence substantially complementary to a PRNP nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 13-38, 217, 234, 236, 246, 303, and 304.

184 . The method of claim 71 , wherein:

the dsRNA comprises complementarity to at least 10, 11, 12, or 13 contiguous nucleotides of a PRNP nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12, 95, 112, 114, 124, 181, and 182;

the dsRNA comprises no more than 3 mismatches with a PRNP nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12, 95, 112, 114, 124, 181, and 182;

the dsRNA comprises full complementarity to a PRNP nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12, 95, 112, 114, 124, 181, and 182;

the antisense strand comprises about 15 nucleotides to about 25 nucleotides in length, optionally 20, 21, or 22 nucleotides in length;

the sense strand comprises about 15 nucleotides to about 25 nucleotides in length, optionally 15, 16, 18, or 20 nucleotides in length;

the dsRNA comprises a double-stranded region of 15 base pairs to 20 base pairs, optionally 15, 16, 18, or 20 base pairs;

the dsRNA comprises a blunt-end;

the dsRNA comprises at least one single stranded nucleotide overhang, optionally about a 2-nucleotide to 5-nucleotide single stranded nucleotide overhang;

the dsRNA comprises at least one modified nucleotide, optionally wherein the at least one modified nucleotide comprises a 2′-O-methyl modified nucleotide, a 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro modified nucleotide, a 2′-deoxy-modified nucleotide, a locked nucleotide, an abasic nucleotide, a 2′-amino-modified nucleotide, a 2′-alkyl-modified nucleotide, a morpholino nucleotide, a phosphoramidate, a non-natural base comprising nucleotide, or a mixture thereof;

the dsRNA comprises at least one modified internucleotide linkage, optionally wherein the modified internucleotide linkage comprises a phosphorothioate internucleotide linkage;

the dsRNA comprises 4-16 phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages or 8-13 phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages;

the nucleotides at positions 1 and 2 from 3′ end of sense strand, and the nucleotides at positions 1 and 2 from the 5′ end of antisense strand are connected to adjacent ribonucleotides via phosphorothioate linkages; and/or

the dsRNA comprises at least one modified internucleotide linkage of Formula I:

wherein:

B is a base pairing moiety;

W is selected from the group consisting of O, OCH 2 , OCH, CH 2 , and CH;

X is selected from the group consisting of halo, hydroxy, and C 1-6 alkoxy;

Y is selected from the group consisting of O − , OH, OR, NH − , NH 2 , S − , and SH;

Z is selected from the group consisting of O and CH 2 ;

R is a protecting group; and

is an optional double bond.

185 . The method of claim 71 , wherein the dsRNA comprises at least 80% chemically modified nucleotides.

186 . The method of claim 71 , wherein:

A:

(1) the antisense strand comprises a sequence substantially complementary to a PRNP nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12, 95, 112, 114, 124, 181, and 182;

(2) the antisense strand comprises alternating 2′-methoxy-ribonucleotides and 2′-fluoro-ribonucleotides;

(3) the nucleotides at positions 2 and 14 from the 5′ end of the antisense strand are not 2′-methoxy-ribonucleotides;

(4) the nucleotides at positions 1-2 to 1-7 from 3′ end of the antisense strand are connected to each other via phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages;

(5) a portion of the antisense strand is complementary to a portion of the sense strand;

(6) the sense strand comprises alternating 2′-methoxy-ribonucleotides and 2′-fluoro-ribonucleotides; and

(7) the nucleotides at positions 1-2 from the 5′ end of the sense strand are connected to each other via phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages;

B:

(1) the antisense strand comprises a sequence substantially complementary to a PRNP

(2) the antisense strand comprises at least 70% 2′-O-methyl modifications;

(3) the nucleotide at position 14 from the 5′ end of the antisense strand is not a 2′-methoxy-ribonucleotide;

(4) the nucleotides at positions 1-2 to 1-7 from 3′ end of the antisense strand are connected to each other via phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages;

(5) a portion of the antisense strand is complementary to a portion of the sense strand;

(6) the sense strand comprises at least 70% 2′-O-methyl modifications; and

(7) the nucleotides at positions 1-2 from the 5′ end of the sense strand are connected to each other via phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages; or

C:

(1) the antisense strand comprises a sequence substantially complementary to a PRNP nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12, 95, 112, 114, 124, 181, and 182;

(2) the antisense strand comprises at least 85% 2′-O-methyl modifications;

(3) the nucleotides at positions 2 and 14 from the 5′ end of the antisense strand are not 2′-methoxy-ribonucleotides;

(4) the nucleotides at positions 1-2 to 1-7 from 3′ end of the antisense strand are connected to each other via phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages;

(5) a portion of the antisense strand is complementary to a portion of the sense strand;

(6) the sense strand comprises 100% 2′-O-methyl modifications; and

(7) the nucleotides at positions 1-2 from the 5′ end of the sense strand are connected to each other via phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages; or

D:

(1) the antisense strand comprises a sequence substantially complementary to a PRNP nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12, 95, 112, 114, 124, 181, and 182;

(2) the antisense strand comprises at least 75% 2′-O-methyl modifications;

(3) the nucleotides at positions 4, 5, 6, and 14 from the 5′ end of the antisense strand are not 2′-methoxy-ribonucleotides;

(4) the nucleotides at positions 1-2 to 1-7 from 3′ end of the antisense strand are connected to each other via phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages;

(5) a portion of the antisense strand is complementary to a portion of the sense strand;

(6) the sense strand comprises 100% 2′-O-methyl modifications; and

(7) the nucleotides at positions 1-2 from the 5′ end of the sense strand are connected to each other via phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages; or

E:

(1) the antisense strand comprises a sequence substantially complementary to a PRNP nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12, 95, 112, 114, 124, 181, and 182;

(2) the antisense strand comprises at least 75% 2′-O-methyl modifications;

(3) the nucleotides at positions 2, 4, 5, 6, and 14 from the 5′ end of the antisense strand are not 2′-methoxy-ribonucleotides;

(4) the nucleotides at positions 1-2 to 1-7 from 3′ end of the antisense strand are connected to each other via phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages;

(5) a portion of the antisense strand is complementary to a portion of the sense strand;

(6) the sense strand comprises 100% 2′-O-methyl modifications; and

(7) the nucleotides at positions 1-2 from the 5′ end of the sense strand are connected to each other via phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages; or

F:

(1) the antisense strand comprises a sequence substantially complementary to a PRNP nucleic acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-12, 95, 112, 114, 124, 181, and 182;

(2) the antisense strand comprises at least 75% 2′-O-methyl modifications;

(3) the nucleotides at positions 2, 6, 14, and 16 from the 5′ end of the antisense strand are not 2′-methoxy-ribonucleotides;

(4) the nucleotides at positions 1-2 to 1-7 from 3′ end of the antisense strand are connected to each other via phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages;

(5) a portion of the antisense strand is complementary to a portion of the sense strand;

(6) the sense strand comprises at least 65% 2′-O-methyl modifications;

(7) the nucleotides at positions 7, 9, 10, and 11 from 3′ end of the sense strand are not 2′-methoxy-ribonucleotides; and

(8) the nucleotides at positions 1-2 from the 5′ end of the sense strand are connected to each other via phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages; or

G:

(1) the antisense strand comprises a sequence substantially complementary to a PRNP

(2) the antisense strand comprises at least 75% 2′-O-methyl modifications;

(3) the nucleotides at positions 2and 14 from the 5′ end of the antisense strand are not 2′-methoxy-ribonucleotides;

(4) the nucleotides at positions 1-2 to 1-7 from 3′ end of the antisense strand are connected to each other via phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages;

(5) a portion of the antisense strand is complementary to a portion of the sense strand;

(6) the sense strand comprises at least 75% 2′-O-methyl modifications;

(7) the nucleotides at positions 7, 10, and 11 from 3′ end of the sense strand are not 2′-methoxy-ribonucleotides; and

(8) the nucleotides at positions 1-2 from the 5′ end of the sense strand are connected to each other via phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages.

187 . The method of claim 71 , wherein a functional moiety is linked to the 5′ end and/or 3′ end of the antisense strand.

188 . The method of claim 187 , wherein the functional moiety is linked to the antisense strand and/or the sense strand by a linker.