Multivalent GU-rich oligonucleotides sequester TDP-43 in the nucleus by inducing high molecular weight RNP complexes

TDP-43 nuclear clearance and cytoplasmic aggregation are hallmarks of TDP-43 proteinopathies. We recently demonstrated that binding to endogenous nuclear GU-rich RNAs sequesters TDP-43 in the nucleus by restricting its passive nuclear export. Here, we tested the feasibility of synthetic RNA oligonucleotide-mediated augmentation of TDP-43 nuclear localization. Using biochemical assays, we compared the ability of GU-rich oligonucleotides to engage in multivalent, RRM-dependent binding with TDP-43. When transfected into cells, (GU)16 attenuated TDP-43 mislocalization induced by transcriptional blockade or RanGAP1 ablation. Clip34nt and (GU)16 accelerated TDP-43 nuclear re-import after cytoplasmic mislocalization. RNA pulldowns confirmed that multivalent GU-oligonucleotides induced high molecular weight RNP complexes, incorporating TDP-43 and possibly other GU-binding proteins. Transfected GU-repeat oligos disrupted TDP-43 cryptic exon repression, likely by diverting TDP-43 from endogenous RNAs, except for Clip34nt that contains interspersed A and C. Thus, exogenous multivalent GU-RNAs can promote TDP-43 nuclear localization, though pure GU-repeat motifs impair TDP-43 function.