An
RNA interference-based product and method for inhibiting the expression of the double
homeobox 4 (DUX4)
gene on human
chromosome 4q35 are disclosed. The invention comprises the silencing of the Cas13
protein of
RNA, wherein Cas13 is specifically targeted to a DUX4
region of interest using a sequence-specific
guide RNA (gRNA). The recombinant adeno-associated
virus of the invention is constructed with a Cas13
direct repeat sequence and delivers
DNA encoding an inhibitory gRNA that knocks down DUX4 expression. The method is applicable to the treatment of
muscular dystrophy, including but not limited to facial-scapulohumeral
muscle dystrophy (FSHD), and other disorders, including
cancer, associated with elevated DUX4 expression.