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Wang J, Ma X, Hu Y, Feng G, Guo C, Zhang X, Ma H. Regulation of micro- and small-exon retention and other splicing processes by GRP20 for flower development. NATURE PLANTS 2024; 10:66-85. [PMID: 38195906 PMCID: PMC10808074 DOI: 10.1038/s41477-023-01605-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing is crucial for gene expression and depends on the spliceosome and splicing factors. Plant exons have an average size of ~180 nucleotides and typically contain motifs for interactions with spliceosome and splicing factors. Micro exons (<51 nucleotides) are found widely in eukaryotes and in genes for plant development and environmental responses. However, little is known about transcript-specific regulation of splicing in plants and about the regulators for micro exon splicing. Here we report that glycine-rich protein 20 (GRP20) is an RNA-binding protein and required for splicing of ~2,100 genes including those functioning in flower development and/or environmental responses. Specifically, GRP20 is required for micro-exon retention in transcripts of floral homeotic genes; these micro exons are conserved across angiosperms. GRP20 is also important for small-exon (51-100 nucleotides) splicing. In addition, GRP20 is required for flower development. Furthermore, GRP20 binds to poly-purine motifs in micro and small exons and a spliceosome component; both RNA binding and spliceosome interaction are important for flower development and micro-exon retention. Our results provide new insights into the mechanisms of micro-exon retention in flower development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- Department of Biology, Eberly College of Science, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Xinwei Ma
- Department of Biology, Eberly College of Science, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Yi Hu
- Department of Biology, Eberly College of Science, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Guanhua Feng
- Department of Biology, Eberly College of Science, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Chunce Guo
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Bamboo Germplasm Resources and Utilization, Forestry College, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eberly College of Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Hong Ma
- Department of Biology, Eberly College of Science, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
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2
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Hatch ST, Smargon AA, Yeo GW. Engineered U1 snRNAs to modulate alternatively spliced exons. Methods 2022; 205:140-148. [PMID: 35764245 PMCID: PMC11185844 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2022.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing accounts for a considerable portion of transcriptomic diversity, as most protein-coding genes are spliced into multiple mRNA isoforms. However, errors in splicing patterns can give rise to mis-splicing with pathological consequences, such as the congenital diseases familial dysautonomia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and spinal muscular atrophy. Small nuclear RNA (snRNA) components of the U snRNP family have been proposed as a therapeutic modality for the treatment of mis-splicing. U1 snRNAs offer great promise, with prior studies demonstrating in vivo efficacy, suggesting additional preclinical development is merited. Improvements in enabling technologies, including screening methodologies, gene delivery vectors, and relevant considerations from gene editing approaches justify further advancement of U1 snRNA as a therapeutic and research tool. With the goal of providing a user-friendly protocol, we compile and demonstrate a methodological toolkit for sequence-specific targeted perturbation of alternatively spliced pre-mRNA with engineered U1 snRNAs. We observe robust modulation of endogenous pre-mRNA transcripts targeted in two contrasting splicing contexts, SMN2 exon 7 and FAS exon 6, exhibiting the utility and applicability of engineered U1 snRNA to both inclusion and exclusion of targeted exons. We anticipate that these demonstrations will contribute to the usability of U1 snRNA in investigating splicing modulation in eukaryotic cells, increasing accessibility to the broader research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel T Hatch
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, USA; Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Aaron A Smargon
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, USA; Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gene W Yeo
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Stem Cell Program, University of California San Diego, Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, La Jolla, USA; Institute for Genomic Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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3
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Jobbins AM, Campagne S, Weinmeister R, Lucas CM, Gosliga AR, Clery A, Chen L, Eperon LP, Hodson MJ, Hudson AJ, Allain FHT, Eperon IC. Exon-independent recruitment of SRSF1 is mediated by U1 snRNP stem-loop 3. EMBO J 2022; 41:e107640. [PMID: 34779515 PMCID: PMC8724738 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2021107640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
SRSF1 protein and U1 snRNPs are closely connected splicing factors. They both stimulate exon inclusion, SRSF1 by binding to exonic splicing enhancer sequences (ESEs) and U1 snRNPs by binding to the downstream 5' splice site (SS), and both factors affect 5' SS selection. The binding of U1 snRNPs initiates spliceosome assembly, but SR proteins such as SRSF1 can in some cases substitute for it. The mechanistic basis of this relationship is poorly understood. We show here by single-molecule methods that a single molecule of SRSF1 can be recruited by a U1 snRNP. This reaction is independent of exon sequences and separate from the U1-independent process of binding to an ESE. Structural analysis and cross-linking data show that SRSF1 contacts U1 snRNA stem-loop 3, which is required for splicing. We suggest that the recruitment of SRSF1 to a U1 snRNP at a 5'SS is the basis for exon definition by U1 snRNP and might be one of the principal functions of U1 snRNPs in the core reactions of splicing in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Jobbins
- Leicester Institute of Structural & Chemical Biology and Department of Molecular & Cell BiologyUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
- Present address:
MRC London Institute of Medical SciencesLondonUK
- Present address:
Institute of Clinical SciencesImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Sébastien Campagne
- Institute of BiochemistryETH ZürichSwitzerland
- Present address:
Inserm U1212CNRS UMR5320ARNA LaboratoryBordeaux CedexFrance
| | - Robert Weinmeister
- Leicester Institute of Structural & Chemical Biology and Department of Molecular & Cell BiologyUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
- Leicester Institute of Structural & Chemical Biology and Department of ChemistryUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
| | - Christian M Lucas
- Leicester Institute of Structural & Chemical Biology and Department of Molecular & Cell BiologyUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
| | - Alison R Gosliga
- Leicester Institute of Structural & Chemical Biology and Department of Molecular & Cell BiologyUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
- Present address:
Institut für Industrielle GenetikAbt.(eilung) SystembiologieUniversität StuttgartStuttgartGermany
| | | | - Li Chen
- Leicester Institute of Structural & Chemical Biology and Department of Molecular & Cell BiologyUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
| | - Lucy P Eperon
- Leicester Institute of Structural & Chemical Biology and Department of Molecular & Cell BiologyUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
| | - Mark J Hodson
- Leicester Institute of Structural & Chemical Biology and Department of Molecular & Cell BiologyUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
| | - Andrew J Hudson
- Leicester Institute of Structural & Chemical Biology and Department of ChemistryUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
| | | | - Ian C Eperon
- Leicester Institute of Structural & Chemical Biology and Department of Molecular & Cell BiologyUniversity of LeicesterLeicesterUK
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4
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Schäfer GG, Grebe LJ, Schinkel R, Lieb B. The Evolution of Hemocyanin Genes in Caenogastropoda: Gene Duplications and Intron Accumulation in Highly Diverse Gastropods. J Mol Evol 2021; 89:639-655. [PMID: 34757470 PMCID: PMC8599328 DOI: 10.1007/s00239-021-10036-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Hemocyanin is the oxygen transport protein of most molluscs and represents an important physiological factor that has to be well-adapted to their environments because of the strong influences of abiotic factors on its oxygen affinity. Multiple independent gene duplications and intron gains have been reported for hemocyanin genes of Tectipleura (Heterobranchia) and the caenogastropod species Pomacea canaliculata, which contrast with the uniform gene architectures of hemocyanins in Vetigastropoda. The goal of this study was to analyze hemocyanin gene evolution within the diverse group of Caenogastropoda in more detail. Our findings reveal multiple gene duplications and intron gains and imply that these represent general features of Apogastropoda hemocyanins. Whereas hemocyanin exon–intron structures are identical within different Tectipleura lineages, they differ strongly within Caenogastropoda among phylogenetic groups as well as between paralogous hemocyanin genes of the same species. Thus, intron accumulation took place more gradually within Caenogastropoda but finally led to a similar consequence, namely, a multitude of introns. Since both phenomena occurred independently within Heterobranchia and Caenogastropoda, the results support the hypothesis that introns may contribute to adaptive radiation by offering new opportunities for genetic variability (multiple paralogs that may evolve differently) and regulation (multiple introns). Our study indicates that adaptation of hemocyanin genes may be one of several factors that contributed to the evolution of the large diversity of Apogastropoda. While questions remain, this hypothesis is presented as a starting point for the further study of hemocyanin genes and possible correlations between hemocyanin diversity and adaptive radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Giannina Schäfer
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 7, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Lukas Jörg Grebe
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 7, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Robin Schinkel
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 7, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Bernhard Lieb
- Institute of Molecular Physiology, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Johann-Joachim-Becher-Weg 7, 55128, Mainz, Germany.
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5
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Comprehensive genomic analyses with 115 plastomes from algae to seed plants: structure, gene contents, GC contents, and introns. Genes Genomics 2020; 42:553-570. [PMID: 32200544 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-020-00923-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chloroplasts are a common character in plants. The chloroplasts in each plant lineage have shaped their own genomes, plastomes, by structural changes and transferring many genes to nuclear genomes during plant evolution. Some plastid genes have introns that are mostly group II introns. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to get genomic and evolutionary insights on the plastomes from green algae to flowering plants. METHODS Plastomes of 115 species from green algae, bryophytes, pteridophytes (spore bearing vascular plants), gymnosperms, and angiosperms were mined from NCBI organelle genome database. Plastome structure, gene contents and GC contents were analyzed by the in-house developed Phyton code. Intronic features including presence/absence, length, intron phases were analyzed by manually in the annotated information in NCBI. RESULTS The canonical quadripartite structures were retained in most plastomes except of a few plastomes that had lost an invert repeat (IR). Expansion or reduction or deletion of IRs resulted in the length variation of the plastomes. The number of protein coding genes ranged from 40 to 92 with an average 79.43 ± 5.84 per plastome and gene losses were apparent in specific lineages. The number of trn genes ranged from 13 to 33 with an average 21.19 ± 2.42 per plastome. Ribosomal RNA genes, rrn, were located in the IRs so that they were present in a duplicate except of the species that had lost one of the IR. GC contents were variable from 24.9 to 51.0% with an average 38.21 ± 3.27%, indicating bias to high AT contents. Plastid introns were present in 18 protein coding genes, six trn genes, and one rrn gene. Intron losses occurred among the orthologous genes in different plant lineages. The plastid introns were long compared with the nuclear introns, which might be related with the spliceosome nuclear introns and self-splicing group II plastid introns. The trnK-UUU intron contained the maturase encoding matK gene except in the chlorophyte algae and monilophyte ferns in which the trnK-UUU was lost, but matK retained. There were many annotation artefacts in the intron positions in the NCBI database. In the analysis of intron phases, phase 0 introns were more frequent than those of phase 2 and 3 introns. Phase polymorphism was observed in the introns of clpP which was derived from nucleotide insertion. Plastid trn introns were long compared to the archaeal or eukaryotic nuclear tRNA introns. Of the six plastid trn introns, one was at the D loop and other five were at the anticodon loop. The insertion sites were conserved among the trn genes in archaea, eukaryotic nuclear and plastid tRNA genes. CONCLUSIONS Current study refurbrished the previous findings of structural variations, gene contents, and GC contents of the chloroplast genomes from green algae to flowering plants. The study also included some noble findings and discussions on the plastome introns including their length variations and phase variation. We also presented and corrected some false annotations on the introns in protein coding and tRNA genes in the genome database, which might be confirmed by the chloroplast transcriptome analysis in the future.
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6
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Coutinho MF, Matos L, Santos JI, Alves S. RNA Therapeutics: How Far Have We Gone? ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1157:133-177. [PMID: 31342441 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-19966-1_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the RNA molecule became one of the most promising targets for therapeutic intervention. Currently, a large number of RNA-based therapeutics are being investigated both at the basic research level and in late-stage clinical trials. Some of them are even already approved for treatment. RNA-based approaches can act at pre-mRNA level (by splicing modulation/correction using antisense oligonucleotides or U1snRNA vectors), at mRNA level (inhibiting gene expression by siRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides) or at DNA level (by editing mutated sequences through the use of CRISPR/Cas). Other RNA approaches include the delivery of in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA or the use of oligonucleotides aptamers. Here we review these approaches and their translation into clinics trying to give a brief overview also on the difficulties to its application as well as the research that is being done to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Francisca Coutinho
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal
| | - Liliana Matos
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal
| | - Juliana Inês Santos
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Alves
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Porto, Portugal.
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7
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Mathur M, Kim CM, Munro SA, Rudina SS, Sawyer EM, Smolke CD. Programmable mutually exclusive alternative splicing for generating RNA and protein diversity. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2673. [PMID: 31209208 PMCID: PMC6572816 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10403-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing performs a central role in expanding genomic coding capacity and proteomic diversity. However, programming of splicing patterns in engineered biological systems remains underused. Synthetic approaches thus far have predominantly focused on controlling expression of a single protein through alternative splicing. Here, we describe a modular and extensible platform for regulating four programmable exons that undergo a mutually exclusive alternative splicing event to generate multiple functionally-distinct proteins. We present an intron framework that enforces the mutual exclusivity of two internal exons and demonstrate a graded series of consensus sequence elements of varying strengths that set the ratio of two mutually exclusive isoforms. We apply this framework to program the DNA-binding domains of modular transcription factors to differentially control downstream gene activation. This splicing platform advances an approach for generating diverse isoforms and can ultimately be applied to program modular proteins and increase coding capacity of synthetic biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Mathur
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Cameron M Kim
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Sarah A Munro
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Joint Initiative for Metrology in Biology, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Genome-scale Measurements Group, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Shireen S Rudina
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Eric M Sawyer
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Christina D Smolke
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, 94158, USA.
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8
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Singh NN, Del Rio-Malewski JB, Luo D, Ottesen EW, Howell MD, Singh RN. Activation of a cryptic 5' splice site reverses the impact of pathogenic splice site mutations in the spinal muscular atrophy gene. Nucleic Acids Res 2017; 45:12214-12240. [PMID: 28981879 PMCID: PMC5716214 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by deletions or mutations of the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene coupled with predominant skipping of SMN2 exon 7. The only approved SMA treatment is an antisense oligonucleotide that targets the intronic splicing silencer N1 (ISS-N1), located downstream of the 5' splice site (5'ss) of exon 7. Here, we describe a novel approach to exon 7 splicing modulation through activation of a cryptic 5'ss (Cr1). We discovered the activation of Cr1 in transcripts derived from SMN1 that carries a pathogenic G-to-C mutation at the first position (G1C) of intron 7. We show that Cr1-activating engineered U1 snRNAs (eU1s) have the unique ability to reprogram pre-mRNA splicing and restore exon 7 inclusion in SMN1 carrying a broad spectrum of pathogenic mutations at both the 3'ss and 5'ss of the exon 7. Employing a splicing-coupled translation reporter, we demonstrate that mRNAs generated by an eU1-induced activation of Cr1 produce full-length SMN. Our findings underscore a wider role for U1 snRNP in splicing regulation and reveal a novel approach for the restoration of SMN exon 7 inclusion for a potential therapy of SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia N Singh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - José Bruno Del Rio-Malewski
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.,Interdepartmental Genetics and Genomics Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Diou Luo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Eric W Ottesen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Matthew D Howell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Ravindra N Singh
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.,Interdepartmental Genetics and Genomics Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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9
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Abstract
More than 15% of all disease-causing mutations result in mRNA splicing defects. U1 snRNA binds to the 5' splice site (5'ss) through base pairing. Mutation-adapted U1 snRNA (with compensatory U1 snRNA changes) and exon-specific U1 snRNA (complementary to intronic sequences) have been shown to suppress 5'ss mutations in cellular and animal models. Areas covered: The history, mechanism of action, and efficacy of U1 snRNA-mediated gene therapy are covered. The clinical utility of this technology and its limitations will be discussed. Expert commentary: Recently, gene therapies with mutation-adapted U1 snRNAs have been conducted on animal models, including aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency and spinal muscular atrophy. However, although U1-mediated therapy has the advantage of maintaining the regulated expression of defective genes, its accuracy and efficacy needs to be improved before clinical application of this technique is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuh-Liang Hwu
- a Department of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics , National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine , Taipei , Taiwan
| | - Yu-May Lee
- a Department of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics , National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine , Taipei , Taiwan
| | - Ni-Chung Lee
- a Department of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics , National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine , Taipei , Taiwan
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10
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Guo L, Liu CM. A single-nucleotide exon found in Arabidopsis. Sci Rep 2015; 5:18087. [PMID: 26657562 PMCID: PMC4674806 DOI: 10.1038/srep18087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of introns in gene-coding regions is one of the most mysterious evolutionary inventions in eukaryotic organisms. It has been proposed that, although sequences involved in intron recognition and splicing are mainly located in introns, exonic sequences also contribute to intron splicing. The smallest constitutively spliced exon known so far has 6 nucleotides, and the smallest alternatively spliced exon has 3 nucleotides. Here we report that the Anaphase Promoting Complex subunit 11 (APC11) gene in Arabidopsis thaliana carries a constitutive single-nucleotide exon. In vivo transcription and translation assays performed using APC11-Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) fusion constructs revealed that intron splicing surrounding the single-nucleotide exon is effective in both Arabidopsis and rice. This discovery warrants attention to genome annotations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
- Graduate University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chun-Ming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Plant Molecular Physiology, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
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11
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Arias MA, Lubkin A, Chasin LA. Splicing of designer exons informs a biophysical model for exon definition. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2015; 21:213-229. [PMID: 25492963 PMCID: PMC4338349 DOI: 10.1261/rna.048009.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Pre-mRNA molecules in humans contain mostly short internal exons flanked by longer introns. To explain the removal of such introns, exon recognition instead of intron recognition has been proposed. We studied this exon definition using designer exons (DEs) made up of three prototype modules of our own design: an exonic splicing enhancer (ESE), an exonic splicing silencer (ESS), and a Reference Sequence (R) predicted to be neither. Each DE was examined as the central exon in a three-exon minigene. DEs made of R modules showed a sharp size dependence, with exons shorter than 14 nt and longer than 174 nt splicing poorly. Changing the strengths of the splice sites improved longer exon splicing but worsened shorter exon splicing, effectively displacing the curve to the right. For the ESE we found, unexpectedly, that its enhancement efficiency was independent of its position within the exon. For the ESS we found a step-wise positional increase in its effects; it was most effective at the 3' end of the exon. To apply these results quantitatively, we developed a biophysical model for exon definition of internal exons undergoing cotranscriptional splicing. This model features commitment to inclusion before the downstream exon is synthesized and competition between skipping and inclusion fates afterward. Collision of both exon ends to form an exon definition complex was incorporated to account for the effect of size; ESE/ESS effects were modeled on the basis of stabilization/destabilization. This model accurately predicted the outcome of independent experiments on more complex DEs that combined ESEs and ESSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio A Arias
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
| | - Ashira Lubkin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
| | - Lawrence A Chasin
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
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12
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Turunen JJ, Verma B, Nyman TA, Frilander MJ. HnRNPH1/H2, U1 snRNP, and U11 snRNP cooperate to regulate the stability of the U11-48K pre-mRNA. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2013; 19:380-9. [PMID: 23335637 PMCID: PMC3677248 DOI: 10.1261/rna.036715.112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a major contributor to proteome diversity, but it also regulates gene expression by introducing premature termination codons (PTCs) that destabilize transcripts, typically via the nonsense-mediated decay (NMD) pathway. Such AS events often take place within long, conserved sequence elements, particularly in genes encoding various RNA binding proteins. AS-NMD is often activated by the protein encoded by the same gene, leading to a self-regulating feedback loop that maintains constant protein levels. However, cross-regulation between different RNA binding proteins is also common, giving rise to finely tuned regulatory networks. Recently, we described a feedback mechanism regulating two protein components of the U12-dependent spliceosome (U11-48K and U11/U12-65K) through a highly conserved sequence element. These elements contain a U11 snRNP-binding splicing enhancer (USSE), which, through the U11 snRNP, activates an upstream U2-type 3'ss, resulting in the degradation of the U11-48K mRNA by AS-NMD. Through phylogenetic analysis, we now identify a G-rich sequence element that is conserved in fishes as well as mammals. We show that this element binds hnRNPF/H proteins in vitro. Knockdown of hnRNPH1/H2 or mutations in the G-run both lead to enhanced activation of the 3'ss in vivo, suggesting that hnRNPH1/H2 proteins counteract the 3'ss activation. Furthermore, we provide evidence that U1 binding immediately downstream from the G-run similarly counteracts the U11-mediated activation of the alternative 3'ss. Thus, our results elucidate the mechanism in which snRNPs from both spliceosomes together with hnRNPH1/H2 proteins regulate the recognition and activation of the highly conserved alternative splice sites within the U11-48K pre-mRNA.
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13
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Mucaki EJ, Shirley BC, Rogan PK. Prediction of mutant mRNA splice isoforms by information theory-based exon definition. Hum Mutat 2013; 34:557-65. [PMID: 23348723 DOI: 10.1002/humu.22277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2012] [Accepted: 01/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Mutations that affect mRNA splicing often produce multiple mRNA isoforms, resulting in complex molecular phenotypes. Definition of an exon and its inclusion in mature mRNA relies on joint recognition of both acceptor and donor splice sites. This study predicts cryptic and exon-skipping isoforms in mRNA produced by splicing mutations from the combined information contents (R(i), which measures binding-site strength, in bits) and distribution of the splice sites defining these exons. The total information content of an exon (R(i),total) is the sum of the R(i) values of its acceptor and donor splice sites, adjusted for the self-information of the distance separating these sites, that is, the gap surprisal. Differences between total information contents of an exon (ΔR(i,total)) are predictive of the relative abundance of these exons in distinct processed mRNAs. Constraints on splice site and exon selection are used to eliminate nonconforming and poorly expressed isoforms. Molecular phenotypes are computed by the Automated Splice Site and Exon Definition Analysis (http://splice.uwo.ca) server. Predictions of splicing mutations were highly concordant (85.2%; n = 61) with published expression data. In silico exon definition analysis will contribute to streamlining assessment of abnormal and normal splice isoforms resulting from mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliseos J Mucaki
- Department of Biochemistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Fernandez Alanis E, Pinotti M, Dal Mas A, Balestra D, Cavallari N, Rogalska ME, Bernardi F, Pagani F. An exon-specific U1 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) strategy to correct splicing defects. Hum Mol Genet 2012; 21:2389-98. [PMID: 22362925 PMCID: PMC3349419 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/dds045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant proportion of disease-causing mutations affect precursor-mRNA splicing, inducing skipping of the exon from the mature transcript. Using F9 exon 5, CFTR exon 12 and SMN2 exon 7 models, we characterized natural mutations associated to exon skipping in Haemophilia B, cystic fibrosis and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), respectively, and the therapeutic splicing rescue by using U1 small nuclear RNA (snRNA). In minigene expression systems, loading of U1 snRNA by complementarity to the normal or mutated donor splice sites (5′ss) corrected the exon skipping caused by mutations at the polypyrimidine tract of the acceptor splice site, at the consensus 5′ss or at exonic regulatory elements. To improve specificity and reduce potential off-target effects, we developed U1 snRNA variants targeting non-conserved intronic sequences downstream of the 5′ss. For each gene system, we identified an exon-specific U1 snRNA (ExSpeU1) able to rescue splicing impaired by the different types of mutations. Through splicing-competent cDNA constructs, we demonstrated that the ExSpeU1-mediated splicing correction of several F9 mutations results in complete restoration of secreted functional factor IX levels. Furthermore, two ExSpeU1s for SMA improved SMN exon 7 splicing in the chromosomal context of normal cells. We propose ExSpeU1s as a novel therapeutic strategy to correct, in several human disorders, different types of splicing mutations associated with defective exon definition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Fernandez Alanis
- Human Molecular Genetics, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
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15
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Churbanov A, Vorechovský I, Hicks C. A method of predicting changes in human gene splicing induced by genetic variants in context of cis-acting elements. BMC Bioinformatics 2010; 11:22. [PMID: 20067640 PMCID: PMC3098058 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-11-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2009] [Accepted: 01/12/2010] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Polymorphic variants and mutations disrupting canonical splicing isoforms are among the leading causes of human hereditary disorders. While there is a substantial evidence of aberrant splicing causing Mendelian diseases, the implication of such events in multi-genic disorders is yet to be well understood. We have developed a new tool (SpliceScan II) for predicting the effects of genetic variants on splicing and cis-regulatory elements. The novel Bayesian non-canonical 5'GC splice site (SS) sensor used in our tool allows inference on non-canonical exons. Results Our tool performed favorably when compared with the existing methods in the context of genes linked to the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). SpliceScan II was able to predict more aberrant splicing isoforms triggered by the mutations, as documented in DBASS5 and DBASS3 aberrant splicing databases, than other existing methods. Detrimental effects behind some of the polymorphic variations previously associated with Alzheimer's and breast cancer could be explained by changes in predicted splicing patterns. Conclusions We have developed SpliceScan II, an effective and sensitive tool for predicting the detrimental effects of genomic variants on splicing leading to Mendelian and complex hereditary disorders. The method could potentially be used to screen resequenced patient DNA to identify de novo mutations and polymorphic variants that could contribute to a genetic disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Churbanov
- New Mexico State University, Biology Dept., MSC 3AF, PO Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA.
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16
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Zhang XHF, Arias MA, Ke S, Chasin LA. Splicing of designer exons reveals unexpected complexity in pre-mRNA splicing. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2009; 15:367-76. [PMID: 19155327 PMCID: PMC2657016 DOI: 10.1261/rna.1498509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2008] [Accepted: 12/04/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Pre-messengerRNA (mRNA) splicing requires the accurate recognition of splice sites by the cellular RNA processing machinery. In addition to sequences that comprise the branchpoint and the 3' and 5' splice sites, the cellular splicing machinery relies on additional information in the form of exonic and intronic splicing enhancer and silencer sequences. The high abundance of these motifs makes it difficult to investigate their effects using standard genetic perturbations, since their disruption often leads to the formation of yet new elements. To lessen this problem, we have designed synthetic exons comprised of multiple copies of a single prototypical exonic enhancer and a single prototypical exonic silencer sequence separated by neutral spacer sequences. The spacer sequences buffer the exon against the formation of new elements as the number and order of the original elements are varied. Over 100 such designer exons were constructed by random ligation of enhancer, silencer, and neutral elements. Each exon was positioned as the central exon in a 3-exon minigene and tested for exon inclusion after transient transfection. The level of inclusion of the test exons was seen to be dependent on the provision of enhancers and could be decreased by the provision of silencers. In general, there was a good quantitative correlation between the proportion of enhancers and splicing. However, widely varying inclusion levels could be produced by different permutations of the enhancer and silencer elements, indicating that even in this simplified system splicing decisions rest on complex interplays of yet to be determined parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang H-F Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
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17
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Roy SW, Irimia M. Mystery of intron gain: new data and new models. Trends Genet 2008; 25:67-73. [PMID: 19070397 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2008.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2008] [Revised: 11/18/2008] [Accepted: 11/18/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite their ubiquity, the mechanisms and evolutionary forces responsible for the origins of spliceosomal introns remain mysterious. Recent molecular evidence supports the idea that intronic RNAs can reverse splice into RNA transcripts, a crucial step for an influential model of intron gain. However, a paradox attends this model because the rate of intron gain is expected to be orders of magnitude lower than the rate of intron loss in general, in contrast to findings from several lineages. We suggest two possible resolutions to this paradox, based on steric considerations and on the possibility of co-option by specific introns of retroelement transposition pathways, respectively. In addition, we introduce two potential mechanisms for intron creation, based on hybrid RNA-DNA reverse splicing and on template switching errors by reverse transcriptase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott William Roy
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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18
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Krauss V, Thümmler C, Georgi F, Lehmann J, Stadler PF, Eisenhardt C. Near Intron Positions Are Reliable Phylogenetic Markers: An Application to Holometabolous Insects. Mol Biol Evol 2008; 25:821-30. [DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msn013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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19
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Borensztajn K, Sobrier ML, Duquesnoy P, Fischer AM, Tapon-Bretaudière J, Amselem S. Oriented scanning is the leading mechanism underlying 5' splice site selection in mammals. PLoS Genet 2006; 2:e138. [PMID: 16948532 PMCID: PMC1557585 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.0020138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2005] [Accepted: 07/20/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Splice site selection is a key element of pre-mRNA splicing. Although it is known to involve specific recognition of short consensus sequences by the splicing machinery, the mechanisms by which 5′ splice sites are accurately identified remain controversial and incompletely resolved. The human F7 gene contains in its seventh intron (IVS7) a 37-bp VNTR minisatellite whose first element spans the exon7–IVS7 boundary. As a consequence, the IVS7 authentic donor splice site is followed by several cryptic splice sites identical in sequence, referred to as 5′ pseudo-sites, which normally remain silent. This region, therefore, provides a remarkable model to decipher the mechanism underlying 5′ splice site selection in mammals. We previously suggested a model for splice site selection that, in the presence of consecutive splice consensus sequences, would stimulate exclusively the selection of the most upstream 5′ splice site, rather than repressing the 3′ following pseudo-sites. In the present study, we provide experimental support to this hypothesis by using a mutational approach involving a panel of 50 mutant and wild-type F7 constructs expressed in various cell types. We demonstrate that the F7 IVS7 5′ pseudo-sites are functional, but do not compete with the authentic donor splice site. Moreover, we show that the selection of the 5′ splice site follows a scanning-type mechanism, precluding competition with other functional 5′ pseudo-sites available on immediate sequence context downstream of the activated one. In addition, 5′ pseudo-sites with an increased complementarity to U1snRNA up to 91% do not compete with the identified scanning mechanism. Altogether, these findings, which unveil a cell type–independent 5′−3′-oriented scanning process for accurate recognition of the authentic 5′ splice site, reconciliate apparently contradictory observations by establishing a hierarchy of competitiveness among the determinants involved in 5′ splice site selection. Typically, mammalian genes contain coding sequences (exons) separated by non-coding sequences (introns). Introns are removed during pre-mRNA splicing. The accurate recognition of introns during splicing is essential, as any abnormality in that process will generate abnormal mRNAs that can cause diseases. Understanding the mechanisms of accurate splice site selection is of prime interest to life scientists. Exon–intron borders (splice sites) are defined by short sequences that are poorly conserved. The strength of any splice sequence can be assessed by its degree of homology with a splice site consensus sequence. Within exons and introns, several sequences can match with this consensus as well as or better than the splice sites. Using a system in which a splice site sequence is repeated several times in the intron, the authors showed that linear 5′−3′ search is a leading mechanism underlying splice site selection. This scanning mechanism is cell type–independent, and only the most upstream splice site of all the series is selected, even if splice sites with a better match to the consensus are in the vicinity. These findings reconciliate contradictory observations and establish a hierarchy among the determinants involved in splice site selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keren Borensztajn
- Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Descartes, INSERM U428, Paris, France
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: (KB); (SA)
| | | | | | - Anne-Marie Fischer
- Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Descartes, INSERM U428, Paris, France
| | | | - Serge Amselem
- Hôpital Henri-Mondor, INSERM U654, Créteil, France
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: (KB); (SA)
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Lewandowska MA, Stuani C, Parvizpur A, Baralle FE, Pagani F. Functional studies on the ATM intronic splicing processing element. Nucleic Acids Res 2005; 33:4007-15. [PMID: 16030351 PMCID: PMC1178006 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gki710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In disease-associated genes, the understanding of the functional significance of deep intronic nucleotide variants may represent a difficult challenge. We have previously reported a new disease-causing mechanism that involves an intronic splicing processing element (ISPE) in ATM, composed of adjacent consensus 5′ and 3′ splice sites. A GTAA deletion within ISPE maintains potential adjacent splice sites, disrupts a non-canonical U1 snRNP interaction and activates an aberrant exon. In this paper, we demonstrate that binding of U1 snRNA through complementarity within a ∼40 nt window downstream of the ISPE prevents aberrant splicing. By selective mutagenesis at the adjacent consensus ISPE splice sites, we show that this effect is not due to a resplicing process occurring at the ISPE. Functional comparison of the ATM mouse counterpart and evaluation of the pre-mRNA splicing intermediates derived from affected cell lines and hybrid minigene assays indicate that U1 snRNP binding at the ISPE interferes with the cryptic acceptor site. Activation of this site results in a stringent 5′–3′ order of intron sequence removal around the cryptic exon. Artificial U1 snRNA loading by complementarity to heterologous exonic sequences represents a potential therapeutic method to prevent the usage of an aberrant CFTR cryptic exon. Our results suggest that ISPE-like intronic elements binding U1 snRNPs may regulate correct intron processing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Franco Pagani
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +39 040 3757312; Fax: +39 040 226555;
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21
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Krauss V, Pecyna M, Kurz K, Sass H. Phylogenetic Mapping of Intron Positions: A Case Study of Translation Initiation Factor eIF2γ. Mol Biol Evol 2004; 22:74-84. [PMID: 15356279 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msh255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2) is a G protein that delivers the methionyl initiator tRNA to the small ribosomal subunit and releases it upon GTP hydrolysis after the recognition of the initiation codon. eIF2 is composed of three subunits, alpha, beta, and gamma. Subunit gamma shows the strongest conservation, and it confers both tRNA and GTP/GDP binding. Using intron positioning and protein sequence alignment, here we show that eIF2gamma is a suitable phylogenetic marker for eukaryotes. We determined or completed the sequences of 13 arthropod eIF2gamma genes. Analyzing the phylogenetic distribution of 52 different intron positions in 55 distantly related eIF2gamma genes, we identified ancient ones and shared derived introns in our data set. Obviously, intron positioning in eIF2gamma is evolutionarily conserved. However, there were episodes of complete and partial intron losses followed by intron gains. We identified 17 clusters of intron positions based on their distribution. The evolution of these clusters appears to be connected with preferred exon length and can be used to estimate the relative timing of intron gain because nearby precursor introns had to be erased from the gene before the new introns could be inserted. Moreover, we identified a putative case of intron sliding that constitutes a synapomorphic character state supporting monophyly of Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and Diptera excluding Hymenoptera. We also performed tree reconstructions using the eIF2gamma protein sequences and intron positioning as phylogenetic information. Our results support the monophyly of Viridoplantae, Ascomycota, Homobasidiomyceta, and Apicomplexa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veiko Krauss
- Department of Genetics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
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22
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Ptak SE, Petrov DA. How intron splicing affects the deletion and insertion profile in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 2002; 162:1233-44. [PMID: 12454069 PMCID: PMC1462315 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/162.3.1233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of "dead-on-arrival" transposable elements in Drosophila melanogaster found that deletions outnumber insertions approximately 8:1 with a median size for deletions of approximately 10 bp. These results are consistent with the deletion and insertion profiles found in most other Drosophila pseudogenes. In contrast, a recent study of D. melanogaster introns found a deletion/insertion ratio of 1.35:1, with 84% of deletions being shorter than 10 bp. This discrepancy could be explained if deletions, especially long deletions, are more frequently strongly deleterious than insertions and are eliminated disproportionately from intron sequences. To test this possibility, we use analysis and simulations to examine how deletions and insertions of different lengths affect different components of splicing and determine the distribution of deletions and insertions that preserve the original exons. We find that, consistent with our predictions, longer deletions affect splicing at a much higher rate compared to insertions and short deletions. We also explore other potential constraints in introns and show that most of these also disproportionately affect large deletions. Altogether we demonstrate that constraints in introns may explain much of the difference in the pattern of deletions and insertions observed in Drosophila introns and pseudogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Ptak
- Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, California 94305, USA.
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23
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Pagani F, Buratti E, Stuani C, Bendix R, Dörk T, Baralle FE. A new type of mutation causes a splicing defect in ATM. Nat Genet 2002; 30:426-9. [PMID: 11889466 DOI: 10.1038/ng858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Disease-causing splicing mutations described in the literature primarily produce changes in splice sites and, to a lesser extent, variations in exon-regulatory sequences such as the enhancer elements. The gene ATM is mutated in individuals with ataxia-telangiectasia; we have identified the aberrant inclusion of a cryptic exon of 65 bp in one affected individual with a deletion of four nucleotides (GTAA) in intron 20. The deletion is located 12 bp downstream and 53 bp upstream from the 5' and 3' ends of the cryptic exon, respectively. Through analysis of the splicing defect using a hybrid minigene system, we identified a new intron-splicing processing element (ISPE) complementary to U1 snRNA, the RNA component of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP). This element mediates accurate intron processing and interacts specifically with U1 snRNP particles. The 4-nt deletion completely abolished this interaction, causing activation of the cryptic exon. On the basis of this analysis, we describe a new type of U1 snRNP binding site in an intron that is essential for accurate intron removal. Deletion of this sequence is directly involved in the splicing processing defect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Pagani
- Molecular Pathology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Trieste, Italy
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24
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Abstract
Alternative splicing of the primary RNA transcript is a common mechanism for generating protein diversity. A model system was developed to study this process in vitro that is useful for evaluation of splicing of transcripts expressed in cells that do not grow well in culture. The system was used to analyze skipping of exon 4 of the amelogenin message, normally expressed in ameloblast cells for a short interval during tooth enamel development. Amelogenins are highly conserved proteins resulting from extensive alternative splicing, with domains involved in a range of functions, including mineral formation and intercellular signaling. In the bovine gene, the very short intron 4 was predicted to inhibit inclusion of exon 4, because in murine ameloblasts, exon 4 is detectably included in mRNA, and intron 4 is longer than the bovine counterpart. Bovine intron 4 was lengthened, and this size increase enhanced exon 4 inclusion sixfold to eightfold, although splice site selection was inaccurate. Intron length, therefore, is not the sole determinant controlling amelogenin exon 4 inclusion, and cis-acting inhibitory elements may also be involved in exon skipping. This vector system allows evaluation of splicing of a tissue-specific RNA by focusing on exons of interest through transfection of heterologous cultured cells without complications attributable to background transcription of the gene being evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z A Yuan
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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25
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Abstract
Mammalian genes are characterized by relatively small exons surrounded by variable lengths of intronic sequence. Sequences similar to the splice signals that define the 5' and 3' boundaries of these exons are also present in abundance throughout the surrounding introns. What causes the real sites to be distinguished from the multitude of pseudosites in pre-mRNA is unclear. Much progress has been made in defining additional sequence elements that enhance the use of particular sites. Less work has been done on sequences that repress the use of particular splice sites. To find additional examples of sequences that inhibit splicing, we searched human genomic DNA libraries for sequences that would inhibit the inclusion of a constitutively spliced exon. Genetic selection experiments suggested that such sequences were common, and we subsequently tested randomly chosen restriction fragments of about 100 bp. When inserted into the central exon of a three-exon minigene, about one in three inhibited inclusion, revealing a high frequency of inhibitory elements in human DNA. In contrast, only 1 in 27 Escherichia coli DNA fragments was inhibitory. Several previously identified silencing elements derived from alternatively spliced exons functioned weakly in this constitutively spliced exon. In contrast, a high-affinity site for U2AF65 strongly inhibited exon inclusion. Together, our results suggest that splicing occurs in a background of repression and, since many of our inhibitors contain splice like signals, we suggest that repression of some pseudosites may occur through an inhibitory arrangement of these sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- W G Fairbrother
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA
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Simpson CG, Hedley PE, Watters JA, Clark GP, McQuade C, Machray GC, Brown JW. Requirements for mini-exon inclusion in potato invertase mRNAs provides evidence for exon-scanning interactions in plants. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2000; 6:422-33. [PMID: 10744026 PMCID: PMC1369924 DOI: 10.1017/s1355838200992173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Invertases are responsible for the breakdown of sucrose to fructose and glucose. In all but one plant invertase gene, the second exon is only 9 nt in length and encodes three amino acids of a five-amino-acid sequence that is highly conserved in all invertases of plant origin. Sequences responsible for normal splicing (inclusion) of exon 2 have been investigated in vivo using the potato invertase, invGF gene. The upstream intron 1 is required for inclusion whereas the downstream intron 2 is not. Mutations within intron 1 have identified two sequence elements that are needed for inclusion: a putative branchpoint sequence and an adjacent U-rich region. Both are recognized plant intron splicing signals. The branchpoint sequence lies further upstream from the 3' splice site of intron 1 than is normally seen in plant introns. All dicotyledonous plant invertase genes contain this arrangement of sequence elements: a distal branchpoint sequence and adjacent, downstream U-rich region. Intron 1 sequences upstream of the branchpoint and sequences in exons 1, 2, or 3 do not determine inclusion, suggesting that intron or exon splicing enhancer elements seen in vertebrate mini-exon systems are absent. In addition, mutation of the 3' and 5' splice sites flanking the mini-exon cause skipping of the mini-exon, suggesting that both splice sites are required. The branchpoint/U-rich sequence is able to promote splicing of mini-exons of 6, 3, and 1 nt in length and of a chicken cTNT mini-exon of 6 nt. These sequence elements therefore act as a splicing enhancer and appear to function via interactions between factors bound at the branchpoint/U-rich region and at the 5' splice site of intron 2, activating removal of this intron followed by removal of intron 1. This first example of splicing of a plant mini-exon to be analyzed demonstrates that particular arrangement of standard plant intron splicing signals can drive constitutive splicing of a mini-exon.
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Affiliation(s)
- C G Simpson
- Division of Genetics, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Dundee, United Kingdom
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