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Evidence for a role of Sky1p-mediated phosphorylation in 3' splice site recognition involving both Prp8 and Prp17/Slu4.

The SRPK family of kinases is specific for RS domain-containing splicing factors and known to play a critical role in protein-protein interaction and intracellular distribution of their substrates in both yeast and mammalian cells. However, the function of these kinases in pre-mRNA splicing remains unclear. Here we report that SKY1, a SRPK family member in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, genetically interacts with PRP8 and PRP17/SLU4, both of which are involved in splice site selection during pre-mRNA splicing. Prp8 is essential for splicing and is known to interact with both 5' and 3' splice sites in the spliceosomal catalytic center, whereas Prp17/Slu4 is nonessential and is required only for efficient recognition of the 3' splice site. Interestingly, deletion of SKY1 was synthetically lethal with all prp17 mutants tested, but only with specific prp8 alleles in a domain implicated in governing fidelity of 3'AG recognition. Indeed, deletion of SKY1 specifically suppressed 3'AG mutations in ACT1-CUP1 splicing reporters. These results suggest for the first time that 3' AG recognition may be subject to phosphorylation regulation by Sky1p during pre-mRNA splicing.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Splicing analysis disclosed a determinant single nucleotide for exon skipping caused by a novel intraexonic four-nucleotide deletion in the dystrophin gene.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in exonic splicing enhancer sequences are known to cause splicing errors. Although exonic splicing enhancers have been identified as a stretch of purine-rich sequences, it has been difficult to precisely pinpoint the determinant nucleotides in these sequences. This article reports that a 4-bp deletion in exon 38 of the dystrophin gene induced complete exon 38 skipping in vivo. Moreover, the third nucleotide of the deletion was shown to be determinant for the exonic splicing enhancer activity in in vivo splicing analysis of hybrid minigenes encoding mutant exons. METHOD: Genomic DNA analysis of a 2-year-old boy with a raised level of serum creatine kinase yielded a 4-bp deletion 11 bp upstream of the 3' end of exon 38 of the dystrophin gene (c. 5434-5437del TTCA), disrupting a predicted SC35-binding site. RESULT: Interestingly, his dystrophin mRNA was shown to completely lack exon 38 (exon 38- transcript). As the exon 38- transcript coded for a truncated dystrophin protein, this exon skipping was determined to be a modifying factor of his phenotype. In an in vivo splicing assay, a hybrid minigene encoding exon 38 with the 4-bp deletion was shown to induce complete exon 38 skipping, confirming the deleted region as a splicing enhancer sequence. Site-directed mutagenesis of the deleted sequence showed that the complete exon 38 skipping was caused by mutation of the third nucleotide position of the deletion (C5436), whereas mutations at the other three nucleotide positions induced partial exon skipping. CONCLUSION: Our results underline the potential of understanding the regulation of exonic splicing enhancer sequences and exon skipping therapy for treatment of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.

Base Sequence↗

Delineation of the mechanisms of aberrant splicing caused by two unusual intronic mutations in the RSK2 gene involved in Coffin-Lowry syndrome.

Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) is caused by mutations in the RSK2 gene encoding a protein kinase of the Ras signalling pathway. We have studied two point mutations which cause aberrant splicing but do not concern the invariant GT or AG nucleotides of splice sites. The first, an A-->G transition at position +3 of the 5' splice site of exon 6, results in vivo and in vitro in exon skipping and premature translation termination. The natural 5' splice site, although intrinsically weak, is not transactivated under normal conditions. Consequently, replacement of an A/U by a G/U base pairing with U1 snRNA reduces its strength below a critical threshold. The second mutation, an A-->G transition 11 nt upstream of exon 5, creates a new AG near the natural 3' splice site. In vitro this synthetic 3' AG is used exclusively by the splicing machinery. In vivo this splicing event is also observed, but is underestimated because the resulting RSK2 mRNA contains premature stop codons which trigger the nonsense-mediated decay process. We show that a particular mechanism is involved in the aberrant splicing of exon 5, implying involvement of the natural 3' AG during the first catalytic step and the new 3' AG during the second step. Thus, our results explain how these mutations cause severe forms of CLS.

Base Sequence↗

Genetic interactions between the 5' and 3' splice site consensus sequences and U6 snRNA during the second catalytic step of pre-mRNA splicing.

The YAG/ consensus sequence at the 3' end of introns (the slash indicates the location of the 3' splice site) is essential for catalysis of the second step of pre-mRNA splicing. Little is known about the interactions formed by these three nucleotides in the spliceosome. Although previous observations have suggested that the G of the YAG/ interacts with the first nucleotide of the /GUA consensus sequence at the 5' end of the intron, additional interactions have not been identified. Here we report several striking genetic interactions between A+3 of the 5' /GUA with Y-3 of the 3' YAG/ and G50 of the highly conserved ACAGAG motif in U6 snRNA. Two mutations in U6 G50 of the ACAGAG can weakly suppress two mutations in A+3 of the 5' /GUA. This suppression is significantly enhanced upon the inclusion of a specific mutation Y-3 in the 3' YAG/. RNA analysis confirmed that the severe splicing defect observed in A+3 and Y-3 double mutants can be rescued to near wild-type levels by the mutations in U6 G50. The contributions of each mutation to the genetic interaction and the strong position specificity of suppression, combined with previous findings, support a model in which the 5' /GUA and the GAG of U6 function in binding the 3' YAG/ during the second catalytic step.

Base Sequence↗

Requirements for intron-mediated enhancement of gene expression in Arabidopsis.

To explore possible mechanisms of intron-mediated enhancement of gene expression, the features of PAT1 intron 1 required to elevate mRNA accumulation were systematically tested in transgenic Arabidopsis. This intron is remarkably resilient, retaining some ability to increase mRNA accumulation when splicing was prevented by mutation of 5' and 3' splice sites, branchpoint sequences, or when intron U-richness was reduced. Enhancement was abolished by simultaneously eliminating branchpoints and the 5' splice site, structures involved in the first two steps of spliceosome assembly. Although this suggests that the splicing machinery is required, intron splicing is clearly not enough to enhance mRNA accumulation. Five other introns were all efficiently spliced but varied widely in their ability to increase mRNA levels. Furthermore, PAT1 intron 1 was spliced but lost the ability to elevate mRNA accumulation when moved to the 3' UTR. These findings demonstrate that splicing per se is neither necessary nor sufficient for an intron to enhance mRNA accumulation, and suggest a mechanism that requires intron recognition by the splicing machinery but also involves nonconserved intron sequences.

Arabidopsis↗

U12DB: a database of orthologous U12-type spliceosomal introns.

U12-type introns are spliced by the U12-dependent spliceosome and are present in the genomes of many higher eukaryotic lineages including plants, chordates and some invertebrates. However, due to their relatively recent discovery and a systematic bias against recognition of non-canonical splice sites in general, the introns defined by U12-type splice sites are under-represented in genome annotations. Such under-representation compounds the already difficult problem of determining gene structures. It also impedes attempts to study these introns genome-wide or phylum-wide. The resource described here, the U12 Intron Database (U12DB), aims to catalog the U12-type introns of completely sequenced eukaryotic genomes in a framework that groups orthologous introns with each other. This will aid further investigations into the evolution and mechanism of U12-dependent splicing as well as assist ongoing genome annotation efforts. Public access to the U12DB is available at http://genome.imim.es/cgi-bin/u12db/u12db.cgi.

Animals↗

p59(fyn)-mediated phosphorylation regulates the activity of the tissue-specific splicing factor rSLM-1.

The Sam68-like mammalian protein SLM-1 is a member of the STAR protein family and is related to SAM68 and SLM-2. Here, we demonstrate that rSLM-1 interacts with itself, scaffold-attachment factor B, YT521-B, SAM68, rSLM-2, SRp30c, and hnRNP G. rSLM-1 regulates splice site selection in vivo via a purine-rich enhancer. In contrast to the widely expressed SAM68 and rSLM-2 proteins, rSLM-1 is found primarily in brain and, to a much smaller degree, in testis. In the brain, rSLM-1 and rSLM-2 are predominantly expressed in different neurons. In the hippocampal formation, rSLM-1 is present only in the dentate gyrus, whereas rSLM-2 is found in the pyramidal cells of the CA1, CA3, and CA4 regions. rSLM-1, but not rSLM-2, is phosphorylated by p59(fyn). p59(fyn)-mediated phosphorylation abolishes the ability of rSLM-1 to regulate splice site selection, but has no effect on rSLM-2 activity. This suggests that rSLM-1-positive cells could respond with a change of their splicing pattern to p59(fyn) activation, whereas rSLM-2-positive cells would not be affected. Together, our data indicate that rSLM-1 is a tissue-specific splicing factor whose activity is regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation signals emanating from p59(fyn).

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Sarcoidosis is associated with a truncating splice site mutation in BTNL2.

Sarcoidosis is a polygenic immune disorder with predominant manifestation in the lung. Genome-wide linkage analysis previously indicated that the extended major histocompatibility locus on chromosome 6p was linked to susceptibility to sarcoidosis. Here, we carried out a systematic three-stage SNP scan of 16.4 Mb on chromosome 6p21 in as many as 947 independent cases of familial and sporadic sarcoidosis and found that a 15-kb segment of the gene butyrophilin-like 2 (BTNL2) was associated with the disease. The primary disease-associated variant (rs2076530; P(TDT) = 3 x 10(-6), P(case-control) = 1.1 x 10(-8); replication P(TDT) = 0.0018, P(case-control) = 1.8 x 10(-6)) represents a risk factor that is independent of variation in HLA-DRB1. BTNL2 is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and has been implicated as a costimulatory molecule involved in T-cell activation on the basis of its homology to B7-1. The G --> A transition constituting rs2076530 leads to the use of a cryptic splice site located 4 bp upstream of the affected wild-type donor site. Transcripts of the risk-associated allele have a premature stop in the spliced mRNA. The resulting protein lacks the C-terminal IgC domain and transmembrane helix, thereby disrupting the membrane localization of the protein, as shown in experiments using green fluorescent protein and V5 fusion proteins.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage↗

A homozygous splice mutation in the HSF4 gene is associated with an autosomal recessive congenital cataract.

PURPOSE: To map the locus and identify the gene causing autosomal recessive congenital cataracts in a large consanguineous Tunisian family. METHODS: DNA was extracted from blood samples from a large Tunisian family with an autosomal recessive, congenital, total white cataract. A genome-wide scan was performed with microsatellite markers. All exons and the splice sites of the HSF4 gene were sequenced in all members of the Tunisian family and in control individuals. RT-PCR was used to detect different transcripts of the HSF4 gene in the human lens. The transcripts were cloned in a TA cloning vector and sequenced. RESULTS: Two-point linkage analyses showed linkage to markers on 16q22 with a maximum lod score of 17.78 at theta = 0.01 with D16S3043. Haplotype analysis refined the critical region to a 1.8-cM (4.8-Mb) interval, flanked by D16S3031 and D16S3095. This region contains HSF4, some mutations of which cause the autosomal dominant Marner cataract. Sequencing of HSF4 showed a homozygous mutation in the 5' splice site of intron 12 (c.1327+4A-->G), which causes the skipping of exon 12. A more detailed study of the transcripts resulting from alternative splicing of the HSF4 gene in the lens is also reported, showing the major transcript HSF4b. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report describing association of an autosomal recessive cataract with the HSF4 locus on 16q21-q22.1 and the first description of HSF4 splice variants in the lens showing that HSF4b is the major transcript.

Cataract↗

Splicing of arabidopsis tRNA(Met) precursors in tobacco cell and wheat germ extracts.

Intron-containing tRNA genes are exceptional within nuclear plant genomes. It appears that merely two tRNA gene families coding for tRNA(GpsiA(Tyr)) and elongator tRNA(CmAU(Met)) contain intervening sequences. We have previously investigated the features required by wheat germ splicing endonuclease for efficient and accurate intron excision from Arabidopsis pre-tRNA(Tyr). Here we have studied the expression of an Arabidopsis elongator tRNA(Met) gene in two plant extracts of different origin. This gene was first transcribed either in HeLa or in tobacco cell nuclear extract and splicing of intron-containing tRNA(Met) precursors was then examined in wheat germ S23 extract and in the tobacco system. The results show that conversion of pre-tRNA(Met) to mature tRNA proceeds very efficiently in both plant extracts. In order to elucidate the potential role of specific nucleotides at the 3' and 5' splice sites and of a structured intron for pre-tRNA(Met) splicing in either extract, we have performed a systematic survey by mutational analyses. The results show that cytidine residues at intron-exon boundaries impair pre-tRNA(Met) splicing and that a highly structured intron is indispensable for pre-tRNA(Met) splicing. tRNA precursors with an extended anticodon stem of three to four base pairs are readily accepted as substrates by wheat and tobacco splicing endonuclease, whereas pre-tRNA molecules that can form an extended anticodon stem of only two putative base pairs are not spliced at all. An amber suppressor, generated from the intron-containing elongator tRNA(Met) gene, is efficiently processed and spliced in both plant extracts.

Arabidopsis↗

Modification of the Creator recombination system for proteomics applications--improved expression by addition of splice sites.

BACKGROUND: Recombinational systems have been developed to rapidly shuttle Open Reading Frames (ORFs) into multiple expression vectors in order to analyze the large number of cDNAs available in the post-genomic era. In the Creator system, an ORF introduced into a donor vector can be transferred with Cre recombinase to a library of acceptor vectors optimized for different applications. Usability of the Creator system is impacted by the ability to easily manipulate DNA, the number of acceptor vectors for downstream applications, and the level of protein expression from Creator vectors. RESULTS: To date, we have developed over 20 novel acceptor vectors that employ a variety of promoters and epitope tags commonly employed for proteomics applications and gene function analysis. We also made several enhancements to the donor vectors including addition of different multiple cloning sites to allow shuttling from pre-existing vectors and introduction of the lacZ alpha reporter gene to allow for selection. Importantly, in order to ameliorate any effects on protein expression of the loxP site between a 5' tag and ORF, we introduced a splicing event into our expression vectors. The message produced from the resulting 'Creator Splice' vector undergoes splicing in mammalian systems to remove the loxP site. Upon analysis of our Creator Splice constructs, we discovered that protein expression levels were also significantly increased. CONCLUSION: The development of new donor and acceptor vectors has increased versatility during the cloning process and made this system compatible with a wider variety of downstream applications. The modifications introduced in our Creator Splice system were designed to remove extraneous sequences due to recombination but also aided in downstream analysis by increasing protein expression levels. As a result, we can now employ epitope tags that are detected less efficiently and reduce our assay scale to allow for higher throughput. The Creator Splice system appears to be an extremely useful tool for proteomics.

Cell Line↗

Splicing of scorpion toxin gene BmKK2 in HEK 293T cells.

Using GFP as a reporter gene, splicing of scorpion toxin gene BmKK2 was investigated in cultured HEK 293T cells. The results of RT-PCR and western blotting showed that BmKK2's intron could be recognized and spliced in cultured HEK 293T cells. At the same time, a cryptic splicing site of BmKK2 gene was found at the 91st nucleotide site of the second exon, which is a typical form of alternative splicing. For the first time, alternative splicing would partially explain the diversity of scorpion toxins at the gene level. Moreover, replacing BmKK2's intron with BmP03's intron (an artificial BmKK2-BmP03 mosaic gene) did not affect the intron's recognition and splicing, but increased the expression of the toxin-GFP fusion protein by fluorescence imaging, which indicated that both introns may regulate the expression of toxin-GFP fusion protein. The artificial BmKK2-BmP03 mosaic gene was also spliced into two kinds of mRNA molecules, which showed that sequence of intron was not absolutely conserved. The results suggested that introns of scorpion toxin genes BmKK2 and BmP03 increase the diversity of scorpion toxins and regulate the expression of their genes.

Cell Line↗

A novel PRPF31 splice-site mutation in a Chinese family with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa.

PURPOSE: The autosomal dominant form of retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP) can be caused by mutations in 13 genes and a further locus for which the gene remains to be identified. This study was intended to identify mutations in a large Chinese pedigree with ADRP. METHODS: A genome scan was conducted in the family. The whole coding sequences and the intron-exon boundaries of candidate genes were amplified and sequenced. The reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to amplify the mutated mRNA. RESULTS: The strongest evidence of linkage was detected with three adjacent microsatellite markers genotyped between D19S902 and D19S210 on chromosome 19q13.33-13.43. Within the region, a single nucleotide change (G>A) at position -1 of Intron 5 of PRPF31 was found. The consensus AG doublet of the Intron 5 splice acceptor was changed to AA. The mutation co-segregated with the disease phenotype, suggesting that it was the disease-causing mutation in this family. This splicing site mutation is predicted to cause an erroneous splicing of Exon 6. By RT-PCR, we found the mutated nucleotide of Intron 5 (A) and the first nucleotide of Exon 6 (G) was regarded as a new splice acceptor, resulting in 1 bp deletion of the first codon of Exon 6 (GAG-to-AG) at the mRNA level. This change led to a frameshift and truncated protein of 196 amino acids with 56 novel amino acids prior to a premature stop. CONCLUSIONS: A novel splicing mutation (IVS5-1G>A) in the pre-mRNA splicing-factor gene PRPF31 causes retinitis pigmentosa in a large Chinese family. The mutation results in a truncated protein of PRPF31.

Asian People↗

Identification of three novel SEDL mutations, including mutation in the rare, non-canonical splice site of exon 4.

Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda (SEDT) is an X-linked recessive disorder, characterized by disproportionately short stature and degenerative joint disease, which manifests in the early teens. The gene responsible for SED tarda, SEDL, has been identified in Xp22. We report on three novel SEDL mutations. The first mutation is in the rare, non-canonical 5' splice site of intron 4 (IVS4+4T>C) in an Italian family. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis has revealed that this mutation causes alternative splicing of exon 5, and, as a consequence, inclusion of exon 4b sequence. This gives rise to an altered, truncated SEDL protein. We also describe two new deletions: one is a 4-bp deletion in exon 6 [333-336del(GAAT)], identified in a Slovak patient with SEDT, and one is a 1.335-kb deletion (in5/ex6del), found in a Belgian patient. The identification of these novel mutations in SEDL adds to the spectrum of 30 mutations previously identified. A short summary of all currently known SEDL gene mutations is presented.

Adolescent↗

Intronic alterations in BRCA1 and BRCA2: effect on mRNA splicing fidelity and expression.

Germline mutations in the human breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 account for the majority of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. In spite of the large number of sequence variants identified in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation analyses, many of these genetic alterations are still classified as variants of unknown significance (VUS). In this study, we evaluated 12 BRCA1/2 intronic variants in order to differentiate their pathogenic or polymorphic effects on the mRNA splicing process. We detected the existence of aberrant splicing in three BRCA1 variants (c.301-2delA/IVS6-2delA, c.441+1G>A/IVS7+1G>A, and c.4986+6T>G/IVS16+6T>G) and two BRCA2 variants (c.8487+1G>A/IVS19+1G>A and c.8632-2A>G/IVS20-2A>G). All but one of the aberrant transcripts arise from mutations affecting the conserved splice acceptor or donor sequences and all would be predicted to result in expression of truncated BRCA1 or BRCA2 proteins. However, we demonstrated that four of these splice-site mutations (i.e., c.301-2delA, c.441+1G>A, c.4986+6T>G, and c.8632-2A>G) with premature termination codons were highly unstable and were unlikely to encode for abundant expression of a mutant protein. Three variants of BRCA1 (c.212+3A>G/IVS5+3A>G, c.593+8A>G/IVS9+8A>G, and c.4986-20A>G/IVS16-20A>G) and four variants of BRCA2 (c.516-19C>T/IVS6-19C>T, c.7976-4_7976_3delTT/IVS17-4delTT, c.8487+19A>G/IVS19+19A>G, and c.9256- 18C>A/IVS24- 18C>A) in our studies show no effects on the normal splicing process, and they are considered to be benign polymorphic alterations. Our studies help to clarify the aberrant splicing in BRCA1 and BRCA2 as well as provide information that can be used clinically to help counsel breast/ovarian cancer prone families.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗

Splicing regulation at the second catalytic step by Sex-lethal involves 3' splice site recognition by SPF45.

The Drosophila protein Sex-lethal (SXL) promotes skipping of exon 3 from its own pre-mRNA. An unusual sequence arrangement of two AG dinucleotides and an intervening polypyrimidine (Py)-tract at the 3' end of intron 2 is important for Sxl autoregulation. Here we show that U2AF interacts with the Py-tract and downstream AG, whereas the spliceosomal protein SPF45 interacts with the upstream AG and activates it for the second catalytic step of the splicing reaction. SPF45 represents a new class of second step factors, and its interaction with SXL blocks splicing at the second step. These results are in contrast with other known mechanisms of splicing regulation, which target early events of spliceosome assembly. A similar role for SPF45 is demonstrated in the activation of a cryptic 3' ss generated by a mutation that causes human beta-thalassemia.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

The ATP requirement for U2 snRNP addition is linked to the pre-mRNA region 5' to the branch site.

Association of U2 snRNP with the pre-mRNA branch region is the first ATP-dependent step in spliceosome assembly. The basis of this energy dependence is not known. Previously, we identified minimal intron-derived substrates that form complexes with U2 independent of ATP. Here, we identify the intron region linked to the ATP dependence of this step by comparing these substrates to longer RNAs that recapitulate the ATP requirement. This region needed to impose ATP dependence lies immediately 5' to the branch site. Sequences ranging from 6 to 14 nt yield a near linear inhibitory effect on efficiency of complex formation with U2 snRNP, with 18 nt yielding near maximal ATP dependence. This region is not protected prior to U2 addition, and RNase H targeting of the region within nuclear extract converts an ATP-dependent substrate into an ATP-independent one. Within this region, there is no sequence specificity linked with the ATP requirement, as neither a specific sequence is needed, nor even nucleobases. These data and the results of other modifications suggest models in which the 18-nt region is a target for interactions with U2 snRNP in an ATP-bound or -activated conformation.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Vectorization of morpholino oligomers by the (R-Ahx-R)4 peptide allows efficient splicing correction in the absence of endosomolytic agents.

The efficient and non-toxic nuclear delivery of steric-block oligonucleotides (ON) is a prerequisite for therapeutic strategies involving splice correction or exon skipping. Cationic cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) have given rise to much interest for the intracellular delivery of biomolecules, but their efficiency in promoting cytoplasmic or nuclear delivery of oligonucleotides has been hampered by endocytic sequestration and subsequent degradation of most internalized material in endocytic compartments. In the present study, we compared the splice correction activity of three different CPPs conjugated to PMO(705), a steric-block ON targeted against the mutated splicing site of human beta-globin pre-mRNA in the HeLa pLuc705 splice correction model. In contrast to Tat48-60 (Tat) and oligoarginine (R(9)F(2)) PMO(705) conjugates, the 6-aminohexanoic-spaced oligoarginine (R-Ahx-R)(4)-PMO(705) conjugate was able to promote an efficient splice correction in the absence of endosomolytic agents. Our mechanistic investigations about its uptake mechanisms lead to the conclusion that these three vectors are internalized using the same endocytic route involving proteoglycans, but that the (R-Ahx-R)(4)-PMO(705) conjugate has the unique ability to escape from lysosomial fate and to access to the nuclear compartment. This vector, which has displays an extremely low cytotoxicity, the ability to function without chloroquine adjunction and in the presence of serum proteins. It thus offers a promising lead for the development of vectors able to enhance the delivery of therapeutic steric-block ON in clinically relevant models.

Animals↗