title: trans-splicing: an update.
abstract: 5'-end maturation of messenger RNAs via acquisition of a trans-spliced leader sequence occurs in several primitive eukaryotes, some of which are parasitic. This type of trans-splicing proceeds though a two-step reaction pathway directly analogous to that of cis-splicing and like cis-splicing it requires multiple U snRNP cofactors. This minireview attempts to provide a brief synopsis of our current understanding of the evolution and biological significance of trans-splicing. Progress in deciphering the mechanism of trans-splicing, particularly as it relates to current models of cis-splicing, is also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Nilsen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010802:Phylogeny; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012326:RNA Splicing / Q000235:genetics; D018510:RNA, Helminth / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016053:RNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017411:Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012322:RNA Precursors; D018510:RNA, Helminth; D016053:RNA, Protozoan; D017411:Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear