[Alternative splicing of the FMR1 gene in human fetal tissues].
OBJECTIVE
To gain more insight into biological role of the alternative splicing of the FMR1 gene, isoforms of the FMR1 mRNA from human fetal heart, spleen, liver and kidney were analyzed.


METHODS
RNAs were isolated from the tissues of an abortion fetus (approximately 6 months postconception). Alternative splicing patterns of the FMR1 mRNA were analyzed by RT-PCR and cloning strategy.


RESULTS
One isoform of the FMR1 mRNA was found to be dominant in all of the four tissues. The major isoform was as same as the dominant one in the fetal cortex but was different from the major isoform in adult brain. The difference between the major isoforms in the fetal tissues and adult brain was the splicing out or retaining the peptide encoded by exon 12 and exon 17.


CONCLUSIONS
This result suggested a developmental switch of alternative splicing of the FMR1 gene. The difference between the major isoforms in the fetal tissues and adult brain suggested the two peptides may have special roles in related developmental stages.
Ding
J
J
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, CAMS, Beijing.
Huang
T
T
Li
L
L
Fan
Y
Y
Shen
Y
Y
D017398:Alternative Splicing; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000737:chemistry*; D005091:Exons; D005333:Fetus; D051860:Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1; D005600:Fragile X Syndrome / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007536:Isomerism; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D009206:Myocardium / Q000737:chemistry; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins
D051860:Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C497683:FMR1 protein, human