Delay in synthesis of the 3' splice site promotes trans-splicing of the preceding 5' splice site.
Premessenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing can occur within an individual pre-mRNA (cis-splicing) or between separate pre-mRNAs (trans-splicing). Although a number of examples of mammalian trans-splicing have been reported, the molecular mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Here, we investigate the mechanisms of Sp1 pre-mRNA trans-splicing with human cells expressing modified Sp1 transgenes. We find that the presence of a long intron or the insertion of an RNA polymerase II pause site within an intron promotes trans-splicing. We also add examples of naturally occurring trans-splicing. We propose that Sp1 trans-splicing, and other examples of mammalian trans-splicing, are a consequence of low-frequency disruption of the normal mechanisms that couple transcription and splicing.
Takahara
Terunao
T
Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Komaba, Meguro, Tokyo 153-8902, Japan.
Tasic
Bosiljka
B
Maniatis
Tom
T
Akanuma
Hiroshi
H
Yanagisawa
Shuichi
S
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D047369:Chromatin Immunoprecipitation; D005091:Exons; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D008954:Models, Biological; D012322:RNA Precursors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D022821:RNA Splice Sites; D051381:Rats; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors; D020040:Trans-Splicing; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019076:Transgenes
D012322:RNA Precursors; D022821:RNA Splice Sites; D014157:Transcription Factors