Alternative splicing of U12-type introns.
Precise removal of introns from metazoan precursor mRNAs is critical for gene expression. Nevertheless, alternative splicing provides a means for higher eukaryotes to increase genomic complexity and proteome diversity and to regulate certain cellular functions. The presence of rare U12-type pre-mRNA introns in eukaryotic genomes further complicates splicing events. In this review, we discuss the mechanism of U12-type intron splicing with emphasis on how the U12 spliceosome selects alternative splice sites in various U12-type intron-containing pre-mRNAs. Moreover, we propose possible roles for U12-type introns in a wide range of gene regulation through splicing regulation.
Chang
Wen-Cheng
WC
Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chen
Hung-Hsi
HH
Tarn
Woan-Yuh
WY
D017398:Alternative Splicing; D000818:Animals; D005091:Exons; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D008954:Models, Biological; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009154:Mutation; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear / Q000235:genetics*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear; C096986:U12 small nuclear RNA; D012313:RNA