title: Alternative splicing of U12-type introns.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wen-Cheng
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Hung-Hsi
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Woan-Yuh
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Tarn
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012342:RNA, Small Nuclear; C096986:U12 small nuclear RNA; D012313:RNA