Repressing the neuron within.
A myriad of coordinated signals control cellular differentiation. Reprogramming the cell's proteome drives global changes in cell morphology and function that define cell phenotype. A switch in alternative splicing of many pre-mRNAs encoding neuronal-specific proteins accompanies neuronal differentiation. Three groups recently showed that the global splicing repressor, polypyrimidine track-binding protein (PTB), regulates this switch.1-3 Although a subset of neuronal genes are turned on in both non-neuronal and neuronal cells, restricted expression of PTB in non-neuronal cells diverts their mRNAs to nonsense-mediated decay and prevents protein expression. When the PTB brake is released, the cell splices like a neuron.
Fairbrother
William G
WG
Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Brown University, Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Providence Rhode Island, USA.
Fairbrother
Will
W
Lipscombe
Diane
D
D017398:Alternative Splicing / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D038941:Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein / Q000502:physiology*; D034622:RNA Interference / Q000502:physiology; D012323:RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000502:physiology*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D038941:Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein