scholarly journals Polypurine sequences within a downstream exon function as a splicing enhancer.

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 1347-1354 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Tanaka ◽  
A Watakabe ◽  
Y Shimura
Keyword(s):  
Recognition Sequence ◽  
Splice Site Selection ◽  
Sequence Element ◽  
Nuclear Extracts ◽  
Gene Functions ◽  
Mouse Immunoglobulin ◽  
In Vitro Splicing ◽  
Immunoglobulin Mu ◽  
Splicing Enhancer

We have previously shown that a purine-rich sequence located within exon M2 of the mouse immunoglobulin mu gene functions as a splicing enhancer, as judged by its ability to stimulate splicing of a distant upstream intron. This sequence element has been designated ERS (exon recognition sequence). In this study, we investigated the stimulatory effects of various ERS-like sequences, using the in vitro splicing system with HeLa cell nuclear extracts. Here, we show that purine-rich sequences of several natural exons that have previously been shown to be required for splicing function as a splicing enhancer like the ERS of the immunoglobulin mu gene. Moreover, even synthetic polypurine sequences had stimulatory effects on the upstream splicing. Evaluation of the data obtained from the analyses of both natural and synthetic purine-rich sequences shows that (i) alternating purine sequences can stimulate splicing, while poly(A) or poly(G) sequences cannot, and (ii) the presence of U residues within the polypurine sequence greatly reduces the level of stimulation. Competition experiments strongly suggest that the stimulatory effects of various purine-rich sequences are mediated by the same trans-acting factor(s). We conclude from these results that the purine-rich sequences that we examined in this study also represent examples of ERS. Thus, ERS is considered a general splicing element that is present in various exons and plays an important role in splice site selection.

Polypurine sequences within a downstream exon function as a splicing enhancer

1994 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 1347-1354
Author(s):  
K Tanaka ◽  
A Watakabe ◽  
Y Shimura
Keyword(s):  
Recognition Sequence ◽  
Splice Site Selection ◽  
Sequence Element ◽  
Nuclear Extracts ◽  
Gene Functions ◽  
Mouse Immunoglobulin ◽  
In Vitro Splicing ◽  
Immunoglobulin Mu ◽  
Splicing Enhancer

We have previously shown that a purine-rich sequence located within exon M2 of the mouse immunoglobulin mu gene functions as a splicing enhancer, as judged by its ability to stimulate splicing of a distant upstream intron. This sequence element has been designated ERS (exon recognition sequence). In this study, we investigated the stimulatory effects of various ERS-like sequences, using the in vitro splicing system with HeLa cell nuclear extracts. Here, we show that purine-rich sequences of several natural exons that have previously been shown to be required for splicing function as a splicing enhancer like the ERS of the immunoglobulin mu gene. Moreover, even synthetic polypurine sequences had stimulatory effects on the upstream splicing. Evaluation of the data obtained from the analyses of both natural and synthetic purine-rich sequences shows that (i) alternating purine sequences can stimulate splicing, while poly(A) or poly(G) sequences cannot, and (ii) the presence of U residues within the polypurine sequence greatly reduces the level of stimulation. Competition experiments strongly suggest that the stimulatory effects of various purine-rich sequences are mediated by the same trans-acting factor(s). We conclude from these results that the purine-rich sequences that we examined in this study also represent examples of ERS. Thus, ERS is considered a general splicing element that is present in various exons and plays an important role in splice site selection.

A block in mammalian splicing occurring after formation of large complexes containing U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 259-267
Author(s):  
C H Agris ◽  
M E Nemeroff ◽  
R M Krug
Keyword(s):  
Specific Protein ◽  
Viral Mrna ◽  
Sequence Element ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Total Absence ◽  
Nuclear Extracts ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins ◽  
Rna Precursor

The assembly of mammalian pre-mRNAs into large 50S to 60S complexes, or spliceosomes, containing small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) leads to the production of splicing intermediates, 5' exon and lariat-3' exon, and the subsequent production of spliced products. Influenza virus NS1 mRNA, which encodes a virus-specific protein, is spliced in infected cells to form another viral mRNA (the NS2 mRNA), such that the ratio of unspliced to spliced mRNA is 10 to 1. NS1 mRNA was not detectably spliced in vitro with nuclear extracts from uninfected HeLa cells. Surprisingly, despite the almost total absence of splicing intermediates in the in vitro reaction, NS1 mRNA very efficiently formed ATP-dependent 55S complexes. The formation of 55S complexes with NS1 mRNA was compared with that obtained with an adenovirus pre-mRNA (pKT1 transcript) by using partially purified splicing fractions that restricted the splicing of the pKT1 transcript to the production of splicing intermediates. At RNA precursor levels that were considerably below saturation, approximately 10-fold more of the input NS1 mRNA than of the input pKT1 transcript formed 55S complexes at all time points examined. The pKT1 55S complexes contained splicing intermediates, whereas the NS1 55S complexes contained only precursor NS1 mRNA. Biotin-avidin affinity chromatography showed that the 55S complexes formed with either NS1 mRNA or the pKT1 transcript contained the U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6 snRNPs. Consequently, the formation of 55S complexes containing these five snRNPs was not sufficient for the catalysis of the first step of splicing, indicating that some additional step(s) needs to occur subsequent to this binding. These results indicate that the 5' splice site, 3' and branch point of NS1 and mRNA were capable of interacting with the five snRNPs to form 55S complexes, but apparently some other sequence element(s) in NS1 mRNA blocked the resolution of the 55S complexes that leads to the catalysis of splicing. On the basis of our results, we suggest mechanisms by which the splicing of NS1 is controlled in infected cells.

Selection of splice sites in pre-mRNAs with short internal exons

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 6075-6083
Author(s):  
Z Dominski ◽  
R Kole
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Pathway ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Relative Strength ◽  
Splice Sites ◽  
Polypyrimidine Tract ◽  
Splice Site Selection ◽  
Nuclear Extracts ◽  
Internal Exon

Model pre-mRNAs containing two introns and three exons, derived from the human beta-globin gene, were used to study the effects of internal exon length on splice site selection. Splicing was assayed in vitro in HeLa nuclear extracts and in vivo during transient expression in transfected HeLa cells. For substrates with internal exons 87, 104, and 171 nucleotides in length, in vitro splicing proceeded via a regular splicing pathway, in which all three exons were included in the spliced product. Primary transcripts with internal exons containing 23, 29, and 33 nucleotides were spliced by an alternative pathway, in which the first exon was joined directly to the third one. The internal exon was missing from the spliced product and together with two flanking introns was included in a large lariat structure. The same patterns of splicing were retained when transcripts containing 171-, 33-, and 29-nucleotide-long internal exons were spliced in vivo. A transcript containing a 51-nucleotide-long exon was spliced in vitro via both pathways but in vivo generated only a correctly spliced product. Skipping of short internal exons was reversed both in vitro and in vivo when purines in the upstream polypyrimidine tract were replaced by pyrimidines. The changes in the polypyrimidine tract achieved by these substitutions led in vitro to complete (transcripts containing 28 pyrimidines in a row) or partial (transcripts containing 15 pyrimidines in a row) restoration of a regular splicing pathway. Splicing in vivo of these transcripts led exclusively to the spliced product containing all three exons. These results suggest that a balance between the length of the uninterrupted polypyrimidine tract and the length of the exon is an important determinant of the relative strength of the splice sites, ensuring correct splicing patterns of multiintron pre-mRNAs.

In vitro splicing pathways of pre-mRNAs containing multiple intervening sequences?

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 3428-3437
Author(s):  
K M Lang ◽  
R A Spritz
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Order ◽  
Exon Skipping ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Splice Site Selection ◽  
Interleukin 3 ◽  
Intervening Sequences ◽  
In Vitro Splicing ◽  
Lag Times ◽  
Alpha Lactalbumin

We analyzed the in vitro splicing pathways of three multi-intervening-sequence (IVS) pre-mRNAs: human beta-globin, which contains two IVSs (K. M. Lang, V. L. van Santen, and R. A. Spritz, EMBO J. 4:1991-1996, 1985); rat alpha-lactalbumin, which contains three IVSs; and murine interleukin-3, which contains four IVSs. We found that there are highly preferred pathways of IVS removal from these multi-IVS pre-mRNAs in vitro. The three IVSs of rat alpha-lactalbumin pre-mRNA were excised sequentially from 5' to 3'; in most molecules, IVS1 was removed first, followed by IVS2 and finally by IVS3. The splicing pathway of interleukin-3 pre-mRNA in vitro was more complex. The four IVSs were excised in a highly preferred temporal order, but the order was not strictly sequential or directional. In most molecules, IVS1 and IVS4 were removed first, either simultaneously or in rapid succession. Subsequently, IVS2 was excised, followed by IVS3. The observed splicing pathways apparently resulted from differences in lag times and maximum excision rates of the different IVSs. We detected no exon skipping during splicing of these transcripts in vitro. These observations have implication for proposed models of splice site selection.

scholarly journals Multiple splicing factors are released from endogenous complexes during in vitro pre-mRNA splicing.

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 5273-5280 ◽  
Author(s):  
G C Conway ◽  
A R Krainer ◽  
D L Spector ◽  
R J Roberts
Keyword(s):  
Rna Splicing ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Mrna Splicing ◽  
Splicing Factors ◽  
Macromolecular Complex ◽  
Large Structures ◽  
Nuclear Extracts ◽  
In Vitro Splicing ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein

Pre-mRNA splicing occurs in a macromolecular complex called the spliceosome. Efforts to isolate spliceosomes from in vitro splicing reactions have been hampered by the presence of endogenous complexes that copurify with de novo spliceosomes formed on added pre-mRNA. We have found that removal of these large complexes from nuclear extracts prevents the splicing of exogenously added pre-mRNA. We therefore examined these complexes for the presence of splicing factors and proteins known or thought to be involved in RNA splicing. These fast-sedimenting structures were found to contain multiple small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) and a fragmented heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex. At least two splicing factors other than the snRNPs were also associated with these large structures. Upon incubation with ATP, these splicing factors as well as U1 and U2 snRNPs were released from these complexes. The presence of multiple splicing factors suggests that these complexes may be endogenous spliceosomes released from nuclei during preparation of splicing extracts. The removal of these structures from extracts that had been preincubated with ATP yielded a splicing extract devoid of large structures. This extract should prove useful in the fractionation of splicing factors and the isolation of native spliceosomes formed on exogenously added pre-mRNA.

scholarly journals Selection of splice sites in pre-mRNAs with short internal exons.

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 6075-6083 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z Dominski ◽  
R Kole
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Pathway ◽  
Globin Gene ◽  
Relative Strength ◽  
Splice Sites ◽  
Polypyrimidine Tract ◽  
Splice Site Selection ◽  
Nuclear Extracts ◽  
Internal Exon

Model pre-mRNAs containing two introns and three exons, derived from the human beta-globin gene, were used to study the effects of internal exon length on splice site selection. Splicing was assayed in vitro in HeLa nuclear extracts and in vivo during transient expression in transfected HeLa cells. For substrates with internal exons 87, 104, and 171 nucleotides in length, in vitro splicing proceeded via a regular splicing pathway, in which all three exons were included in the spliced product. Primary transcripts with internal exons containing 23, 29, and 33 nucleotides were spliced by an alternative pathway, in which the first exon was joined directly to the third one. The internal exon was missing from the spliced product and together with two flanking introns was included in a large lariat structure. The same patterns of splicing were retained when transcripts containing 171-, 33-, and 29-nucleotide-long internal exons were spliced in vivo. A transcript containing a 51-nucleotide-long exon was spliced in vitro via both pathways but in vivo generated only a correctly spliced product. Skipping of short internal exons was reversed both in vitro and in vivo when purines in the upstream polypyrimidine tract were replaced by pyrimidines. The changes in the polypyrimidine tract achieved by these substitutions led in vitro to complete (transcripts containing 28 pyrimidines in a row) or partial (transcripts containing 15 pyrimidines in a row) restoration of a regular splicing pathway. Splicing in vivo of these transcripts led exclusively to the spliced product containing all three exons. These results suggest that a balance between the length of the uninterrupted polypyrimidine tract and the length of the exon is an important determinant of the relative strength of the splice sites, ensuring correct splicing patterns of multiintron pre-mRNAs.

scholarly journals Comparison of in vitro and in vivo splice site selection in kappa-immunoglobulin precursor mRNA.

1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 2610-2619 ◽  
Author(s):  
D E Lowery ◽  
B G Van Ness
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Donor Site ◽  
Splice Donor Site ◽  
Splice Sites ◽  
Splice Donor ◽  
Splice Site Selection ◽  
Nuclear Extracts

The processing of a number of kappa-immunoglobulin primary mRNA (pre-mRNA) constructs has been examined both in vitro and in vivo. When a kappa-immunoglobulin pre-mRNA containing multiple J segment splice sites is processed in vitro, the splice sites are used with equal frequency. The presence of signal exon, S-V intron, or variable (V) region has no effect on splice site selection in vitro. Nuclear extracts prepared from a lymphoid cell line do not restore correct splice site selection. Splice site selection in vitro can be altered by changing the position or sequence of J splice donor sites. These results differ from the processing of similar pre-mRNAs expressed in vivo by transient transfection. The 5'-most J splice donor site was exclusively selected in vivo, even in nonlymphoid cells, and even in transcripts where in vitro splicing favored a 3' J splice site. The in vitro results are consistent with a model proposing that splice site selection is influenced by splice site strength and proximity; however, our in vivo results demonstrate a number of discrepancies with such a model and suggest that splice site selection may be coupled to transcription or a higher-order nuclear structure.

scholarly journals A homologous in vitro system to analyze transcription of a mouse immunoglobulin mu heavy-chain gene

1988 ◽  
Vol 172 (3) ◽  
pp. 679-685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas GILLER ◽  
Luzia BRUNNER ◽  
Leslie PICK ◽  
Christine BRACK
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Chain ◽  
Chain Gene ◽  
Heavy Chain Gene ◽  
In Vitro System ◽  
Mouse Immunoglobulin ◽  
Immunoglobulin Mu

scholarly journals In vitro splicing of pre-messenger RNA with extracts from 5-fluorouridine-treated cells

1994 ◽  
Vol 297 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
J R Patton
Keyword(s):  
Cell Growth ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Significant Inhibition ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Nuclear Extracts ◽  
Specific Step ◽  
In Vitro Splicing ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein

The effect of 5-fluorouridine (5-FU) treatment of cells on the splicing of pre-mRNA was determined using cellular extracts and splicing in vitro. Nuclear extracts from control cells and cells treated with 5-FU were prepared and used to splice pre-mRNAs in vitro. The drug treatment resulted in inhibition of cell growth but had little effect on RNA synthesis. The extracts from 5-FU-treated cells showed significant inhibition of splicing. This inhibition was the result of reduced efficiency and was not caused by a block at a specific step in the splicing pathway. There were no observable changes in the levels or physical properties of the small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles that are essential cofactors in the splicing process. The deficiency in splicing in the extracts from 5-FU-treated cells could be supplemented by the addition of complementary fractions from a control extract.

scholarly journals A Novel Type of Splicing Enhancer Regulating Adenovirus Pre-mRNA Splicing

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 2317-2325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oliver Mühlemann ◽  
Bai-Gong Yue ◽  
Svend Petersen-Mahrt ◽  
Göran Akusjärvi
Keyword(s):  
Virus Infection ◽  
Late Phase ◽  
Mrna Splicing ◽  
Sequence Element ◽  
Temporal Regulation ◽  
Branch Site ◽  
Nuclear Extracts ◽  
Infected Cells ◽  
Infectious Cycle ◽  
Splicing Enhancer

ABSTRACT Splicing of the adenovirus IIIa pre-mRNA is subjected to a temporal regulation, such that efficient IIIa 3′ splice site usage is confined to the late phase of the infectious cycle. Here we show that IIIa pre-mRNA splicing is activated more than 200-fold in nuclear extracts prepared from late adenovirus-infected cells (Ad-NE) compared to uninfected HeLa cell nuclear extracts (HeLa-NE). In contrast, splicing of the β-globin pre-mRNA is repressed in Ad-NE. We constructed hybrid pre-mRNAs between IIIa and β-globin in order to identify the minimal IIIa sequence element conferring enhanced splicing in Ad-NE. Using this approach, we show that the IIIa branch site/pyrimidine tract functions as a Janus element: it blocks splicing in HeLa-NE and functions as a splicing enhancer in Ad-NE. Therefore, we named this sequence the IIIa virus infection-dependent splicing enhancer (3VDE). This element is essential for regulated IIIa pre-mRNA splicing in Ad-NE and sufficient to confer an enhanced splicing phenotype to the β-globin pre-mRNA in Ad-NE. We further show that the increase in IIIa splicing observed in Ad-NE is not accompanied by a similar increase in U2AF binding to the IIIa pyrimidine tract. This finding suggests that splicing activation by the 3VDE may operate without efficient U2AF interaction with the pre-mRNA. Importantly, this report represents the first description of a splicing enhancer that has evolved to function selectively in the context of a virus infection, a finding that adds a new level at which viruses may subvert the host cell RNA biosynthetic machinery to facilitate their own replication.

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