scholarly journals Regulation of Sex-Specific Selection offruitless 5′ Splice Sites by transformerand transformer-2

1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 450-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker Heinrichs ◽  
Lisa C. Ryner ◽  
Bruce S. Baker
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Courtship Behavior ◽  
Specific Pattern ◽  
Splice Sites ◽  
Repeat Elements ◽  
Specific Alternative ◽  
Female Specific ◽  
Male Specific ◽  
Splicing Enhancer

ABSTRACT In Drosophila melanogaster, the fruitless(fru) gene controls essentially all aspects of male courtship behavior. It does this through sex-specific alternative splicing of the fru pre-mRNA, leading to the production of male-specific fru mRNAs capable of expressing male-specificfru proteins. Sex-specific fru splicing involves the choice between alternative 5′ splice sites, one used exclusively in males and the other used only in females. Here we report that the Drosophila sex determination genestransformer (tra) and transformer-2(tra-2) switch fru splicing from the male-specific pattern to the female-specific pattern through activation of the female-specific fru 5′ splice site. Activation of female-specific fru splicing requirescis-acting tra and tra-2 repeat elements that are part of an exonic splicing enhancer located immediately upstream of the female-specific fru 5′ splice site and are recognized by the TRA and TRA-2 proteins in vitro. Thisfru splicing enhancer is sufficient to promote the activation by tra and tra-2 of both a 5′ splice site and the female-specific doublesex (dsx) 3′ splice site, suggesting that the mechanisms of 5′ splice site activation and 3′ splice site activation may be similar.

scholarly journals The doublesex Splicing Enhancer Components Tra2 and Rbp1 Also Repress Splicing through an Intronic Silencer

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 699-708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junlin Qi ◽  
Shihuang Su ◽  
William Mattox
Keyword(s):  
Branch Point ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Splicing Factors ◽  
Splice Sites ◽  
Consensus Binding Site ◽  
Synergistic Interactions ◽  
Splicing Silencer ◽  
Specific Alternative ◽  
Splicing Enhancer

ABSTRACT The activation of sex-specific alternative splice sites in the Drosophila melanogaster doublesex and fruitless pre-mRNAs has been well studied and depends on the serine-arginine-rich (SR) splicing factors Tra, Tra2, and Rbp1. Little is known, however, about how SR factors negatively regulate splice sites in other RNAs. Here we examine how Tra2 blocks splicing of the M1 intron from its own transcript. We identify an intronic splicing silencer (ISS) adjacent to the M1 branch point that is sufficient to confer Tra2-dependent repression on another RNA. The ISS was found to function independently of its position within the intron, arguing against the idea that bound repressors function by simply interfering with branch point accessibility to general splicing factors. Conserved subelements of the silencer include five short repeated sequences that are required for Tra2 binding but differ from repeated binding sites found in Tra2-dependent splicing enhancers. The ISS also contains a consensus binding site for Rbp1, and this protein was found to facilitate repression of M1 splicing both in vitro and in Drosophila larvae. In contrast to the cooperative binding of SR proteins observed on the doublesex splicing enhancer, we found that Rbp1 and Tra2 bind to the ISS independently through distinct sequences. Our results suggest that functionally synergistic interactions of these SR factors can cause either splicing activation or repression.

A novel protein factor is required for use of distal alternative 5' splice sites in vitro

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 5945-5953
Author(s):  
J E Harper ◽  
J L Manley
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Deae Cellulose ◽  
Simian Virus 40 ◽  
Nuclear Extract ◽  
Simian Virus ◽  
Splice Sites ◽  
Splice Site Selection ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein

Adenovirus E1A pre-mRNA was used as a model to examine alternative 5' splice site selection during in vitro splicing reactions. Strong preference for the downstream 13S 5' splice site over the upstream 12S or 9S 5' splice sites was observed. However, the 12S 5' splice site was used efficiently when a mutant pre-mRNA lacking the 13S 5' splice site was processed, and 12S splicing from this substrate was not reduced by 13S splicing from a separate pre-mRNA, demonstrating that 13S splicing reduced 12S 5' splice site selection through a bona fide cis-competition. DEAE-cellulose chromatography of nuclear extract yielded two fractions with different splicing activities. The bound fraction contained all components required for efficient splicing of simple substrates but was unable to utilize alternative 5' splice sites. In contrast, the flow-through fraction, which by itself was inactive, contained an activity required for alternative splicing and was shown to stimulate 12S and 9S splicing, while reducing 13S splicing, when added to reactions carried out by the bound fraction. Furthermore, the activity, which we have called distal splicing factor (DSF), enhanced utilization of an upstream 5' splice site on a simian virus 40 early pre-mRNA, suggesting that the factor acts in a position-dependent, substrate-independent fashion. Several lines of evidence are presented suggesting that DSF is a non-small nuclear ribonucleoprotein protein. Finally, we describe a functional interaction between DSF and ASF, a protein that enhances use of downstream 5' splice sites.

scholarly journals Competing Upstream 5′ Splice Sites Enhance the Rate of Proximal Splicing

2010 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 1878-1886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin J. Hicks ◽  
William F. Mueller ◽  
Peter J. Shepard ◽  
Klemens J. Hertel
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Regulatory Element ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Splice Sites ◽  
Base Pairing ◽  
Splice Site Selection ◽  
U1 Snrna ◽  
Pairing Potential

ABSTRACT Alternative 5′ splice site selection is one of the major pathways resulting in mRNA diversification. Regulation of this type of alternative splicing depends on the presence of regulatory elements that activate or repress the use of competing splice sites, usually leading to the preferential use of the proximal splice site. However, the mechanisms involved in proximal splice site selection and the thermodynamic advantage realized by proximal splice sites are not well understood. Here, we have carried out a systematic analysis of alternative 5′ splice site usage using in vitro splicing assays. We show that observed rates of splicing correlate well with their U1 snRNA base pairing potential. Weak U1 snRNA interactions with the 5′ splice site were significantly rescued by the proximity of the downstream exon, demonstrating that the intron definition mode of splice site recognition is highly efficient. In the context of competing splice sites, the proximity to the downstream 3′ splice site was more influential in dictating splice site selection than the actual 5′ splice site/U1 snRNA base pairing potential. Surprisingly, the kinetic analysis also demonstrated that an upstream competing 5′ splice site enhances the rate of proximal splicing. These results reveal the discovery of a new splicing regulatory element, an upstream 5′ splice site functioning as a splicing enhancer.

scholarly journals In vivo recognition of a vertebrate mini-exon as an exon-intron-exon unit.

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 2677-2687 ◽  
Author(s):  
D A Sterner ◽  
S M Berget
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Rna Splicing ◽  
Troponin I ◽  
Exon Skipping ◽  
Splice Sites ◽  
Small Vertebrate ◽  
Upstream Exon ◽  
I Gene

Very small vertebrate exons are problematic for RNA splicing because of the proximity of their 3' and 5' splice sites. In this study, we investigated the recognition of a constitutive 7-nucleotide mini-exon from the troponin I gene that resides quite close to the adjacent upstream exon. The mini-exon failed to be included in spliced RNA when placed in a heterologous gene unless accompanied by the upstream exon. The requirement for the upstream exon disappeared when the mini-exon was internally expanded, suggesting that the splice sites bordering the mini-exon are compatible with those of other constitutive vertebrate exons and that the small size of the exon impaired inclusion. Mutation of the 5' splice site of the natural upstream exon did not result in either exon skipping or activation of a cryptic 5' splice site, the normal vertebrate phenotypes for such mutants. Instead, a spliced RNA accumulated that still contained the upstream intron. In vitro, the mini-exon failed to assemble into spliceosome complexes unless either internally expanded or accompanied by the upstream exon. Thus, impaired usage of the mini-exon in vivo was accompanied by impaired recognition in vitro, and recognition of the mini-exon was facilitated by the presence of the upstream exon in vivo and in vitro. Cumulatively, the atypical in vivo and in vitro properties of the troponin exons suggest a mechanism for the recognition of this mini-exon in which initial recognition of an exon-intron-exon unit is followed by subsequent recognition of the intron.

scholarly journals An Intronic Splicing Enhancer Binds U1 snRNPs To Enhance Splicing and Select 5′ Splice Sites

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
pp. 9225-9235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. McCullough ◽  
Susan M. Berget
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Maximal Activity ◽  
Splice Sites ◽  
Base Pairing ◽  
Rich Region ◽  
U1 Snrnp ◽  
Splicing Efficiency ◽  
Site Recognition ◽  
Splicing Enhancer

ABSTRACT Intronic G triplets are frequently located adjacent to 5′ splice sites in vertebrate pre-mRNAs and have been correlated with splicing efficiency and specificity via a mechanism that activates upstream 5′ splice sites in exons containing duplicated sites (26). Using an intron dependent upon G triplets for maximal activity and 5′ splice site specificity, we determined that these elements bind U1 snRNPs via base pairing with U1 RNA. This interaction is novel in that it uses nucleotides 8 to 10 of U1 RNA and is independent of nucleotides 1 to 7. In vivo functionality of base pairing was documented by restoring activity and specificity to mutated G triplets through compensating U1 RNA mutations. We suggest that the G-rich region near vertebrate 5′ splice sites promotes accurate splice site recognition by recruiting the U1 snRNP.

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 Identification of a Bidirectional Splicing Enhancer: Differential Involvement of SR Proteins in 5′ or 3′ Splice Site Activation

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 7347-7356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cyril F. Bourgeois ◽  
Michel Popielarz ◽  
Georges Hildwein ◽  
James Stevenin
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Sr Proteins ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Adenovirus E1a ◽  
Differential Involvement ◽  
Splicing Enhancer

ABSTRACT The adenovirus E1A pre-mRNA undergoes alternative splicing whose modulation occurs during infection, through the use of three different 5′ splice sites and of one major or one minor 3′ splice site. Although this pre-mRNA has been extensively used as a model to compare the transactivation properties of SR proteins, no cis-acting element has been identified in the transcript sequence. Here we describe the identification and the characterization of a purine-rich splicing enhancer, located just upstream of the 12S 5′ splice site, which is formed from two contiguous 9-nucleotide (nt) purine motifs (Pu1 and Pu2). We demonstrate that this sequence is a bidirectional splicing enhancer (BSE) in vivo and in vitro, because it activates both the downstream 12S 5′ splice site through the Pu1 motif and the upstream 216-nt intervening sequence (IVS) 3′ splice site through both motifs. UV cross-linking and immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that the BSE interacts with several SR proteins specifically, among them 9G8 and ASF/SF2, which bind preferentially to the Pu1 and Pu2 motifs, respectively. Interestingly, we show by in vitro complementation assays that SR proteins have distinct transactivatory properties. In particular, 9G8, but not ASF/SF2 or SC35, is able to strongly activate the recognition of the 12S 5′ splice site in a BSE-dependent manner in wild-type E1A or in a heterologous context, whereas ASF/SF2 or SC35, but not 9G8, activates the upstream 216-nt IVS splicing. Thus, our results identify a novel exonic BSE and the SR proteins which are involved in its differential activity.

Exon definition may facilitate splice site selection in RNAs with multiple exons

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
B L Robberson ◽  
G J Cote ◽  
S M Berget
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Exon Skipping ◽  
Splice Sites ◽  
Splice Site Selection ◽  
Spliceosome Assembly ◽  
Exon Definition ◽  
Exon 2 ◽  
Correct Orientation

Interactions at the 3' end of the intron initiate spliceosome assembly and splice site selection in vertebrate pre-mRNAs. Multiple factors, including U1 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), are involved in initial recognition at the 3' end of the intron. Experiments were designed to test the possibility that U1 snRNP interaction at the 3' end of the intron during early assembly functions to recognize and define the downstream exon and its resident 5' splice site. Splicing precursor RNAs constructed to have elongated second exons lacking 5' splice sites were deficient in spliceosome assembly and splicing activity in vitro. Similar substrates including a 5' splice site at the end of exon 2 assembled and spliced normally as long as the second exon was less than 300 nucleotides long. U2 snRNPs were required for protection of the 5' splice site terminating exon 2, suggesting direct communication during early assembly between factors binding the 3' and 5' splice sites bordering an exon. We suggest that exons are recognized and defined as units during early assembly by binding of factors to the 3' end of the intron, followed by a search for a downstream 5' splice site. In this view, only the presence of both a 3' and a 5' splice site in the correct orientation and within 300 nucleotides of one another will stable exon complexes be formed. Concerted recognition of exons may help explain the 300-nucleotide-length maximum of vertebrate internal exons, the mechanism whereby the splicing machinery ignores cryptic sites within introns, the mechanism whereby exon skipping is normally avoided, and the phenotypes of 5' splice site mutations that inhibit splicing of neighboring introns.

Recognition of mutant and cryptic 5' splice sites by the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein in vitro

1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 698-707
Author(s):  
B Chabot ◽  
J A Steitz
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Beta Globin ◽  
Splice Sites ◽  
Protection Assay ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein ◽  
Small Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins

We examined the ability of U1 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (U1 snRNPs) to recognize mutant and cryptic 5' splice sites on beta-globin pre-mRNA substrates using an RNase T1 protection assay. When U1 snRNPs were prebound to anti-(U1)RNP antibodies, we detected binding to mutant but not to cryptic 5' splice sites on several substrates. By contrast, in a splicing extract at 0 degree C, neither the mutated nor cryptic 5' splice sites of a human beta-globin transcript were selected as protected fragments with the same antibodies. However, after incubation of the transcript in the extract to yield splicing intermediates, fragments that included a cryptic 5' splice site were detected. The results of our analyses suggest that U1 snRNPs are involved in recognizing cryptic 5' splice sites but that interactions with other splicing components are required to stabilize the association.

scholarly journals Role of the 3′ Splice Site in U12-Dependent Intron Splicing

2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 1942-1952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary C. Dietrich ◽  
Marian J. Peris ◽  
Andrew S. Seyboldt ◽  
Richard A. Padgett
Keyword(s):  
Splice Site ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Intron Splicing ◽  
Splice Sites ◽  
Splice Site Selection ◽  
Branch Site ◽  
Site Function

ABSTRACT U12-dependent introns containing alterations of the 3′ splice site AC dinucleotide or alterations in the spacing between the branch site and the 3′ splice site were examined for their effects on splice site selection in vivo and in vitro. Using an intron with a 5′ splice site AU dinucleotide, any nucleotide could serve as the 3′-terminal nucleotide, although a C residue was most active, while a U residue was least active. The penultimate A residue, by contrast, was essential for 3′ splice site function. A branch site-to-3′ splice site spacing of less than 10 or more than 20 nucleotides strongly activated alternative 3′ splice sites. A strong preference for a spacing of about 12 nucleotides was observed. The combined in vivo and in vitro results suggest that the branch site is recognized in the absence of an active 3′ splice site but that formation of the prespliceosomal complex A requires an active 3′ splice site. Furthermore, the U12-type spliceosome appears to be unable to scan for a distal 3′ splice site.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document