The birth of an alternatively spliced exon: 3' splice-site selection in Alu exons

Science. 2003 May 23;300(5623):1288-91. doi: 10.1126/science.1082588.

Abstract

Alu repetitive elements can be inserted into mature messenger RNAs via a splicing-mediated process termed exonization. To understand the molecular basis and the regulation of the process of turning intronic Alus into new exons, we compiled and analyzed a data set of human exonized Alus. We revealed a mechanism that governs 3' splice-site selection in these exons during alternative splicing. On the basis of these findings, we identified mutations that activated the exonization of a silent intronic Alu.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Deaminase / genetics
  • Alternative Splicing*
  • Alu Elements / genetics*
  • Cell Line
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • DNA, Antisense
  • Dinucleoside Phosphates / genetics
  • Exons*
  • Genome, Human
  • Glucosyltransferases / genetics
  • Humans
  • Introns
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Point Mutation
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA Splicing Factors
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / genetics
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear / physiology
  • Spliceosomes / metabolism
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • DNA, Antisense
  • Dinucleoside Phosphates
  • RNA Splicing Factors
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Ribonucleoproteins, Small Nuclear
  • SLU7 protein, human
  • adenylyl-(3'-5')-guanosine
  • Glucosyltransferases
  • ADARB1 protein, human
  • Adenosine Deaminase