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Bao N, Wang Z, Fu J, Dong H, Jin Y. RNA structure in alternative splicing regulation: from mechanism to therapy. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2024. [PMID: 39034824 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2024119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing is a highly intricate process that plays a crucial role in post-transcriptional regulation and significantly expands the functional proteome of a limited number of coding genes in eukaryotes. Its regulation is multifactorial, with RNA structure exerting a significant impact. Aberrant RNA conformations lead to dysregulation of splicing patterns, which directly affects the manifestation of disease symptoms. In this review, the molecular mechanisms of RNA secondary structure-mediated splicing regulation are summarized, with a focus on the complex interplay between aberrant RNA conformations and disease phenotypes resulted from splicing defects. This study also explores additional factors that reshape structural conformations, enriching our understanding of the mechanistic network underlying structure-mediated splicing regulation. In addition, an emphasis has been placed on the clinical role of targeting aberrant splicing corrections in human diseases. The principal mechanisms of action behind this phenomenon are described, followed by a discussion of prospective development strategies and pertinent challenges.
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Holm LL, Doktor TK, Flugt KK, Petersen US, Petersen R, Andresen B. All exons are not created equal-exon vulnerability determines the effect of exonic mutations on splicing. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:4588-4603. [PMID: 38324470 PMCID: PMC11077056 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
It is now widely accepted that aberrant splicing of constitutive exons is often caused by mutations affecting cis-acting splicing regulatory elements (SREs), but there is a misconception that all exons have an equal dependency on SREs and thus a similar vulnerability to aberrant splicing. We demonstrate that some exons are more likely to be affected by exonic splicing mutations (ESMs) due to an inherent vulnerability, which is context dependent and influenced by the strength of exon definition. We have developed VulExMap, a tool which is based on empirical data that can designate whether a constitutive exon is vulnerable. Using VulExMap, we find that only 25% of all exons can be categorized as vulnerable, whereas two-thirds of 359 previously reported ESMs in 75 disease genes are located in vulnerable exons. Because VulExMap analysis is based on empirical data on splicing of exons in their endogenous context, it includes all features important in determining the vulnerability. We believe that VulExMap will be an important tool when assessing the effect of exonic mutations by pinpointing whether they are located in exons vulnerable to ESMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise L Holm
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
- Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Thomas K Doktor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
- Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Katharina K Flugt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
- Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Ulrika S S Petersen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
- Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Rikke Petersen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
- Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Brage S Andresen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
- Villum Center for Bioanalytical Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
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