Jiang T, Wang L, Tang L, Zeb A, Hou Y. Identification of two short peptide motifs from serine/arginine-rich protein ribonucleic acid recognition motif-1 domain acting as splicing regulators.
PeerJ 2023;
11:e16103. [PMID:
37744237 PMCID:
PMC10512959 DOI:
10.7717/peerj.16103]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins regulate pre-mRNA splicing. However, structurally similar proteins often behave differently in splicing regulation and the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, using SMN1/2 minigenes we extensively analyzed four SR proteins, SRSF1/5/6/9.
Methods
In this study, the effects of these proteins on SMN1/2 exon 7 splicing when tethered at either intron 6 or 7 were evaluated using an MS2-tethering assay. Deletion analysis in four SR proteins and co-overexpression analysis were performed.
Results
Splicing outcomes varied among all four SR proteins, SRSF1 and SRSF5 function the same at the two sites, acting as repressor and stimulator, respectively; while SRSF6 and SRSF9 promote exon 7 inclusion at only one site. Further, the key domains of each SR proteins were investigated, which identified a potent inhibitory nonapeptide in the C-terminus of SRSF1/9 ribonucleic acid recognition motif-1 (RRM1) and a potent stimulatory heptapeptide at the N-terminus of SRSF5/6 RRM1.
Conclusion
The insight of the four SR proteins and their domains in affecting SMN gene splicing brings a new perspective on the modes of action of SR proteins; and the functional peptides obtained here offers new ideas for developing splice switching-related therapies.
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