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Intronic sequences flanking alternatively spliced exons are conserved between human and mouse.
1Department of Human Genetics, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel.
Genome Research
|July 4, 2003
Summary
Conserved intronic sequences between humans and mice are strongly linked to alternative splicing regulation. These intronic regions play a crucial role in controlling how genes are spliced, impacting gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Comparative genomics reveals numerous conserved nonexonic, nonexpressed sequences between mouse and human genomes.
- The function of these conserved intronic sequences remains largely unknown, prompting investigation into their potential roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between conserved intronic sequences and alternative splicing regulation.
- To identify alternatively spliced exons conserved in both human and mouse genomes.
Main Methods:
- Developed a method to identify alternatively spliced exons conserved across human and mouse.
- Compiled datasets of conserved alternatively spliced exons and conserved constitutively spliced exons.
- Analyzed the flanking intronic sequences for conservation and length.
Main Results:
- 77% of conserved alternatively spliced exons were flanked by long conserved intronic sequences, compared to only 17% of constitutively spliced exons.
- Average lengths of flanking conserved intronic sequences were 103 bases (upstream) and 94 bases (downstream).
- High sequence identity (88% upstream, 80% downstream) in flanking intronic regions exceeded conservation in promoter regions.
Conclusions:
- Conserved intronic sequences likely play a significant role in regulating alternative splicing.
- These findings suggest a functional role for previously uncharacterized conserved intronic sequences.