Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Xenopus laevis as a Model to Identify Translation Impairment
10:24

Xenopus laevis as a Model to Identify Translation Impairment

Published on: September 27, 2015

Mouse microtubule-associated protein 4 (MAP4) transcript diversity generated by alternative polyadenylation

R J Code1, J B Olmsted

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Rochester, NY 14627.

Gene
|December 15, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Mouse microtubule-associated protein 4 (MAP4) gene generates two distinct 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) through alternative polyadenylation. This alternative polyadenylation affects MAP4 transcript length and tissue-specific expression.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mouse microtubule-associated protein 4 (MAP4) is crucial for microtubule stability in vivo.
  • MAP4 is encoded by a single gene producing multiple transcripts across cell types.
  • Previous research established the existence of MAP4 transcripts but lacked detail on their 3'-UTR variations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize distinct 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs) in mouse MAP4 transcripts.
  • To investigate the role of alternative polyadenylation in generating MAP4 transcript diversity.
  • To analyze the tissue-specific expression patterns of different MAP4 transcript variants.

Main Methods:

  • Identification of two distinct 3'-UTRs in MAP4 transcripts.
  • Analysis of polyadenylation site usage and poly(A) tail formation.
  • Northern blot analysis using probes specific to coding and unique 3'-UTR sequences.
  • Examination of RNA from various tissues to determine transcript distribution.

Main Results:

  • Two distinct 3'-UTRs were identified for mouse MAP4 transcripts, differing by an additional 775 nucleotides in the longer variant.
  • Alternative polyadenylation site usage was confirmed as the mechanism generating these distinct UTRs.
  • Northern blot analysis revealed tissue-specific expression patterns, with longer transcripts predominantly found in certain cell types and muscle tissue exhibiting unique transcript sizes (8 and 9 kb).

Conclusions:

  • Alternative polyadenylation is a key mechanism generating MAP4 transcript diversity.
  • Distinct 3'-UTRs contribute to differential transcript length and potentially influence mRNA stability or translation.
  • Tissue-specific expression of MAP4 transcripts suggests cell-type-specific roles for different MAP4 isoforms.

More Related Videos

Identification of Alternative Splicing and Polyadenylation in RNA-seq Data08:35

Identification of Alternative Splicing and Polyadenylation in RNA-seq Data

Published on: June 24, 2021

An Integrated Approach for Microprotein Identification and Sequence Analysis09:37

An Integrated Approach for Microprotein Identification and Sequence Analysis

Published on: July 12, 2022

Related Concept Videos

RNA Splicing01:32

RNA Splicing

Splicing is the process by which eukaryotic RNA is edited before its translation into protein. The RNA strand transcribed from eukaryotic DNA is called the primary transcript. The primary transcripts that become mRNAs are called precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). Eukaryotic pre-mRNA contains alternating sequences of exons and introns. Exons are nucleotide sequences that code for proteins, whereas introns are the non-coding regions. In RNA splicing, introns are removed and exons are bonded...
Regulated mRNA Transport02:22

Regulated mRNA Transport

In eukaryotes, transcription and translation are compartmentalized; an mRNA is first synthesized in the nucleus and then selectively transported to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis. Before transport, a pre-mRNA undergoes several steps of post-transcriptional modifications including splicing, 5' capping, and the addition of a poly-adenine tail. Various proteins bind to the pre-mRNA during these modifications. The mRNA transport takes place with the help of multiple proteins playing specific...
Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)01:42

Microtubule Associated Proteins (MAPs)

Microtubule function and architecture are regulated by an array of specialized proteins called microtubule-associated proteins or MAPs. These proteins are widespread across different organisms and have conserved protein motifs, like the multi-TOG domain for tubulin binding found in the CLASP family of MAPs. Some MAPs are lineage-specific based on their conserved domains. Their functions depend upon the cytoskeletal architecture and cell type they are located within. In-plant cells, a specific...
Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated assembly and...
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...