Alternatively spliced isoforms of a novel stromal RNA regulating factor

Bone marrow stromal cells (MSC) are pluripotent cells that possess a unique capacity to differentiate under appropriate conditions into various lineages. The MSC differentiation is dependent on factors that can switch on and maintain a relevant genetic program to make a particular cell type. The present study describes the cloning and molecular analysis of a novel gene, SRRF (Stromal RNA Regulating Factor), suggested to be involved in RNA processing in MSC. We cloned two alternatively spliced isoforms of this gene, transcripts A and B, from the marrow stromal cells expression library. Differential expression analysis demonstrated a restricted expression of the transcripts to MSC, while other spliced forms of this gene were detected in other tissues. The bioinformatic analysis of the two isoforms revealed RNA binding motifs (RRM), protein-protein and protein-DNA interaction motifs. Participation of SRRF isoforms in post-transcriptional events in MSC is believed to govern the tissue specificity of RNA transcription and to have an important role in regulation of the RNA expression that directs the MSC differentiation pathway.