Alternative trans-splicing: a novel mode of pre-mRNA processing
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Published on: December 9, 2016
Takayuki Horiuchi1, Toshiro Aigaki
1Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1-1 Minami-osawa, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan.
Abstract:
Alternative splicing is an important process contributing to proteome diversity without involving an increase in the number of genes. In some cases, alternative splicing is carried out under 'trans-mode', called alternative trans-splicing, in which exons located on separate pre-mRNA molecules are selectively joined to produce mature mRNAs encoding proteins with distinct structures and functions. However, it is not known how widespread or how frequently trans-splicing occurs in vivo. Recently, trans-allelic trans-splicing has been unambiguously demonstrated in Drosophila using a SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) as a marker. In this review, we provide an overview of alternative trans-splicing in Drosophila and mammals, and discuss its mechanisms.
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