Aberrant alternative splicing is another hallmark of cancer

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Cancer Research

Background:

• The majority of human genes undergo alternative splicing, generating diverse protein isoforms.
• Alternative splicing plays a crucial role in cellular function, with aberrant patterns linked to various diseases, including cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the significance of alternative splicing in cancer.
• To propose the inclusion of aberrant alternative splicing as a hallmark of cancer.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on alternative splicing and cancer.
• Analysis of the role of splice factors and their kinases in cancer-associated splicing changes.

Main Results:

• Alternative splicing produces proteins with distinct and sometimes opposing functions.
• Abnormal expression of splice factors and kinases in cancer disrupts normal pre-mRNA splicing.
• These splicing alterations affect critical genes involved in cancer pathways.

Conclusions:

• Aberrant alternative splicing is a significant factor in cancer development.
• The dysregulation of alternative splicing should be recognized as a fundamental cancer hallmark alongside other established hallmarks.