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Intron retention enhances gene regulatory complexity in vertebrates
Ulf Schmitz1,2, Natalia Pinello1,2,3, Fangzhi Jia1,2
1Gene & Stem Cell Therapy Program, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2050, NSW, Australia.
Genome Biology
|November 17, 2017
Summary
Intron retention (IR) is a key gene expression regulator across vertebrates. This study reveals conserved features of intron-retaining transcripts, highlighting their role in gene regulatory complexity and evolutionary adaptation.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Intron retention (IR) is a crucial, yet understudied, mechanism of alternative splicing in gene expression.
- This study investigates conserved features of IR across vertebrate evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a phylogenetic analysis of intron retention in neutrophilic granulocytes.
- To uncover conserved characteristics of intron-retaining transcripts and their regulatory roles.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis of intron retention.
- RNA sequencing of neutrophilic granulocytes from five vertebrate species.
- Analysis of gene co-regulation, 3' UTR sequences, and microRNA binding sites.
Main Results:
- IR increases gene regulatory complexity, showing an anti-correlation with the number of protein-coding genes.
- Conserved IR affects orthologous or functionally related genes in granulocytes.
- Intron-retaining genes are co-regulated by bidirectional promoters and possess longer 3' UTRs with increased microRNA binding sites, indicating post-transcriptional regulation.
Conclusions:
- Intron retention is a robust, evolutionarily conserved mechanism for gene expression regulation.
- IR contributes to gene regulatory complexity and evolutionary adaptation.
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