Alternative mRNA Splicing in the Pathogenesis of Obesity

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Alternative mRNA splicing expands proteome diversity by producing multiple protein isoforms.
• However, many annotated splice variants are not detected, and differences from canonical sequences are often minor.
• Mis-splicing is linked to numerous human diseases, with a focus on genetic factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of environmental factors, particularly diet-induced obesity, in mRNA mis-splicing.
• To discuss the regulation of splice variants for well-known metabolic factors under obesity.
• To explore therapeutic strategies targeting alternative mRNA mis-splicing for obesity-associated diseases.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on alternative splicing, obesity, and metabolic factors.
• Analysis of recent advances in splice variant regulation.
• Discussion of potential therapeutic targets.

Main Results:

• Significant changes in exon skipping and splicing factor expression occur in diet-induced obesity.
• Specific metabolic factors are alternatively spliced and regulated under pathophysiological obesity conditions.
• Environmental perturbations, like diet, contribute to mis-splicing.

Conclusions:

• Alternative mRNA mis-splicing is implicated in obesity and associated diseases.
• Understanding splicing regulation in obesity is crucial for developing new therapies.
• Targeting aberrant splicing pathways presents a promising therapeutic avenue for metabolic disorders.