A splicing variant of Charlatan, a Drosophila REST-like molecule, preferentially localizes to axons

Neuron-restrictive silencing factor (NRSF), also known as RE-1 silencing transcription factor (REST), has pivotal functions in many neuron-specific genes. Previous studies revealed that neuron-specific alternative splicing (AS) of REST produces divergent forms of REST variants and provides regulatory complexity in the nervous system. However, the biological significance of these variants in the regulation of neuronal activities remains to be clarified. Here, we revealed that Charlatan (Chn), a Drosophila REST-like molecule, is also regulated by neuron-specific AS. Neuron-specific AS produced six divergent variants of Chn proteins, one of which preferentially localized to axons. A small sequence of this variant was especially important for the axonal localization. Our data suggest that some variants have roles beyond the transcriptional regulation of neuronal activities.