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miRNA-Based Regulation of Alternative RNA Splicing in Metazoans
Anna L Schorr1, Marco Mangone2
1Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, 427 East Tyler Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|November 13, 2021
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate gene expression and influence alternative RNA splicing. Dysregulation of miRNAs impacts splicing factor dosage, affecting gene expression in development and disease.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Alternative RNA splicing increases gene diversity by including or excluding exons.
- RNA binding proteins control splicing in a dosage-dependent manner.
- Mechanisms maintaining splicing factor dosage are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and analyze recent studies on microRNAs (miRNAs) modulating alternative RNA splicing factors.
- To explore how miRNA-mediated regulation contributes to transcript rearrangements.
- To understand the role of these events in tissue development and disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and analysis of recent studies.
- Compilation of research on miRNA-splicing factor interactions.
- Examination of evidence from tissue development and disease contexts.
Main Results:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can modulate the dosage of RNA splicing factors.
- Dysregulation of miRNA pathways disrupts alternative RNA splicing.
- miRNAs may influence gene expression post-transcriptionally and pre-mRNA splicing co-transcriptionally.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs play a significant role in regulating alternative RNA splicing.
- Altered miRNA activity can lead to aberrant splicing factor dosage, impacting gene expression.
- This regulatory axis is crucial in normal tissue development and disease pathogenesis.
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