Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2025
11:48
Detection of Alternative Splicing During Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: October 9, 2014
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Alternative mRNA splicing events and regulators in epidermal differentiation.
Shota Takashima1, Wujianan Sun2, Auke B C Otten1
1Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92109, USA.
Cell Reports
|February 25, 2024
Summary
Alternative splicing (AS) generates diverse RNA and protein forms in human epidermal differentiation. This study identified key AS events and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) critical for skin homeostasis and cell signaling.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Dermatology
Background:
- Alternative splicing (AS) is a key mechanism generating protein diversity from a limited genome.
- Human epidermal differentiation involves complex cellular processes essential for skin barrier function.
- Understanding AS in epidermal development is crucial for identifying mechanisms of skin homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alternative splicing events during human epidermal differentiation.
- To identify RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that regulate epidermal AS.
- To elucidate the functional role of specific AS events in keratinocyte behavior and skin development.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of alternative splicing events in human epidermal differentiation.
- Prediction of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) involved in regulating epidermal AS.
- Functional characterization of AS events and their impact on cell signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- Identified 6,413 AS events in human epidermal differentiation, predominantly cassette exons.
- Predicted 34 RBPs regulating epidermal AS, including 19 novel candidates.
- Identified FUS as an RBP controlling keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation balance.
- Characterized a MAP3K7 cassette exon AS switch during differentiation, enforcing cell layer demarcation.
Conclusions:
- Alternative splicing is extensive in the human epidermis.
- AS plays critical roles in maintaining skin homeostasis and regulating epidermal development.
- Specific AS events, like in MAP3K7, are essential for establishing distinct cellular layers in the skin.
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