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Updated: Jun 20, 2025

Quantitative Analysis of Alternative Pre-mRNA Splicing in Mouse Brain Sections Using RNA In Situ Hybridization Assay
Published on: August 26, 2018
Dynamic regulation of alternative polyadenylation by PQBP1 during neurogenesis
Xian Liu1, Hao Xie1, Wenhua Liu1
1School of Life Science and Technology, The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center of Ministry of Education, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China.
Abstract:
Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is a critical post-transcriptional process that generates mRNA isoforms with distinct 3' untranslated regions (3' UTRs), thereby regulating mRNA localization, stability, and translational efficiency. Cell-type-specific APA extensively shapes the diversity of the cellular transcriptome, particularly during cell fate transition. Despite its recognized significance, the precise regulatory mechanisms governing cell-type-specific APA remain unclear. In this study, we uncover PQBP1 as an emerging APA regulator that actively maintains cell-specific APA profiles in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and delicately manages the equilibrium between NPC proliferation and differentiation. Multi-omics analysis shows that PQBP1 directly interacts with the upstream UGUA elements, impeding the recruitment of the CFIm complex and influencing polyadenylation site selection within genes associated with the cell cycle. Our findings elucidate the molecular mechanism by which PQBP1 orchestrates dynamic APA changes during neurogenesis, providing valuable insights into the precise regulation of cell-type-specific APA and the underlying pathogenic mechanisms in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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