Neuronal RNA processing: cross-talk between transcriptional regulation and RNA-binding proteins.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Alternative RNA processing generates thousands of unique transcript variants in the nervous system.
• Neuron-specific RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) co-transcriptionally regulate splicing, polyadenylation, and editing.
• RBPs interacting with cis-regulatory elements influence neuron-specific gene expression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To discuss mechanisms of transcription-RNA processing crosstalk in generating the neuronal transcriptome.
• To focus on the role of alternative 3'-end formation in neuronal complexity.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent evidence on RBP-cis-regulatory element interactions.
• Discussion of proposed mechanisms for transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation interplay.
• Focus on alternative 3'-end processing events.

Main Results:

• Neuron-specific RBPs are key regulators of transcript diversity.
• Interactions between RBPs and cis-regulatory elements are crucial for neuron-specific expression.
• Alternative 3'-end formation significantly contributes to neuronal transcriptome complexity.

Conclusions:

• Transcription and RNA processing crosstalk generates the complex neuronal transcriptome.
• Understanding these mechanisms is vital for deciphering neuronal cell identity.
• Alternative 3'-end processing is a major driver of neuronal RNA diversity.