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Updated: Sep 17, 2025

Engineering Artificial Factors to Specifically Manipulate Alternative Splicing in Human Cells
Published on: April 26, 2017
Best evidence linking the extracellular factor TGF-β to cancer-associated alternative splicing programs
Opeoluwa Alli-Oke1, Jean-Philippe Brosseau1,2,3
1Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomic, Sherbrooke, QC, J1E4K8, Canada.
Abstract:
Alternative splicing is a mechanism by which several RNA transcripts can be created from one gene. Splicing factors are RNA binding proteins recognizing cis-acting sequences that positively or negatively influence the splicing decision based on their relative position to the splice site and identity. However, few studies have focused on the regulation of splicing factors, and even less on the regulation of alternative splicing from extracellular factors. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β) is a well study extracellular factors regulating multiple cancer-associated cell phenotype (apoptosis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, differentiation into cancer-associated fibroblasts) in a cell type-dependent manner. Intriguingly, there is examples of alternative splicing variants and/or their regulatory splicing factors influencing each of these hallmarks in vitro. Here, we provide the best evidence suggesting that TGF-β may drive cancer-associated alternative splicing programs.
Insights
Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β) may regulate cancer-associated alternative splicing. This extracellular factor influences cell phenotypes, potentially driving splicing programs critical for cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Biology
- RNA Biology
Background:
- Alternative splicing generates diverse RNA transcripts from a single gene.
- Splicing factors, RNA-binding proteins, control splicing decisions.
- Regulation of splicing factors and alternative splicing by extracellular factors is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of extracellular factors in regulating alternative splicing.
- To explore the potential of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β) in driving cancer-associated alternative splicing programs.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on splicing factors and TGF-β.
- Analysis of known examples linking alternative splicing variants or splicing factors to cancer hallmarks.
- Correlation of TGF-β's known cellular effects with alternative splicing regulation.
Main Results:
- TGF-β is a known regulator of multiple cancer-associated cell phenotypes.
- Alternative splicing variants and their regulatory factors are implicated in cancer hallmarks.
- Evidence suggests a link between TGF-β signaling and cancer-associated alternative splicing.
Conclusions:
- TGF-β signaling may play a significant role in orchestrating alternative splicing programs in cancer.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms by which TGF-β influences alternative splicing in cancer.
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