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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
08:53
A Reporter Based Cellular Assay for Monitoring Splicing Efficiency
Published on: September 15, 2021
Serine Starvation Modulates mRNA Splicing through Translational Inhibition of SRSF Proteins
Philippa A Burns1, Negar Tabatabaei2, Laura M Selfors3
1University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL United States.
Cancer Research
|July 22, 2026
Summary
Dietary serine starvation significantly alters cancer cell mRNA splicing by reducing translation of key splicing factors like SRSF6. This impacts DNA damage response and cell survival, offering potential therapeutic strategies.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Serine is a vital nutrient for cancer cell growth and survival.
- Dietary serine starvation is being explored as a cancer therapy for serine auxotrophic tumors.
- Understanding cancer cell responses to serine deprivation is crucial for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of serine starvation on mRNA splicing in cancer cells.
- To identify the molecular mechanisms linking serine availability to RNA splicing regulation.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting serine metabolism and RNA splicing in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Induction of serine starvation in serine-auxotrophic cancer cells.
- Analysis of global mRNA splicing patterns.
- Quantification of serine-rich protein translation, including serine/arginine-rich splicing factors (SRSFs).
- Assessment of DNA damage response and cell survival under serine starvation.
- Combination therapy studies involving RNA splicing modulators and dietary serine starvation.
Main Results:
- Serine starvation caused significant alterations in mRNA splicing.
- Reduced translation of serine-rich proteins, particularly SRSF6, was observed.
- Decreased SRSF6 levels contributed to splicing changes and affected DNA damage response and cell survival.
- Combined treatment with RNA splicing modulators and serine starvation inhibited tumor growth.
Conclusions:
- Serine availability is fundamental for maintaining normal mRNA splicing processes in cancer cells.
- SRSF6 plays a critical role in mediating the effects of serine starvation on RNA splicing, DNA damage, and cell survival.
- Targeting serine metabolism and RNA splicing concurrently presents a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
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