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Updated: Jul 30, 2026
11:48
Detection of Alternative Splicing During Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: October 9, 2014
Alternate exon usage is a commonly used mechanism for increasing coding diversity within genes coding for
C D Boyd1, R A Pierce, J E Schwarzbauer
1Department of Surgery, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick 08903.
Matrix (Stuttgart, Germany)
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Alternative splicing of extracellular matrix (ECM) genes generates diverse protein variants. This review explores how alternative exon usage in ECM protein genes impacts their functions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are crucial secreted proteins and glycoproteins essential for tissue structure and function.
- Numerous multiexon genes encode these vital ECM proteins.
- Recent research highlights the role of alternative splicing in the pre-mRNA processing of several ECM genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review known instances of alternative splicing in genes encoding extracellular matrix proteins.
- To investigate the relationship between alternative splicing, increased coding diversity, and the functions of ECM proteins.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on alternative splicing in ECM genes.
- Analysis of exon usage patterns in ECM gene families.
- Correlation of alternative splicing events with known ECM protein functions.
Main Results:
- Identification of multiple ECM genes exhibiting alternative splicing.
- Demonstration of increased protein diversity through alternate exon inclusion/exclusion.
- Emerging evidence linking specific splicing variants to distinct functional roles in various tissues.
Conclusions:
- Alternative splicing is a significant mechanism contributing to the functional diversity of extracellular matrix proteins.
- Understanding these splicing events is key to comprehending ECM protein roles in health and disease.
- Further research into ECM gene splicing will illuminate novel therapeutic targets.
Related Concept Videos
01:42The Extracellular Matrix
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.Composition of the Extracellular MatrixThe extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse molecules.
01:32RNA Splicing
Splicing is the process by which eukaryotic RNA is edited before its translation into protein. The RNA strand transcribed from eukaryotic DNA is called the primary transcript. The primary transcripts that become mRNAs are called precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). Eukaryotic pre-mRNA contains alternating sequences of exons and introns. Exons are nucleotide sequences that code for proteins, whereas introns are the non-coding regions. In RNA splicing, introns are removed and exons are bonded...
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Alternative RNA splicing is the regulated splicing of exons and introns to produce different mature mRNAs from a single pre-mRNA. Unlike in constitutive splicing where a single gene produces a single type of mRNA, alternative splicing allows an organism to produce multiple proteins from a single gene and plays an important role in protein diversity.
There are five types of alternative RNA splicing that vary in the ways the pre-mRNA segments are removed or retained in the mature mRNA. The first...
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02:32Exon Recombination
The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes.
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
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02:18Alternative RNA Splicing
Alternative RNA splicing is the regulated splicing of exons and introns to produce different mature mRNAs from a single pre-mRNA. Unlike in constitutive splicing where a single gene produces a single type of mRNA, alternative splicing allows an organism to produce multiple proteins from a single gene and plays an important role in protein diversity.
There are five types of alternative RNA splicing that vary in the ways the pre-mRNA segments are removed or retained in the mature mRNA. The first...
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01:29The Extracellular Matrix
Overview
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...