Variable requirement for splicing signals for nucleocytoplasmic export of mRNAs

Using in situ hybridisation to detect the intracellular localisation of mRNAs we have found that mRNAs expressed from intronless cDNAs of normally intronic genes are expressed well but largely retained in nuclei. The degree of nuclear retention is quite variable but in all cases addition of splicing signals to the expression cassette are required for efficient export of the mRNAs from nucleus to cytoplasm. In contrast mRNAs expressed from the intronless genes of hamster beta-adrenergic receptor and human serotonin receptor type 1A showed very little nuclear accumulation and strong expression in the cytoplasm independently of splicing signals. The data demonstrate a link between splicing and export and dissemble from the idea that splicing enhances mRNA expression by protecting nascent nuclear mRNAs from degradation.