Sam68 sequestration and partial loss of function are associated with splicing alterations in FXTAS patients.

Fragile X-associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome (FXTAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of 55-200 CGG repeats in the 5'-UTR of the FMR1 gene. FXTAS is characterized by action tremor, gait ataxia and impaired executive cognitive functioning. It has been proposed that FXTAS is caused by titration of RNA-binding proteins by the expanded CGG repeats.

Differential effects of the SR proteins 9G8, SC35, ASF/SF2, and SRp40 on the utilization of the A1 to A5 splicing sites of HIV-1 RNA.

Splicing is a crucial step for human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1) multiplication; eight acceptor sites are used in competition to produce the vif, vpu, vpr, nef, env, tat, and rev mRNAs. The effects of SR proteins have only been investigated on a limited number of HIV-1 splicing sites by using small HIV-1 RNA pieces. To understand how SR proteins influence the use of HIV-1 splicing sites, we tested the effects of overproduction of individual SR proteins in HeLa cells on the splicing pattern of an HIV-1 RNA that contained all the splicing sites.

Delineation of the mechanisms of aberrant splicing caused by two unusual intronic mutations in the RSK2 gene involved in Coffin-Lowry syndrome.

Coffin-Lowry syndrome (CLS) is caused by mutations in the RSK2 gene encoding a protein kinase of the Ras signalling pathway. We have studied two point mutations which cause aberrant splicing but do not concern the invariant GT or AG nucleotides of splice sites. The first, an A-->G transition at position +3 of the 5' splice site of exon 6, results in vivo and in vitro in exon skipping and premature translation termination.

SR splicing factors serve as adapter proteins for TAP-dependent mRNA export.

The only mammalian RNA binding adapter proteins known to partner with TAP/NXF1, the primary receptor for general mRNA export, are members of the REF family. We demonstrate that at least three shuttling SR (serine/arginine-rich) proteins interact with the same domain of TAP/NXF1 that binds REFs. Included are 9G8 and SRp20, previously shown to promote the export of intronless RNAs.

Roles of hnRNP A1, SR proteins, and p68 helicase in c-H-ras alternative splicing regulation.

Human ras genes play central roles in coupling extracellular signals with complex intracellular networks controlling proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, among others processes. c-H-ras pre-mRNA can be alternatively processed into two mRNAs due to the inclusion or exclusion of the alternative exon IDX; this renders two proteins, p21H-Ras and p19H-RasIDX, which differ only at the carboxy terminus. Here, we have characterized some of the cis-acting sequences and trans-acting factors regulating IDX splicing.

A Janus splicing regulatory element modulates HIV-1 tat and rev mRNA production by coordination of hnRNP A1 cooperative binding.

Retroviral protein production depends upon alternative splicing of the viral transcript. The HIV-1 acceptor site A7 is required for tat and rev mRNA production. Production of the Tat transcriptional activator is highly controlled because of its apoptotic properties.