NF1 mRNA biogenesis: effect of the genomic milieu in splicing regulation of the NF1 exon 37 region

We have studied the splicing regulation of NF1 exons 36 and 37. We show that they not only require an intact exonic Splicing Enhancer (ESE) within exon 37, but also need the genomic region stretching from exons 31 to 38. Any nucleotide change in two exon 37 third codon positions disrupts the ESE. The extent of exons 36 and 37 skipping due to a mutated ESE depends on the genomic context. This is a unique example of what may be a more general phenomena involved in the tuning of pre-mRNA processing and gene expression modulation in the chromosomal setting.     

Identification of a cis-acting element involved in the regulation of BACE1 mRNA alternative splicing

β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) is the transmembrane aspartyl protease that catalyzes the first cleavage step during proteolysis of the β-amyloid precursor protein, a process involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. BACE1 pre-mRNA undergoes complex alternative splicing, and cis -acting elements important for its regulation have not been identified. We constructed and compared several BACE1 minigenes and found that BACE1 sequence from exon 3 through exon 5 was required for minigenes to undergo correct splicing. Minigene splicing was validated by showing specific splicing inhibition upon splice site mutation. Furthermore, we showed that mutation of the minigene at a predicted exonic splicing enhancer in exon 4 of BACE1 increased exon 4 skipping. Therefore, we have for the first time found evidence of a regulatory site involved in BACE1 alternative splicing, and these data indicate that minor sequence changes can dramatically alter BACE1 alternative splicing.     

Functional Analysis of Mutations in Exon 9 of NF1 Reveals the Presence of Several Elements Regulating Splicing

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common human hereditary disorders, predisposing individuals to the development of benign and malignant tumors in the nervous system, as well as other clinical manifestations. NF1 is caused by heterozygous mutations in the NF1 gene and around 25% of the pathogenic changes affect pre-mRNA splicing. Since the molecular mechanisms affected by these mutations are poorly understood, we have analyzed the splicing mutations identified in exon 9 of NF1, which is particularly prone to such changes, to better define the possible splicing regulatory elements. Using a minigene approach, we studied the effect of five splicing mutations in this exon described in patients. These highlighted three regulatory motifs within the exon. An in vivo splicing analysis of an extensive collection of changes generated in the minigene demonstrated that the CG motif at c.910-911 is critical for the recognition of exon 9. We also found that the GC motif at c.945-946 is involved in exon recognition through SRSF2 and that this motif is part of a Composite Exon Splicing Regulatory Element made up of physically overlapping enhancer and silencer elements. Finally, through an in vivo splicing analysis and in vitro binding assays, we demonstrated that the c.1007G>A mutation creates an Exonic Splicing Silencer element that binds the hnRNPA1 protein. The complexity of the splicing regulatory elements present in exon 9 is most likely responsible for the fact that mutations in this region represent 25% of all exonic changes that affect splicing in the NF1 gene.     

Quaking and PTB control overlapping splicing regulatory networks during muscle cell differentiation

Alternative splicing contributes to muscle development, but a complete set of muscle-splicing factors and their combinatorial interactions are unknown. Previous work identified ACUAA (“STAR” motif) as an enriched intron sequence near muscle-specific alternative exons such as Capzb exon 9. Mass spectrometry of myoblast proteins selected by the Capzb exon 9 intron via RNA affinity chromatography identifies Quaking (QK), a protein known to regulate mRNA function through ACUAA motifs in 3′ UTRs. We find that QK promotes inclusion of Capzb exon 9 in opposition to repression by polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB). QK depletion alters inclusion of 406 cassette exons whose adjacent intron sequences are also enriched in ACUAA motifs. During differentiation of myoblasts to myotubes, QK levels increase two- to threefold, suggesting a mechanism for QK-responsive exon regulation. Combined analysis of the PTB- and QK-splicing regulatory networks during myogenesis suggests that 39% of regulated exons are under the control of one or both of these splicing factors. This work provides the first evidence that QK is a global regulator of splicing during muscle development in vertebrates and shows how overlapping splicing regulatory networks contribute to gene expression programs during differentiation.     

Two recurrent nonsense mutations and a 4 bp deletion in a quasi-symmetric element in exon 37 of the NF1 gene

We screened a total of 92 unrelated patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) for mutations in exon 37 of the NF1 gene, by using temperature gradient gel electrophoresis. Two novel mutations were found: a 4 bp deletion in a so-called quasi-symmetric element (6789delTTAC) and a recurrent nonsense mutation, which was identified in two unrelated patients, at codon 2264 (C6792A). The independent origin of the latter mutation in two families was confirmed by haplotype analysis. The nonsense mutation and the 4 bp deletion are both predicted to lead to a truncated protein product lacking the Cterminal 20% (aproximately) of its sequence. The occurrence of three independent mutations among 92 NF1 patients at codons 2263–2264 (exon 37) suggests that a specific search for mutations in this area should be undertaken in screening programs for NF1 mutations.     

Factors associated with a purine-rich exonic splicing enhancer sequence in Xenopus oocyte nucleus

Purine-rich exonic splicing enhancers (ESEs) stimulate splicing of the adjacent introns with suboptimal splice sites. To elucidate the mechanism regarding ESEs, factors specifically associated with ESEs in HeLa cell nuclear extracts were previously investigated, and shown to include SR (serine/arginine-rich) proteins. However, factors associated with ESEs in vivo have not yet been explored. Here we show that a GAA repeat RNA sequence, a typical ESE, is associated in Xenopus oocyte nuclei with at least one SR protein, SF2/ASF, as was expected. Moreover, components of SF3a/b complexes, U2 snRNA, and U2AF(65) were also found to be associated with the ESE in the nucleus. Since SF3a/b complexes are the constituents of the 17S U2 snRNP, these results suggest that the 17S U2 snRNP is associated with the ESE in the nucleus, probably through bridging interactions of U2AF and SR proteins. The identified factors may represent a functional splicing enhancer complex in vivo.     

Novel c.G630A TCIRG1 mutation causes aberrant splicing resulting in an unusually mild form of autosomal recessive osteopetrosis

Autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (ARO) is a severe genetic bone disease characterized by high bone density due to mutations that affect formation or function of osteoclasts. Mutations in the a3 subunit of the vacuolar-type H⁺-ATPase (encoded by T-cell immune regulator 1 [TCIRG1]) are responsible for ~50% of all ARO cases. We identified a novel TCIRG1 (c.G630A) mutation responsible for an unusually mild form of the disease. To characterize this mutation, osteoclasts were differentiated using peripheral blood monocytes from the patient (c.G630A/c.G630A), male sibling (+/+), unaffected female sibling (+/c.G630A), and unaffected parent (+/c.G630A). Osteoclast formation, bone-resorbing function, TCIRG1 protein, and mRNA expression levels were assessed. The c.G630A mutation did not affect osteoclast differentiation; however, bone-resorbing function was decreased. Both TCIRG1 protein and full-length TCIRG1 mRNA expression levels were also diminished in the affected patient's sample. The c.G630A mutation replaces the last nucleotide of exon 6 and may cause splicing defects. We analyzed the TCIRG1 splicing pattern between exons 4 to 8 and detected deletions of exons 5, 6, 7, and 5-6 (ΔE56). These deletions were only observed in c.G630A/c.G630A and +/c.G630A samples, but not in +/+ controls. Among these deletions, only ΔE56 maintained the reading frame and was predicted to generate an 85 kDa protein. Exons 5-6 encode an uncharacterized portion of the cytoplasmic N-terminal domain of a3, a domain not involved in proton translocation. To investigate the effect of ΔE56 on V-ATPase function, we transformed yeast with plasmids carrying full-length or truncated Vph1p, the yeast ortholog of a3. Both proteins were expressed; however, ΔE56-Vph1p transformed yeast failed to grow on Zn²⁺-containing plates, a growth assay dependent on V-ATPase-mediated vacuolar acidification. In conclusion, our results show that the ΔE56 truncated protein is not functional, suggesting that the mild ARO phenotype observed in the patient is likely due to the residual full-length protein expression.     

Binding of DAZAP1 and hnRNPA1/A2 to an exonic splicing silencer in a natural BRCA1 exon 18 mutant

A disease-causing G-to-T transversion at position +6 of BRCA1 exon 18 induces exclusion of the exon from the mRNA and, as has been suggested by in silico analysis, disrupts an ASF/SF2-dependent splicing enhancer. We show here using a pulldown assay with an internal standard that wild-type (WT) and mutant T6 sequences displayed similar ASF/SF2 binding efficiencies, which were significantly lower than that of a typical exonic splicing enhancer derived from the extra domain A exon of fibronectin. Overexpression or small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated depletion of ASF/SF2 did not affect the splicing of a WT BRCA1 minigene but resulted in an increase and decrease of T6 exon 18 inclusion, respectively. Furthermore, extensive mutation analysis using hybrid minigenes indicated that the T6 mutant creates a sequence with a prevalently inhibitory function. Indeed, RNA-protein interaction and siRNA experiments showed that the skipping of T6 BRCA1 exon 18 is due to the creation of a splicing factor-dependent silencer. This sequence specifically binds to the known repressor protein hnRNPA1/A2 and to DAZAP1, the involvement of which in splicing inhibition we have demonstrated. Our results indicate that the binding of the splicing factors hnRNPA1/A2 and DAZAP1 is the primary determinant of T6 BRCA1 exon 18 exclusion.     

Alternative splicing during chondrogenesis: cis and trans factors involved in splicing of fibronectin exon EIIIA

Primary chicken mesenchymal cells from limb buds and vertebral chondrocytes have been used to study the changes that occur in alternative mRNA splicing of fibronectin exon EIIIA during chondrogenesis. The mesenchymal cell phenotype (exon EIIIA included) and chondrocyte phenotype (exon EIIIA excluded) were preserved in culture. Both primary cell types were transfected with an EIIIA minigene and alternative splicing was monitored by S1 protection assay. Differential cell‐specific splicing of the reporter was observed. The roles of two regulatory elements, an exon splicing enhancer (ESE) and an exon splicing silencer (ESS) were examined. Both elements were required for EIIIA inclusion into mRNA in mesenchymal cells. Gel mobility shift assays revealed that both chondrocyte‐ and mesenchymal cell‐derived nuclear extracts contained exon EIIIA binding factors, but the RNA binding factors present in the two cell types appeared to be distinct. The ESE and ESS appeared to cooperate in the formation of both cell type‐specific complexes. These results suggest a model in which inhibitory factors enriched in chondrocytes compete with positive factors enriched in mesenchymal cells for binding to exon EIIIA, determining whether the exon is included. J. Cell. Biochem. 76:341–351, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

An extended inhibitory context causes skipping of exon 7 of SMN2 in spinal muscular atrophy

SMN1 and SMN2 represent the two nearly identical copies of the survival of motor neuron gene in humans. The most frequent cause of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is loss of SMN1 accompanied by the inability of SMN2 to compensate due to an inhibitory mutation at position 6 in exon 7 (C6U) that causes exon 7 exclusion. How this single exonic nucleotide regulates exon 7 recognition has been of major interest. Based on score matrices and in vitro assays, abrogation of an exonic splicing enhancer (ESE) associated with SF2/ASF has been considered as the cause of exon 7 exclusion. However, a recent report supports the creation of an exonic splicing silencer (ESS) associated with hnRNP A1 as the determining factor for exon 7 exclusion. Here we show that C6U strengthens an inhibitory context that covers a larger sequence than the hnRNP A1 binding site. The inhibitory context can also be strengthened by the addition of a G residue at the first position of exon 7 in SMN1, promoting exon 7 skipping despite the presence of SF2/ASF binding site. Through in vivo selection and a series of mutations we demonstrate that the strengthening of the extended inhibitory context at the 5' end of exon 7 is exercised through overlapping sequence motifs that collaborate to regulate exon usage.     

A DNA damage signal activates and derepresses exon inclusion in Drosophila TAF1 alternative splicing

Signal-dependent alternative splicing is important for regulating gene expression in eukaryotes, yet our understanding of how signals impact splicing mechanisms is limited. A model to address this issue is alternative splicing of Drosophila TAF1 pre-mRNA in response to camptothecin (CPT)-induced DNA damage signals. CPT treatment of Drosophila S2 cells causes increased inclusion of TAF1 alternative cassette exons 12a and 13a through an ATR signaling pathway. To evaluate the role of TAF1 pre-mRNA sequences in the alternative splicing mechanism, we developed a TAF1 minigene (miniTAF1) and an S2 cell splicing assay that recapitulated key aspects of CPT-induced alternative splicing of endogenous TAF1. Analysis of miniTAF1 indicated that splice site strength underlies independent and distinct mechanisms that control exon 12a and 13a inclusion. Mutation of the exon 13a weak 5' splice site or weak 3' splice site to a consensus sequence was sufficient for constitutive exon 13a inclusion. In contrast, mutation of the exon 12a strong 5' splice site or moderate 3' splice site to a consensus sequence was only sufficient for constitutive exon 12a inclusion in the presence of CPT-induced signals. Analogous studies of the exon 13 3' splice site suggest that exon 12a inclusion involves signal-dependent pairing between constitutive and alternative splice sites. Finally, intronic elements identified by evolutionary conservation were necessary for full repression of exon 12a inclusion or full activation of exon 13a inclusion and may be targets of CPT-induced signals. In summary, this work defines the role of sequence elements in the regulation of TAF1 alternative splicing in response to a DNA damage signal.     

Position-dependent splicing activation and repression by SR and hnRNP proteins rely on common mechanisms

Alternative splicing is regulated by splicing factors that modulate splice site selection. In some cases, however, splicing factors show antagonistic activities by either activating or repressing splicing. Here, we show that these opposing outcomes are based on their binding location relative to regulated 5′ splice sites. SR proteins enhance splicing only when they are recruited to the exon. However, they interfere with splicing by simply relocating them to the opposite intronic side of the splice site. hnRNP splicing factors display analogous opposing activities, but in a reversed position dependence. Activation by SR or hnRNP proteins increases splice site recognition at the earliest steps of exon definition, whereas splicing repression promotes the assembly of nonproductive complexes that arrest spliceosome assembly prior to splice site pairing. Thus, SR and hnRNP splicing factors exploit similar mechanisms to positively or negatively influence splice site selection.     

Identification of a Novel Synonymous Mutation in the Human β -Ureidopropionase Gene UPB1 Affecting Pre-mRNA Splicing

β-Ureidopropionase is the third enzyme of the pyrimidine degradation pathway and it catalyzes the conversion of N-carbamyl-β-alanine and N-carbamyl-β-aminoisobutyric acid to β-alanine and β-aminoisobutyric acid, respectively, and ammonia and CO₂. To date, only 16 genetically confirmed patients with a complete ß-ureidopropionase deficiency have been reported. Here, we report the clinical, biochemical, and molecular analysis of a newly identified patient with β-ureidopropionase deficiency. Mutation analysis of the UPB1 gene showed that the patient was compound heterozygous for a novel synonymous mutation c.93C >T (p.Gly31Gly) in exon 1 and a previously described missense mutation c.977G >A (p.Arg326Gln) in exon 9. The in silico predicted effect of the synonymous mutation p.Gly31Gly on pre-mRNA splicing was investigated using a minigene approach. Wild-type and the mutated minigene constructs, containing the entire exon 1, intron 1, and exon 2 of UPB1, yielded different splicing products after expression in HEK293 cells. The c.93C >T (p.Gly31Gly) mutation resulted in altered pre-mRNA splicing of the UPB1 minigene construct and a deletion of the last 13 nucleotides of exon 1. This deletion (r.92_104delGCAAGGAACTCAG) results in a frame shift and the generation of a premature stop codon (p.Lys32SerfsX31). Using a minigene approach, we have thus identified the first synonymous mutation in the UPB1 gene, creating a cryptic splice-donor site affecting pre-mRNA splicing.