Mechano-Regulation of Alternative Splicing

Alternative splicing contributes to the complexity of proteome by producing multiple mRNAs from a single gene. Affymetrix exon arrays and experiments in vivo or in vitro demonstrated that alternative splicing was regulated by mechanical stress. Expression of mechano-growth factor (MGF) which is the splicing isoform of insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) splicing variants such as VEGF₁₂₁, VEGF_165, VEGF₂₀₆, VEGF₁₈₉, VEGF₁₆₅ and VEGF₁₄₅ are regulated by mechanical stress. However, the mechanism of this process is not yet clear. Increasing evidences showed that the possible mechanism is related to Ca²⁺ signal pathway and phosphorylation signal pathway. This review proposes possible mechanisms of mechanical splicing regulation. This will contribute to the biomechanical study of alternative splicing.     

A Dualistic Conformational Response to Substrate Binding in the Human Serotonin Transporter Reveals a High Affinity State for Serotonin

Serotonergic neurotransmission is modulated by the membrane-embedded serotonin transporter (SERT). SERT mediates the reuptake of serotonin into the presynaptic neurons. Conformational changes in SERT occur upon binding of ions and substrate and are crucial for translocation of serotonin across the membrane. Our understanding of these conformational changes is mainly based on crystal structures of a bacterial homolog in various conformations, derived homology models of eukaryotic neurotransmitter transporters, and substituted cysteine accessibility method of SERT. However, the dynamic changes that occur in the human SERT upon binding of ions, the translocation of substrate, and the role of cholesterol in this interplay are not fully elucidated. Here we show that serotonin induces a dualistic conformational response in SERT. We exploited the substituted cysteine scanning method under conditions that were sensitized to detect a more outward-facing conformation of SERT. We found a novel high affinity outward-facing conformational state of the human SERT induced by serotonin. The ionic requirements for this new conformational response to serotonin mirror the ionic requirements for translocation. Furthermore, we found that membrane cholesterol plays a role in the dualistic conformational response in SERT induced by serotonin. Our results indicate the existence of a subpopulation of SERT responding differently to serotonin binding than hitherto believed and that membrane cholesterol plays a role in this subpopulation of SERT.     

拟南芥SDIR1基因转录的选择性剪接

采用PCR及RT-PCR法分别克隆了拟南芥SDIR1基因的DNA和cDNA序列。根据序列比对分析结果,发现了3种不同的转录本,提示SDIR1基因的转录中存在选择性剪接。3种转录本的长度分别为822bp、691bp和666bp,依次命名为：SDIR1-822、SDIR1-691、SDIR1-666。与SDIR1基因的DNA序列及已报道的SDIR1cDNA序列比较,除转录本SDIR1-822包含了完整的编码序列外,其余2种转录本的编码序列都存在不同长度的缺失。其中,SDIR1-691缺失了131bp的片段：第2外显子3′端缺失33bp,第3外显子53bp全部缺失,第4外显子5′端缺失45bp;转录本SDIR1-666缺失了156bp的片段：第3外显子3′端缺失18bp,第4外显子5′端缺失138bp。进而随机挑取101个克隆子对三种转录本的表达比例进行初步分析,结果表明3种分子的比值为SDIR1-822：SDIR1-691：SDIR1-666=26.00：1.33：1.00,反映出SDIR1基因不同转录本在拟南芥中的相对表达量。     

人锰超氧化物歧化酶基因剪接异构体的表达分析

对人锰超氧化物歧化酶(human manganese superoxide dismutase,hMn-SOD)基因剪接异构体进行分析,并检测异构体的表达情况。在GenBank库中检索人锰超氧化物歧化酶基因异构体及编码基因组序列,利用Vector NTI9生物软件进行核酸及蛋白序列比对;利用RT-PCR方法分析锰超氧化物歧化酶基因异构体的表达。结果显示,在GenBank库检索发现有3种人锰超氧化物歧化酶基因异构体,剪接异构的类型为可变的5′剪接位点和外显子盒,各异构体基因内含子均符合"GT-AG"规则。3种基因异构体编码两种异构体蛋白,即222个氨基酸的人锰超氧化物歧化酶蛋白以及中部缺少39个氨基酸的截短型异构蛋白。RT-PCR检测结果表明,剪接异构体hMn-SODb在HEK293T和HSC细胞中的表达比在HepG2细胞中高,未见异构体hMn-SODc的表达。     

基于PCR 技术的人脑基因可变剪接差异性研究

目的:对人脑的基因可变剪接位点差异性进行分析。方法:通过RNA-Seq得到的转录组数据,分析推测出在不同年龄的7对样本的大脑前额叶皮层(prefrontal cortex,PFC)表达的某些基因具有可变剪接位点的差异性;为验证此推测,设计7对引物,提取不同年龄样本的RNA,通过反转录合成cDNA,采用PCR技术扩增目的序列。结果:在已剪接和(或)未剪接产物预期片段处有明显的条带。结论:通过Quantity One软件分析后,确定在不同年龄间存在可变剪接差异。基于PCR技术的基因可变剪接分析对RNA-seq数据集的预测结果进行验证是一种有效新颖的PCR新应用。     

The Serotonin Transporter Undergoes Constitutive Internalization and Is Primarily Sorted to Late Endosomes and Lysosomal Degradation

The serotonin transporter (SERT) plays a critical role in regulating serotonin signaling by mediating reuptake of serotonin from the extracellular space. The molecular and cellular mechanisms controlling SERT levels in the membrane remain poorly understood. To study trafficking of the surface resident SERT, two functional epitope-tagged variants were generated. Fusion of a FLAG-tagged one-transmembrane segment protein Tac to the SERT N terminus generated a transporter with an extracellular epitope suited for trafficking studies (TacSERT). Likewise, a construct with an extracellular antibody epitope was generated by introducing an HA (hemagglutinin) tag in the extracellular loop 2 of SERT (HA-SERT). By using TacSERT and HA-SERT in antibody-based internalization assays, we show that SERT undergoes constitutive internalization in a dynamin-dependent manner. Confocal images of constitutively internalized SERT demonstrated that SERT primarily co-localized with the late endosomal/lysosomal marker Rab7, whereas little co-localization was observed with the Rab11, a marker of the “long loop” recycling pathway. This sorting pattern was distinct from that of a prototypical recycling membrane protein, the β₂-adrenergic receptor. Furthermore, internalized SERT co-localized with the lysosomal marker LysoTracker and not with transferrin. The sorting pattern was further confirmed by visualizing internalization of SERT using the fluorescent cocaine analog JHC1-64 and by reversible and pulse-chase biotinylation assays showing evidence for lysosomal degradation of the internalized transporter. Finally, we found that SERT internalized in response to stimulation with 12-myristate 13-acetate co-localized primarily with Rab7- and LysoTracker-positive compartments. We conclude that SERT is constitutively internalized and that the internalized transporter is sorted mainly to degradation.     

Drosophilaγ-Aminobutyric Acid Receptor Gene Rdl Shows Extensive Alternative Splicing

Abstract: The Drosophila γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor subunit gene Rdl was isolated on the basis of a mutant phenotype showing high levels of insensitivity to picrotoxinin and cyclodiene insecticides. Following analysis of two dissimilar cDNAs isolated from the locus, we report that Rdl undergoes extensive alternative splicing at two locations in the putative extracellular domain. At each location a choice is made between exons of the same size: "a'or "b'(23 amino acids long with two substitutions) and "c'or "D'(46 residues long with 10 substitutions). The function of these alternative exons remains unclear; however, exon d contains a putative site for casein kinase II phosphorylation. AH possible combinations of exons (a with c or d and b with c or d) were found in RNA isolated from early embryos. This is the first demonstration of alternative splicing in a GABA receptor gene from invertebrates.     

大鼠FMR1同源基因cDNA的克隆、测序与选择剪接的初步分析

应用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ方法,从新生大鼠脑组织总ＲＮＡ扩增大鼠ＦＭＲ１同源基因的ｃＤＮＡ片段,克降至ｐＵＣ１８质粒中进行序列分析．获得从终止密码子起共１６８１ｂｐ的编码序列,尚缺少约２００ｂｐ的５′序列．所克隆的这部分大鼠ＦＭＲ１ｃＤＮＡ,不含有对应于人ＦＭＲ１基因的外显子１２及外显子１７第一和第三剪接受点之间的序列,提示大鼠ＦＭＲ１基因也有选择剪接表达．同源性分析显示,大鼠ＦＭＲ１与小鼠ＦＭＲ１基因的同源性为９７．７％,与人ＦＭＲ１基因的同源性为９４．９％;与小鼠ＦＭＲＰ（ＦＭＲ１蛋白）的氨基酸序列同源性为９８．４％,与人ＦＭＲＰ的氨基酸序列同源性为９７．９％．以大鼠ＦＭＲ１ｃＤＮＡ片段为探针检测到大鼠不同组织中ＦＭＲ１基因的选择剪接表达．上述结果为以大鼠为动物模型深入研究ＦＭＲ１基因功能奠定了基础．     

Binding and Orientation of Tricyclic Antidepressants within the Central Substrate Site of the Human Serotonin Transporter

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have been used for decades, but their orientation within and molecular interactions with their primary target is yet unsettled. The recent finding of a TCA binding site in the extracellular vestibule of the bacterial leucine transporter 11 Å above the central site has prompted debate about whether this vestibular site in the bacterial transporter is applicable to binding of antidepressants to their relevant physiological target, the human serotonin transporter (hSERT). We present an experimentally validated structural model of imipramine and analogous TCAs in the central substrate binding site of hSERT. Two possible binding modes were observed from induced fit docking calculations. We experimentally validated a single binding mode by combining mutagenesis of hSERT with uptake inhibition studies of different TCA analogs according to the paired mutation ligand analog complementation paradigm. Using this experimental method, we identify a salt bridge between the tertiary aliphatic amine and Asp⁹⁸. Furthermore, the 7-position of the imipramine ring is found vicinal to Phe³³⁵, and the pocket lined by Ala¹⁷³ and Thr⁴³⁹ is utilized by 3-substituents. These protein-ligand contact points unambiguously orient the TCA within the central binding site and reveal differences between substrate binding and inhibitor binding, giving important clues to the inhibition mechanism. Consonant with the well established competitive inhibition of uptake by TCAs, the resulting binding site for TCAs in hSERT is fully overlapping with the serotonin binding site in hSERT and dissimilar to the low affinity noncompetitive TCA site reported in the leucine transporter (LeuT).     

用支持向量机预测人类基因5′/3′选择性剪切位点

选择性剪切是调解基因表达的重要机制。识别选择性剪切位点是后基因组时代的一个重要工作。本文从最新的EBI人类基因选择性剪切数据库中,选取5′/3′选择性剪切位点作为正集,选取在剪切位点附近的假剪切位点作为负集,并把所有的选择性剪切位点和假剪切位点随机分成训练集和测试集。本文选用的预测选择性剪切位点的方法是基于位置权重矩阵和离散增量的支持向量机方法。此方法仅基于训练集,以不同位点的单碱基概率和序列片断的三联体频数作为信息参数,利用位置权重矩阵和离散增量算法结合支持向量机,得到了选择性供体位点和受体位点的分类器,并用此分类器对测试集中的选择性供体位点和受体位点进行预测。对独立测试集中的选择性供体位点和选择性受体位点的预测成功率分别为88．74%和90．86%,特异性分别为85．62%和81．19%。本文预测选择性剪切位点的方法成功率高于其它选择性剪切位点预测方法预测成功率,此预测方法进一步提高了对选择性剪切位点的理论预测能力。     

p-Chlorophenylalanine Changes Serotonin Transporter mRNA Levels and Expression of the Gene Product

Abstract: After a single intraperitoneal injection of the irreversible tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor p -chlorophenylalanine (PCPA; 300 mg/kg), there was a rapid down-regulation of serotonin (5-HT) transporter mRNA levels in cell bodies. This change was significant at 1 and 2 days after PCPA administration within the ventromedial but not the dorsomedial portion of the dorsal raphe nucleus. Seven days after PCPA treatment, 5-HT transporter mRNA levels were significantly elevated compared with controls in both regions of the dorsal raphe nucleus. PCPA administration produced no change in the [³H]-citalopram binding and synaptosomal [³H]5-HT uptake in terminal regions at 2 and 7 days after treatment but significantly reduced both these parameters by ∼20% in the hippocampus and in cerebral cortex 14 days after PCPA administration. The striatum showed a lower sensitivity to this effect. No significant changes were observed in the levels of [³H]citalopram binding to 5-HT cell bodies in the dorsal raphe nucleus. In the same animals used for 5-HT transporter mRNA level measurements, levels of tryptophan hydroxylase mRNA in neurons of the ventromedial and dorsomedial portions of the dorsal raphe nucleus were increased 2 days after PCPA administration and fell to control levels 7 days after injection in the ventromedial region but not in the dorsomedial portion of the dorsal raphe nucleus, where they remained significantly higher than controls. Altogether, these results show that changes in 5-HT transporter mRNA are not temporally related to changes in 5-HT transporter protein levels. In addition, our results suggest that the 5-HT transporter and tryptophan hydroxylase genes are regulated by different mechanisms. We also provide further evidence that dorsal raphe 5-HT neurons are differentially regulated by drugs, depending on their location.     

人受精促进肽受体基因（TCP11b）的剪接、克隆和差别表达

运用同源比较和PCR法 ,从人睾丸组织中分离了人受精促进肽受体TCP11基因的一个新的剪切体TCP11b ,它编码 5 0 3个氨基酸的蛋白质 ,与TCP11a相比 ,在基因组的 5′端存在复杂的外显子剪接现象。运用荧光原位杂交 (FISH)方法 ,显示该基因定位到人染色体 6p2 1。Northern杂交及多组织RT PCR的结果显示该转录本在正常睾丸中表达 ,而其他组织、无精症患者及胎儿睾丸组织中未见该基因的表达。该结果结合mTcp 11功能的提示 ,TCP11b这种转录本对精子发生和人受精过程可能起重要作用。     

Investigation of Tissue-Specific Human Orthologous Alternative Splice Events in Pig

Alternative splicing of pre-mRNA can contribute to differences between tissues or cells either by regulating gene expression or creating proteins with various functions encoded by one gene. The number of investigated alternative splice events in pig has so far been limited. In this study we have investigated alternative splice events detected in humans, in orthologous pig genes. A total of 17 genes with predicted exon skipping events were selected for further studies. The splice events for the selected genes were experimentally verified using real-time quantitative PCR analysis (qPCR) with splice-specific primers in 19 different tissues. The same splice variants as reported in humans were detected in 15 orthologous pig genes, however, the expression pattern predicted in the in silico analyses was only experimentally verified in a few cases. The results support the findings that splice events resulting in preservation of open reading frame are indicative of a functional significance of the splice variants of the gene.