Human Ribosomal Protein S26 Inhibits Splicing of Its Own Pre-mRNA

In vitro splicing was studied for a human ribosomal protein (rp) S26 pre-mRNA fragment containing the first exon, first intron, and a part of the second exon. Splicing yielded two products, one corresponding to a fragment of the mature rpS26 mRNA and the other retaining the 19 3-terminal nucleotides of the first intron between the first and second exons. Recombinant rpS26 inhibited generation of both splicing products in vitro. The inhibition was specific, because another recombinant human rp, S19, had no effect on the splicing of the pre-mRNA fragment. Toe-printing was used to map the rpS26-binding sites of the pre-mRNA in the regions of the conventional and alternative 3 splicing sites of the first intron. On the strength of the results, rpS26 was assumed to regulate the expression of its own gene at the level of pre-mRNA splicing via a feedback mechanism.     

INHIBITION OF IN VITRO PRE-mRNA SPLICING IN S. CEREVISIAE BY BRANCHED OLIGONUCLEOTIDES

A series of V- and Y-shaped nucleic acids, related to the splicing intermediates derived from S. cerevisiae actin pre-mRNA, were prepared. The effects of such branched nucleic acids (bNAs) on the efficiency of in vitro pre-mRNA splicing in yeast were studied. The exogenous bNAs each effect the efficiency of splicing, yet to different degrees, depending on the sugar composition and topology of the molecules. Y-shaped RNAs inhibited the formation of mRNA (i.e. RNA splicing) to the greatest extent.