Epstein-Barr virus SM protein functions as an alternative splicing factor.

ABSTRACT: Alternative splicing of RNA increases the coding potential of the genome and allows for additional regulatory control over gene expression. The full extent of alternative splicing remains to be defined but is likely to significantly expand the size of the human transcriptome. There are several examples of mammalian viruses regulating viral splicing or inhibiting cellular splicing in order to facilitate viral replication. Here, we describe a viral protein that induces alternative splicing of a cellular RNA transcript. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) SM protein is a viral protein essential for replication that enhances EBV gene expression by enhancing RNA stability and export. SM also increases cellular STAT1 expression, a central mediator of interferon signal transduction, but disproportionately i

SUBMITTER: Verma D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2446978 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature