GC content around splice sites affects splicing through pre-mRNA secondary structures.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Alternative splicing increases protein diversity by generating multiple transcript isoforms from a single gene through different combinations of exons or through different selections of splice sites. It has been reported that RNA secondary structures are involved in alternative splicing. Here we perform a genomic study of RNA secondary structures around splice sites in humans (Homo sapiens), mice (Mus musculus), fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), and nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans) to further investigate this phenomenon.

Results

We observe that GC content around splice sites is closely associated with the splice site usage in multiple species. RNA secondary structure is the possible explanation, because the structural stability difference among alternative

SUBMITTER: Zhang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3041747 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature