An RNA architectural locus control region involved in Dscam mutually exclusive splicing.

ABSTRACT: The most striking example of alternative splicing in a Drosophila melanogaster gene is observed in the Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule, which can generate 38,016 different isoforms. RNA secondary structures are thought to direct the mutually exclusive splicing of Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we describe a locus control region that can activate the exon 6 cluster and specifically allow for the selection of only one exon variant in combination with docking site selector sequence interactions. Combining comparative genomic studies of 63 species with mutational analysis reveals that intricate, tandem multi-'subunit' RNA structures within the locus control region activate species-appropriate alternative variants. Importantl

SUBMITTER: Wang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3535345 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature