Mouse models of Casc3 reveal developmental functions distinct from other components of the exon junction complex.

ABSTRACT: The exon junction complex (EJC) is a multiprotein complex integral to mRNA metabolism. Biochemistry and genetic studies have concluded that the EJC is composed of four core proteins, MAGOH, EIF4A3, RBM8A, and CASC3. Yet recent studies in Drosophila indicate divergent physiological functions for Barentsz, the mammalian Casc3 ortholog, raising the question as to whether CASC3 is a constitutive component of the EJC. This issue remains poorly understood, particularly in an in vivo mammalian context. We previously found that haploinsufficiency for Magoh, Eif4a3, or Rbm8a disrupts neuronal viability and neural progenitor proliferation, resulting in severe microcephaly. Here, we use two new Casc3 mouse alleles to demonstrate developmental phenotypes that sharply contrast those of other core EJC c

SUBMITTER: Mao H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5159646 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature