Mechanism of alternative splicing and its regulation (Review)

Wang,Yan; Liu,Jing; Huang,Bo; Xu,Yan‑Mei; Li,Jing; Huang,Lin‑Feng; Lin,Jin; Zhang,Jing; Min,Qing‑Hua; Yang,Wei‑Ming; Wang,Xiao‑Zhong

doi:10.3892/br.2014.407

Mechanism of alternative splicing and its regulation (Review)

Authors:
- Yan Wang
- Jing Liu
- Bo Huang
- Yan‑Mei Xu
- Jing Li
- Lin‑Feng Huang
- Jin Lin
- Jing Zhang
- Qing‑Hua Min
- Wei‑Ming Yang
- Xiao‑Zhong Wang
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Affiliations: Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, P.R. China, Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, P.R. China
Published online on: December 17, 2014 https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2014.407
Pages: 152-158

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Abstract

Alternative splicing of precursor mRNA is an essential mechanism to increase the complexity of gene expression, and it plays an important role in cellular differentiation and organism development. Regulation of alternative splicing is a complicated process in which numerous interacting components are at work, including cis‑acting elements and trans‑acting factors, and is further guided by the functional coupling between transcription and splicing. Additional molecular features, such as chromatin structure, RNA structure and alternative transcription initiation or alternative transcription termination, collaborate with these basic components to generate the protein diversity due to alternative splicing. All these factors contributing to this one fundamental biological process add up to a mechanism that is critical to the proper functioning of cells. Any corruption of the process may lead to disruption of normal cellular function and the eventuality of disease. Cancer is one of those diseases, where alternative splicing may be the basis for the identification of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as new strategies for therapy. Thus, an in‑depth understanding of alternative splicing regulation has the potential not only to elucidate fundamental biological principles, but to provide solutions for various diseases.

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