Abstract
Since Richard J. Roberts and Phillip A. Sharp discovered split genes (genes are interrupted by RNA-encoding regions called exons and non-coding segments called introns in eukaryotic genome) in 1970's, scientists have been finding many genes can generate more than one mRNA transcripts through AS (alternative splicing, e.g., by different exon-exon combination). This AS strategy increases protein repertoire, encodes proteins with diverse and sometimes even antagonistic activities (Kelemen et al., 2013). A new study led by Dr. Kazuhito Tomizawa and first author Bo Zhou from Kumamoto University in Japan reports that CDKAL1-v1 (Cdk5 Regulator Subunit Associated Protein 1-Like), one splicing variant of CDKAL1, has no coding ability but acts as a miRNA sponge RNA, which regulates its full-length CDKAL1 protein (Zhou et al., 2014). Their results give us a unique paradigm of how AS possesses a regulatory role in controlling gene expression.
Highlights
Edited by: Fengfeng Zhou, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, China Reviewed by: Jie Wu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
Sharp discovered split genes in 1970’s, scientists have been finding many genes can generate more than one mRNA transcripts through AS
A new study led by Dr Kazuhito Tomizawa and first author Bo Zhou from Kumamoto University in Japan reports that CDKAL1-v1 (Cdk5 Regulator Subunit Associated Protein 1-Like), one splicing variant of CDKAL1, has no coding ability but acts as a miRNA sponge RNA, which regulates its full-length CDKAL1 protein (Zhou et al, 2014)
Summary
A commentary on Identification of a splicing variant that regulates type 2 diabetes risk factor CDKAL1 level by a coding-independent mechanism in human by Zhou, B., Wei, F. Sharp discovered split genes (genes are interrupted by RNA-encoding regions called exons and non-coding segments called introns in eukaryotic genome) in 1970’s, scientists have been finding many genes can generate more than one mRNA transcripts through AS (alternative splicing, e.g., by different exon-exon combination).
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