Regulation of alternative splicing by signal transduction pathways

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007:623:161-74. doi: 10.1007/978-0-387-77374-2_10.

Abstract

Alternative splicing is now recognized as a ubiquitous mechanism for controlling gene expression in a tissue-specific manner. A growing body of work from the past few years as begun to also highlight the existence of networks of signal-responsive alternative splicing in a variety of cell types. While the mechanisms by which signal transduction pathways influence the splicing machinery are relatively poorly understood, a few themes have begun to emerge for how extracellular stimuli can be communicated to specific RNA-binding proteins that control splice site selection by the spliceosome. This chapter describes our current understanding of signal-induced alternative splicing with an emphasis on these emerging themes and the likely directions for future research.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • RNA Splice Sites
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • Spliceosomes / physiology*

Substances

  • RNA Splice Sites
  • RNA, Messenger