PUBLICATION

Splicing and neurodegeneration: Insights and mechanisms

Authors
Nik, S., Bowman, T.V.
ID
ZDB-PUB-190322-8
Date
2019
Source
Wiley interdisciplinary reviews. RNA   10(4): e1532 (Review)
Registered Authors
Bowman, Teresa
Keywords
R-loops, neurodegeneration, splicing, therapuetics
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases/physiopathology*
  • Protein Isoforms/biosynthesis*
  • RNA Splicing*
  • Zebrafish
PubMed
30895702 Full text @ Wiley Interdiscip Rev RNA
Abstract
Splicing is the global cellular process whereby intervening sequences (introns) in precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) are removed and expressed regions (exons) are ligated together, resulting in a mature mRNA transcript that is exported and translated in the cytoplasm. The tightly regulated splicing cycle is also flexible allowing for the inclusion or exclusion of some sequences depending on the specific cellular context. Alternative splicing allows for the generation of many transcripts from a single gene, thereby expanding the proteome. Although all cells require the function of the spliceosome, neurons are highly sensitive to splicing perturbations with numerous neurological diseases linked to splicing defects. The sensitivity of neurons to splicing alterations is largely due to the complex neuronal cell types and functions in the nervous system that require specific splice isoforms to maintain cellular homeostasis. In the past several years, the relationship between RNA splicing and the nervous system has been the source of significant investigation. Here, we review the current knowledge on RNA splicing in neurobiology and discuss its potential role and impact in neurodegenerative diseases. We will examine the impact of alternative splicing and the role of splicing regulatory proteins on neurodegeneration, highlighting novel animal models including mouse and zebrafish. We will also examine emerging technologies and therapeutic interventions that aim to "drug" the spliceosome. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping