Molecular Recognition during pre-mRNA Splicing

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Abstract: Splicing of pre-mRNAs provides a major source of transcript diversity for cell differentiation and development. It is known that this process requires a splicing machine (spliceosome) composed of ~100 proteins and 5 small nuclear (sn)RNAs. The early stages of spliceosome assembly on pre-mRNA splice sites are key regulated steps that often go awry in human genetic diseases and cancers. Yet, exactly how the spliceosome selects and excises the correct splice sites from amidst thousands of competing pre-mRNA sequences remains poorly understood at the molecular level. Hence, the overall goal of this proposal is to understand the sequential three- dimensional interactions that guide 3' splice site selection in the early stages of spliceosome activation. A complex of the essential splicing factors U2AF and SF1 recognizes pre-mRNA sequences adjacent the 3' splice site, and in turn stabilizes association of the core spliceosome. Pre-mRNA contacts by an arginine-serine (RS) region of U2AF, and the U2AF-associated ATPase UAP56, are required to accomplish this task. Specific aims of this proposal address the following central questions concerning the critical early stages of pre-mRNA splicing: (1) By what means does U2AF recognize diverse splice sites? (2) By what means does SF1 enhance splice site recognition by U2AF? (3) By what means does U2AF recruit UAP56, and in turn, what is the action of UAP56 on U2AF at the splice site? (4) By what means does an RS region promote association of spliceosomal snRNAs with the pre-mRNA? We have already made significant advances towards these aims by (i) determining three- dimensional structures of U2AF bound to splice sites, (ii) evaluating thermodynamic and structural contributions of SF1 domains to U2AF binding, and (iii) characterizing RNA interactions by RS domains. These studies will significantly advance our understanding of this fundamental step of gene expression.