A special group of RNA elements in the evolution of alternative exons

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Studying how regulatory RNA elements evolved within splice sites gives a special angle for us to understand the regulation of alternative splicing as well as the origin of novel splice site/exons during evolution. In the work supported by my last NSERC grant, we have characterized the role of a special group of RNA elements that we call regulatory RNA elements between the polypyrimidine tract and 3’AG (REPA). Specifically, we have demonstrated the evolution, mechanism and functional impact of a particular group of REPA element, G tracts. In this proposal, we plan to (1) obtain a more complete distribution of REPA elements in the evolutionary tree; (2) elucidate the molecular mechanism of their regulation of splicing by taking advantage of the constrain that limits the presence of REPA in some locations and species; (3) estimate the contribution of REPA to the origin of novel alternative exons in the transcriptomes of different species. We hope this work will help us obtain a complete view of this special group of RNA elements among different species, its mechanisms of action and contribution to the origin of alternative exons and transcriptome complexity.