与常见的RNA顺式剪接不同，反式剪接是将远距离的不同基因外显子剪接形成成熟RNA的机制。到目前为止，基因间反式剪接发现数量很少，其机制仍不清楚。 对于基因间反式剪接是否像顺式剪接那样普遍存在且被精确调控，或只是一些随机剪接背景噪音，一直有着激烈争论。另外，基因间反式剪接产物的特征和功能，及反式剪接在进化上是否保守还缺乏系统性研究。项目三个主要内容：1）建立昆虫纲动物5个目多个物种的模型系统（代表4亿年进化史），通过高通量测序实验和公共数据搜集，进行跨物种、全基因组层次上的基因反式剪接的大数据分析筛选； 2）建立基因反式剪接的生物信息学方法平台及动物反式剪接基因数据库；系统分析并建立反式剪接基因的特征模型和统计分布规律；通过反式剪接和顺式剪接的特征模式比对，阐明二者分子机制的异同；3) 通过反式剪接基因的系统进化分析，阐明反式剪接基因的起源和进化过程，阐述反式剪接在基因进化中的作用和功能。

Compared to the commonly observed canonical RNA cis-splicing, the intergenic trans-splicing joins exons from two independent distant genes to form mature messenger RNA. So far, few intergenic trans-splicing cases were discovered, nor was the mechanism clear. Whether intergenic trans-splicing commonly exists as cis-splicing, which is wide-spread and tightly controlled, or represents merely some background ‘splicing noise’ has been in hot debate. In addition, the proteomic functions of intergenic trans-splicing products, and their evolutionary dynamics and conservation have not been extensively studied. .Three specific aims are included in the proposed project. .(1) We will assemble a model system including several species across five orders in Class Insecta, which represents an evolutionary timeframe of approximately 400 million years. Using RNA-seq data generated by our high-throughput transcriptome sequencing experiments and available from public databases, we will carry out a genome-scale mega data analysis on intergenic trans-splicing events. .(2) We will build an integrated bioinformatics platform for comprehensive integenic trans-splicing screening, and develop a database of intergenic trans-splicing events for animals. We will systematically analyze and characterize the global profile and statistical distribution of trans-splicing events. By comparison with the canonical RNA cis-splicing, we will reveal the differences and similarities between the molecular mechanism of the trans-splicing and cis-splicing. .(3) By systematically phylogenetic analysis of intergenic trans-splicing, we will illuminate how the trans-splicing events originated and evolved, and elaborate the impact and function of intergenic trans-splicing events on the evolution of genome.