Mapping proximal and distal splicing-regulatory elements

定位近端和远端剪接调控元件 项目摘要 前体mRNA的选择性剪接（AS）是一种允许单个基因产生 多种转录物和蛋白质异构体，为哺乳动物的分子多样性提供了主要驱动力 包括人类AS在时间和空间上受到严格调控，以决定蛋白质的类型和水平 在特定细胞环境中表达的产物。这种调节是由许多拼接调节决定的。 选择性外显子或侧翼内含子中的SRE，其被RNA结合剪接因子识别。 由SRE破坏引起的异常剪接与越来越多的遗传疾病有关， 从神经系统疾病到癌症，以及人类群体中的表型变异。这反映在 最近的研究发现，剪接数量性状基因座（sQTL）和基因表达QTL一样普遍， 同样富含与GWAS鉴定的人类疾病相关的遗传变异。此外，本发明还提供了一种方法， 剪接的调节或失调剪接的校正已经成为一种有效的治疗方法。 尽管该领域取得了显著进展，但鉴定致病性剪接破坏变体和治疗性剪接破坏变体仍然是一个困难的问题。 由于人类基因组中缺乏全面的SRE注释， 与转录或表观遗传调控元件的类似图谱相比。为了填补这个巨大的空白， 这项研究提出了一种无偏见的高通量筛选方法来定位功能性SRE，包括那些 在远侧区域，这在很大程度上被当前的研究所忽视。如果成功，该平台技术将有助于 基因组研究界研究基因表达调控，阐明基因型-表型 关系，并开发基于RNA的医学。

Mapping proximal and distal splicing-regulatory elements PROJECT SUMMARY Alternative splicing (AS) of precursor mRNA is a molecular mechanism that allows single genes to generate multiple transcript and protein isoforms, providing a major driving force of molecular diversity in mammals including humans. AS is tightly regulated temporally and spatially to determine the types and level of protein products expressed in specific cellular contexts. Such regulation is dictated by numerous splicing-regulatory elements (SREs) in the alternative exon or flanking introns that are recognized by RNA-binding splicing factors. Aberrant splicing caused by disruption of SREs is implicated in an expanding list of genetic diseases ranging from neurological disorders to cancer, as well as phenotypic variation in human populations. This is reflected in recent findings that splicing quantitative trait loci (sQTLs) are as prevalent as gene expression QTLs, and they are similarly enriched in genetic variants associated with human diseases identified by GWAS. In addition, modulation of splicing or correction of dysregulated splicing has become a powerful therapeutics approach. Despite the remarkable progress of the field, identification of causal splicing-disrupting variants and therapeutic targets has been severely impeded by the lack of comprehensive SRE annotations in the human genome, as compared to similar maps of transcriptional or epigenetic regulatory elements. To fill in this tremendous gap, this study proposes an unbiased, high-throughput screening approach to map functional SREs, including those in distal regions that are largely overlooked by current studies. If successful, this platform technology will facilitate the genomic research community to study gene expression regulation, elucidate genotype-phenotype relationships, and develop RNA-based medicine.