mRNA 5′-leader trans -splicing in the chordates

作者：Amanda E. Vandenberghe, Thomas H. Meedel, Kenneth E.M. Hastings · 发表于：Genes & Development · 年份：2001 · DOI：10.1101/gad.865401 · 被引用次数：148 · 研究领域：RNA Research and Splicing、RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms、RNA modifications and cancer

We report the discovery of mRNA 5'-leader trans-splicing (SL trans-splicing) in the chordates. In the ascidian protochordate Ciona intestinalis, the mRNAs of at least seven genes undergo trans-splicing of a 16-nucleotide 5'-leader apparently derived from a 46-nucleotide RNA that shares features with previously characterized splice donor SL RNAs. SL trans-splicing was known previously to occur in several protist and metazoan phyla, however, this is the first report of SL trans-splicing within the deuterostome division of the metazoa. SL trans-splicing is not known to occur in the vertebrates. However, because ascidians are primitive chordates related to vertebrate ancestors, our findings raise the possibility of ancestral SL trans-splicing in the vertebrate lineage.