Spliceosome assembly

作者：Robin Reed, Leon Palandjian · 年份：1997 · DOI：10.1093/oso/9780199634187.003.0004 · 被引用次数：20 · 研究领域：RNA Research and Splicing、RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms

Abstract Pre-mRNA splicing takes place within a large, highly dynamic complex designated the spliceosome. Spliceosomes are 50-60S, have a calculated molecular weight on the order of 3-5 × 106 kDa, and are estimated to be 40-60 nm in diameter (see 1, 2 for reviews). Among the best characterized of the spliceosomal components are the small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) Ul, U2, U4, U5, and U6, which are thought to play central roles not only in spliceosome assembly, but also in the two catalytic steps of the splicing reaction (reviewed in 1, 3, 4; see Chapter 5). Less is known about the protein components of the splicing machinery. Genetic studies in yeast have identified over 50 protein-coding genes essential for splicing (reviewed in 2; see Chapter 7), and an equal number of proteins have been detected in highly purified mammalian spliceosomes (5, 6). In addition to obtaining direct evidence for RNA- mediated catalysis, major challenges of the splicing field include cloning, characterizing, and determining the functions of the protein components of the spliceosome and achieving a detailed understanding of spliceosome assembly.