PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 7557446

Various transcripts are generated from the VCSA1 gene by alternative splicing and poly(A) processing in the rat submandibular gland.

Y Courty·I Rosinski-Chupin·F Rougeon
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

The members of the VCS (variable coding sequence) multigene family display extensive evolutionary divergence in the protein-coding region. The first described gene (VCSA1) was found to encode a major 0.7-kb mRNA (VCSA1*1T1) coding for a prohormone-like preproprotein, SMR1-VA1, in the submandibular gland (SMG) of Rattus norvegicus. We report here the cloning of four other VCSA1 cDNAs corresponding to mRNAs (VCSA1*1T2 to *1T5) expressed in the SMG. VCSA1*1T1 to *1T4 mRNAs share the three exons previously described and differ in their 3' untranslated regions (UTR). Their differences originate from the alternative utilization of four polyadenylation sites. Comparison of the tissue levels of VCSA1*1T1 and VCSA1*1T4 during post-natal development of the male rat SMG suggests that the poly(A) addition sites are both used at each stage. The fifth RNA transcript (VCSA1*1T5) contains only the first two exons. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA reveals that VCSA1 has an additional exon (exon 4) which is spliced to exon 2 in VCSA1*1T5. In addition to VCSA1*1T1, at least VCSA1*1T4 and VCSA1*1T5 are actively translated in vivo, as revealed by their association to the polysomal fractions. The protein, P2-VA1, coded by VCSA1*1T5 is 68 amino acids in length and it is likely to be a glycosylated secretory protein. The putative mature P2-VA1 protein completely differs from the SMR1-VA1 pro-protein and very likely has a different function. VCSA1*1T1 is accumulated in the male rat SMG 200-1000-fold more than the other transcripts. Run-on experiments reveal that almost all transcription proceeds several hundred bp downstream from the poly(A) site corresponding to VCSA1*1T1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Explore related subjects

Alternative SplicingAmino Acid SequenceAnimalsBase SequenceExonsGene ExpressionMaleMolecular Sequence DataMultigene FamilyPoly AProtein PrecursorsRNA, MessengerRatsSalivary Proteins and PeptidesSubmandibular GlandTranscription, GeneticJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Y Courty, I Rosinski-Chupin, F Rougeon. 1995-09-11. Various transcripts are generated from the VCSA1 gene by alternative splicing and poly(A) processing in the rat submandibular gland.. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-1119(95)00318-z

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2026

Translational regulation of Sf1 integrates alternative splicing and hematopoietic stem cell fate.

The transition of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from quiescence to lineage commitment requires precise posttranscriptional control, yet the contribution of mRNA isoform regulation remains poorly defined. Here, we identify a translationally controlled splicing program that contributes to HSC fate decisions. Using activity-based signatures of 305 splicing regulators, we uncover widespread posttranscriptional modulation of the spliceosome in stem and progenitor cells. The branch point recognition factor Sf1 emerges as a key node, regulated by a conserved structured 5' untranslated region (UTR) that cooperates with the RNA-binding protein Igf2bp2 to control its translation. Disrupting this cis-trans module reduces Sf1 protein synthesis and skews differentiation toward stem and erythroid programs. Mechanistically, Sf1-dependent alternative splicing remodels 5' UTRs of hematopoietic and DNA damage response genes, altering their translation and modulating DNA damage resolution. Together, these findings reveal an unrecognized translational layer controlling spliceosome activity and link RNA regulons, alternative splicing, and HSC fate determination.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed2026

circASbase: A Comprehensive Database of Alternative Splicing Events in circRNAs.

Although extensive evidence has underscored the critical role of alternative splicing (AS) in generating mature circular RNA (circRNA) isoforms and augmenting their functional diversity, a significant gap remains in the availability of specialized databases housing circRNA AS events. To bridge this gap, we develop circASbase, a pioneering and comprehensive database that catalogs 452,129 AS events in 884,047 full-length circRNAs from 581 samples across 13 species, and provides rich annotations to facilitate understanding the splicing regulation of circRNA. Our findings reveal substantial differences between circRNAs and linear transcripts regarding the distribution and occurrence of AS events, highlighting the unique regulatory landscape of circRNAs. These special splicing events result in functional differences of circRNAs by affecting internal ribosome entry sites, N6-methyladenosine sites, open reading frames, protein features, microRNA targets, and more. In summary, circASbase not only meets the urgent need of the research community for data repositories, but also represents a significant advancement in our understanding of circRNA biology. With its user-friendly interfaces and web-based visualization tools, circASbase is poised to become an indispensable resource for researchers exploring the regulatory mechanisms and functional roles of AS events in circRNAs. This database will continuously drive new insights and discoveries in the field, setting the stage for further advancements in circRNA research. circASbase is freely available at http://reprod.njmu.edu.cn/cgi-bin/circASbase/.

Alternative Splicing↗
PubMed2026

The Role of Small Segmental Duplications in Generating Identical Isoforms Through Alternative Splicing Sites.

Alternative splicing plays a crucial role in expanding proteomic diversity but can also generate identical isoforms under certain conditions. While mutually exclusive splicing of tandem exons has occasionally been reported to produce identical isoforms, the extent to which other splicing events contribute to this phenomenon remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that alternative 5' and 3' splice site selection can also lead to the formation of identical isoforms, providing an additional type of splicing event for functional redundancy in transcriptomes. To address this, we analyzed reference genome annotations from 15 plant species, including Arabidopsis thaliana and wheat (Triticum aestivum), obtained from the RefSeq database. Identical isoforms were computationally defined as transcripts with distinct exon-intron structures but identical coding sequences. Our analysis reveals that the majority of alternative 5' and 3' fragments originate from small segmental duplications, suggesting that sequence repetition within gene regions facilitates the emergence of such splicing patterns. We also observed differences in the annotated 5' UTRs of some identical isoforms. However, since the alternative splicing sites themselves were not located within UTRs, these differences may reflect annotation uncertainty rather than genuine AS-derived variation. Given that UTR predictions in reference databases are not always precise, such observations should be interpreted cautiously. Expression analysis using an isoform-specific k-mer approach confirmed that identical isoforms can be differentially regulated. These findings suggest that, beyond expanding protein diversity, alternative splicing can also generate redundant isoforms that are differentially expressed at the RNA level, indicating potential regulatory roles. By elucidating the structural and regulatory factors contributing to the formation and retention of identical isoforms, our study provides new insights into the evolutionary and functional significance of alternative splicing in plants.

Alternative Splicing↗