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Dimerizations of the wallaby gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor and its splice variants.

Dimerization between wallaby GnRH-R and its splice variants was examined. A baculovirus-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (Bv-FRET) assay was used to assess protein-protein interaction between wild type wallaby GnRH-R and splice variants (GnRH-RDelta1 and GnRH-RDelta2). FRET analysis demonstrated that GnRH-R, GnRH-RDelta1 or GnRH-RDelta2 are capable of assembling as homodimers. When GnRH-R is co-expressed with GnRH-RDelta1 or GnRH-RDelta2 splice variants, GnRH-R can form heterodimers with GnRH-RDelta1 and GnRH-RDelta2. GnRH agonist is not required for the initiation of dimerization. However, the addition of a GnRH agonist enhances the FRET signal in the GnRH-R homodimers, indicating that the GnRH agonist may be involved in modulating the extent of dimerization. In addition, this study reveals that dimerization of GnRH-R may be mediated by two or more protein interaction domains. One of them is probably located between amino acid residues 74 and 174, and the other one between residues 175 and 328. This is the first study to show dimerization between a wild type mammalian GnRH-R and its splice variants. It provides additional support for the potential involvement of splice variants in GnRH-R signaling.

Alternative Splicing↗

The intracellular localisation and mobility of Type Igamma phosphatidylinositol 4P 5-kinase splice variants.

There are three known splice variants of Type Igamma phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIPkin Igamma): PIPkins Igamma87, Igamma90, and the most recently cloned (Giudici, M.L., Emson, P.C. and Irvine, R.F. (2004) A novel neuronal-specific splice variant of Type I phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase isoform gamma. Biochem. J. 379, 489-496) PIPkin IgammaC (here called PIPkin Igamma93). Here, we have explored the subcellular localisation and mobility of Type I PIPkins in transfected cells by confocal microscopy and flourescence recovery after photobleaching. The unique behaviour shown by PIPkin Igamma93 is consistent with its suggested distinct function. Moreover, the markedly different localisation and mobility of active versus inactive PIPkin Igamma93 provide insights into the factors that dictate cellular targeting of Type Igamma PIPkins.

Animals↗

Cloning of novel splice variants of mouse mGluR1.

Three splice variants of the mouse metabotropic glutamate receptor 1, mGluR1E55, mGluR1a and mGluR1b, have been isolated from mouse brain cDNA libraries. The sequences of mGluR1a and mGluR1b are similar to those from rat and human. mGluR1E55 is a novel splice variant. mGluR1E55 has two additional exons. One is 80-bp long at the 5' untranslational region. The other (E55) is 110-bp long at the cysteine-rich region after the ligand-binding domain and before the seven-transmembrane domain. Insertion of the E55 exon results in an inframe stop codon. The predicted protein product contains only the extracellular domain of the receptor and may be secreted.

Alternative Splicing↗

Immunohistochemical detection of adhesion molecule CD44 splice variants in lymph node metastases of cervical cancer.

Expression of specific cell adhesion molecule CD44 isoforms (splice variants) has been shown to be associated with poor prognosis in human cervical cancer. We used 3 different variant exon sequence-specific murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to epitopes encoded by exons v5, v6 and v7-v8 of human variant CD44 to study the expression of CD44 splice variants in 35 primary squamous-cell carcinomas of the cervix and pelvic lymph node metastases by means of immunohistochemistry. Primary tumors showed expression of CD44 splice variants CD44v5, CD44v6 and CD44v7-8 in 93%, 73% and 33% of cases, respectively. Lymph node metastases expressed CD44v5, CD44v6 and CD44v7-8 in 83%, 53% and 21% of cases, respectively. Tumors with expression of CD44v6 in pelvic lymph node metastases showed metastatic spread to 2 or more pelvic lymph nodes significantly more often compared to patients without expression of splice variant CD44v6. Patients suffering from tumors with lymph node metastases expressing splice variant CD44v6 had a poorer recurrence-free survival compared to patients without CD44v6 expression in lymph node metastases, but this trend was not statistically significant. Expression of CD44 splice variants containing epitopes encoded by exon v6 in primary tumors and pelvic lymph node metastases of cervical cancer patients is consistent with a prominent role of CD44 in the process of metastasis formation.

Adult↗

Human RPE cells express the FGFR2IIIc and FGFR3IIIc splice variants and FGF9 as a potential high affinity ligand.

The expression of splice variants of FGF receptors, which differ in the third Ig domain, was investigated in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in vitro and in vivo. This region of the protein determines ligand-binding specificity. Additionally, the expression of potential ligands for these receptors was investigated. Expression of FGF receptor transcript alternative splicing was analyzed by RT-PCR/Southern analysis in RPE cells in vitro and in vivo. The expression of FGFs by RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry in sections of the human posterior pole was also investigated. The ARPE-19 cell line expresses only the FGFR2IIIc splice variant and does not express any FGFR3 splice variants in vitro. Two in vivo samples exhibited expression of the FGFR2IIIc and FGFR3IIIc splice variants and no evidence of the corresponding IIIb splice variant. The results from previous studies for these receptors imply that FGF9 or FGF4 could act as ligands. We demonstrated that FGF9 is expressed in a subpopulation of the RPE, as well as photoreceptors and other neurons of the retina. FGF4 was not detected by RT-PCR analysis in RPE cells in vitro. These data suggest that FGF9 may be an autocrine/paracrine factor in the outer retina.

Adult↗

Differential signaling and immediate-early gene activation by four splice variants of the human pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor (hPACAP-R).

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a neuropeptide belonging to the VIP/secretin/glucagon family, is present in the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, and adrenal gland where it regulates hormone release, in the GI tract where it modulates motility, and in human tumoral cell lines where it shows a growth-promoting effect. It is now appreciated that alternative splicing of two exons of the rat PACAP-R gene generate four major rPACAP-R splice variants that are differentially expressed in tissues and variably coupled to intracellular second messengers. Because of the potential implications of these findings in human physiology, we cloned the hPACAP-R gene. Similar to the rat, two exons (SV-1 and SV-2) are alternatively spliced to account for four major hPACAP-R receptor splice variants. These splice variants (hPACAP-R-null, hPACAP-R-SV1, hPACAP-R-SV2, hPACAP-R-SV-3) were cloned from a human frontal cortex cDNA library, stably transfected in NIH/ 3T3 cells and each characterized for ligand affinity, stimulation of adenylate cyclase (AC) and phospholipase C (PLC), and ligand-induced expression of the proto-oncogenes, c-fos, and c-myc. Stably transfected NIH/3T3 cells expressing similar numbers of receptors of the four splice variants showed nearly identical responses for ligand affinity and potency for P-38- and P-27-stimulated increases in cAMP and total inositol phosphates. However, each receptor splice variant differed in their ligand-stimulated efficacy for total inositol phosphate stimulation. The hPACAP-R-SV2 showed the greatest efficacy for stimulating phospholipase C that was approximately seven-fold greater than the hPACAP-R-SV1, twofold greater than the hPACAP-R-Null, and 1.5-fold greater than the hPACAP-R-SV-3 splice variants. To determine whether the splice variants also differ in their ability to stimulate immediate early gene expression, c-fos and c-myc transcripts were assayed by Northern blot and quantified by densitometry. PACAP-38 increased c-fos and c-myc expression for all four of the receptor splice variants that paralleled the efficacy for PLC stimulation, with the the SV-2 splice variant showing the greatest stimulation. These results show that the hPACAP-R-SV2 exhibits enhanced efficacy for coupling to both PLC and activation of the protooncogenes, c-fos and c-myc suggesting a novel and potentially important mechanism for differentially activating signal transduction pathways that influence cellular growth and differentiation.

3T3 Cells↗

Tissue-specific transcription start sites and alternative splicing of the parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) receptor gene: a new PTH/PTHrP receptor splice variant that lacks the signal peptide.

The PTH/PTHrP receptor gene is expressed in bone and kidney as well as in many other tissues. Using primer extension followed by rapid cloning of amplified complementary DNA ends, we have isolated new PTH/PTHrP receptor complementary DNAs with different splicing patterns and have characterized a new upstream transcription start site. Three 5' nontranslated exons, U3, U2 and U1, located 4.8, 2.5, and 1.2 kb upstream of the exon that encodes the putative signal peptide of the classical receptor (exon S), have been characterized. Four types of splicing patterns were recognized. Type I splicing pattern is transcribed from exon U1 and is spliced to exons S and E1; this pattern was found in most tissues tested. Types II, III, and IV splicing patterns are transcribed from exon U3 and have a restricted tissue distribution. Type II splice pattern, containing exons U3, U2, and S and type III splicing pattern, containing exon U3, U2, and E1 (skipping exon S), was found only in kidney. Type IV splice pattern, containing exon U3 and S was found both in kidney and ovary. Because the type III splice variant skips exon S, translation of this splice variant initiates at a different AUG codon. The type III splice variant was weakly expressed on the cell surface of COS-7 cells, as assessed by double antibody binding assay, and no detectable ligand binding was observed on intact cells. The type III splice variant, however, increased cAMP accumulation in COS-7 cells when challenged with PTH(1-34), PTH(1-84) and hPTHrP(1-36) with EC50s that are similar to those observed in COS-7 cells expressing the type I variant but with a maximum stimulation that was lower than that observed in COS-7 cells expressing the type I variant. These data indicate low levels of cell surface expression of the type III splice variant. Treatment of COS-7 cells with tunicamycin decreased the size of the type I splice variant from a broad band of 85 kDa to a compact band of about 60 kDa. The type III splice variant did not change in size in COS-7 cells treated with tunicamycin, indicating that the type III splice variant did not undergo any glycosylation step. In conclusion, the PTH/PTHrP receptor gene uses alternate promoters in a tissue-specific manner that results in several tissue-specific alternatively spliced transcripts. One of these transcripts, the type III splice variant, is expressed in kidney and lacks the signal peptide.

Alternative Splicing↗

Expression of CD44 splice variants in normal respiratory epithelium and bronchial carcinomas: no evidence for altered CD44 splicing in metastasis.

Expression of alternatively spliced CD44 adhesion molecules has been implicated in metastatic spread of various rodent and human tumors. To determine whether specific CD44 splice variants contribute to metastatic spread of bronchial cancers, we compared the expression of CD44 splice variants in normal bronchial epithelium and bronchial cancers, including tumors which already spread to regional lymph nodes or distant organs. Variant CD44 expression was analysed by immunohistochemistry using variant exon-specific monoclonal antibodies. The precise composition of CD44 transcripts was delineated by exon-specific RT-PCR. The concurring data obtained by both methods revealed that high levels of standard CD44 and variants v5 and v6 as well as low levels of variants v7 and v10 are expressed both in normal bronchial epithelium and squamous cell lung cancers. No CD44 expression was observed in the highly metastatic small cell lung cancers and adenocarcinomas with the exception of bronchioalveolar cancers showing weak expression of standard CD44. These data suggest that expression of alternatively spliced CD44 molecules in the bronchial tract is related to the distinct differentiation of the respiratory epithelium. No correlation between expression of specific CD44 splice variants and metastasis of bronchial cancers was observed.

Alternative Splicing↗

Molecular cloning and characterization of two novel human RXR alpha splice variants.

Two novel cDNAs encoding RXR alpha splice variants (RXR alpha 2 and RXR alpha 3) were identified among human full-length cDNA libraries. RXR alpha 2 and RXR alpha 3 cDNAs possess open reading frames, leading to production of proteins lacking the N-terminal 27 and 97 amino acid residues of the RXR alpha 1 product, respectively. RXR alpha 2 and RXR alpha 3 genes have respective 5'-terminal exons. RXR alpha 3 is expressed in brain, spleen and prostate whereas the expression of RXR alpha 2 was below the detectable level. Both RXR alpha 2 and RXR alpha 3 showed a level of transcriptional activity and a dose response curve against the agonist LG100268 similar to RXR alpha 1 in reporter assay for the RXR alpha homodimer or that for the heterodimer with PPAR gamma 2. However, clear differences were observed among the splice variants when dose response curves were compared by the assay in the presence of coactivators such as SRC-1 and PGC-1. These results suggest specific physiological roles of two novel human RXR alpha splice variants.

Alternative Splicing↗

Characterisation of a new splice variant of MASK-BP3(ARF) and MASK human genes, and their expression patterns during haematopoietic cell differentiation.

In this study we report the characterisation of a new splice variant, here denominated splice variant 4 (accession number AF258557) of the human Multiple Ankyrin repeats Single KH domain (hMASK) (accession number AF521882) and the hMASK-4E-Binding Protein 3 Alternative Reading Frame (hMASK-BP3(ARF)) (accession number AF521883), containing a number of ANK-repeat motifs. Ankyrin (ANK) repeat-containing proteins carry out a wide variety of biological activities and are involved in processes, such as cell differentiation and transcriptional regulation. The present study reports the computer analysis of these splice variant cDNAs and their broad mRNA expression in different normal human tissues and cancer cell lines. An upregulation of the splice variant mRNAs expression was observed after HL-60 and erythroblast differentiation. The upregulation of splice variant 4 mRNA was considerably higher than those of the other variants, during erythroid differentiation.

Base Sequence↗

Real-time RT-PCR quantification of human telomerase reverse transcriptase splice variants in tumor cell lines and non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: We developed and validated a real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR for the quantification of 4 individual human telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) splice variants (alpha+beta+, alpha-beta+, alpha+beta-, alpha-beta-) in tumor cell lines and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: We used in silico designed primers and a common TaqMan probe for highly specific amplification of each TERT splice variant, PCR transcript-specific DNA external standards as calibrators, and the MCF-7 cell line for the development and validation of the method. We then quantified TERT splice variants in 6 tumor cell lines and telomerase activity and TERT splice variant expression in cancerous and paired noncancerous tissue samples from 28 NSCLC patients. RESULTS: In most tumor cell lines, we observed little variation in the proportion of TERT splice variants. The alpha+beta- splice variant showed the highest expression and alpha-beta+ and alpha-beta- the lowest. Quantification of the 4 TERT splice variants in NSCLC and surrounding nonneoplastic tissues showed the highest expression percentage for the alpha+beta- variant in both NSCLC and adjacent nonneoplastic tissue samples, followed by alpha+beta+, with the alpha-beta+ and alpha-beta- splice variants having the lowest expression. In the NSCLC tumors, the alpha+beta+ variant had higher expression than other splice variants, and its expression correlated with telomerase activity, overall survival, and disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time RT-PCR quantification is a specific, sensitive, and rapid method that can elucidate the biological role of TERT splice variants in tumor development and progression. Our results suggest that the expression of the TERT alpha+beta+ splice variant may be an independent negative prognostic factor for NSCLC patients.

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗

Cloning, pharmacological characterisation and tissue distribution of a novel 5-HT4 receptor splice variant, 5-HT4(i).

5-HT4 receptor pre-mRNA is alternatively spliced in human (h) tissue to produce several splice variants, called 5-HT4(a) to 5-HT4(h) and 5-HT4(n). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers designed to amplify both 5-HT4(a) and 5-HT4(b) amplified three additional bands in different tissues, two representing different mRNA species both encoding 5-HT4(g) and one representing mRNA for a novel splice variant named 5-HT4(i), cloned from testis and pancreas respectively. Primary and nested PCR detected both 5-HT4(g) and 5-HT4(i) in multiple tissues. Whereas 5-HT4(i), was found in all cardiovascular tissues analysed, 5-HT4(g) was mainly present in atria. However, quantitative RT-PCR indicated 5-HT4(g) expression also in cardiac ventricle. The pharmacological profiles and ability to activate adenylyl cyclase (AC) were compared between four recombinant h5-HT4 splice variants (a, b, g and i) expressed transiently and stably in HEK293 cells. Displacement of [(3)H]GR113808 with ten ligands revealed identical pharmacological profiles (affinity rank order: GR125487, SB207710, GR113808>SB203186>serotonin, cisapride, tropisetron>renzapride, 5-MeOT>5-CT). In transiently transfected HEK293 cells cisapride was a partial agonist compared to serotonin at 5-HT4(b), 5-HT4(g) and 5-HT4(i) receptors. In membranes from HEK293 cells stably expressing 5-HT4(g) (3,000 fmol/mg protein) or 5-HT4(i) (500 fmol/mg protein), serotonin and 5-MeOT were full agonists while cisapride was full agonist at 5-HT4(g) and partial agonist at 5-HT4(i), probably due to different receptor expression levels. At both 5-HT4(g) and 5-HT4(i), the behaviour of 5-HT4 receptor antagonists was dependent on receptor level. At high receptor levels, tropisetron and SB207710 and to a variable extent SB203186 and GR113808 displayed some partial agonist activity, whereas GR125487 and SB207266 reduced the AC activity below basal, indicating both receptors to be constitutively active. We conclude that the novel 5-HT4(i) receptor splice variant is pharmacologically indistinguishable from other 5-HT4 splice variants and that the 5-HT4(i) C-terminal tail does not influence coupling to AC.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

The cloned human 5-HT7 receptor splice variants: a comparative characterization of their pharmacology, function and distribution.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) receptor pre-mRNA is alternatively spliced in human tissue to produce three splice variants, h5-HT7(a), h5-HT7(b) and h5-HT7(d), which differ only in their carboxyl terminal tails. Using membranes from transiently and stably transfected HEK293 cells expressing the three recombinant h5-HT7 splice variants we compared their pharmacological profiles and ability to activate adenylyl cyclase. Using PCR on cDNA derived from various human tissues, the 5-HT7(a) and 5-HT7(b) splice variants were detected in every tissue examined. The h5-HT7(d) splice variant was detected in 13 of 16 tissues examined, with predominant expression in the heart, small intestine, colon, ovary and testis. All three h5-HT7 splice variants displayed high affinity binding for [3H]5-HT (pKd=8.8-8.9) in the presence and absence of 100 microM GTP and had similar binding affinities for all 17 ligands evaluated. In HEK293 cells expressing similar, high levels of receptor (approximately 10,000 fmol/mg protein), 5-CT (5-carboxamidotryptamine), 5-MeOT (5-methoxytryptamine) and 5-HT were full agonists while 8-OH-DPAT ((2R)-(+)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin) was a partial agonist with relative efficacy of approximately 0.8. Even at this high receptor level, EC50 values for stimulation of adenylyl cyclase were 10- to 50-fold higher than the Kd values, indicating a lack of spare receptors. No significant differences in coupling to adenylyl cyclase were observed between the three splice variants over a wide range of receptor expression levels. For antagonists, binding affinities determined by displacement of [3H]5-HT binding and by competitive inhibition of 5-HT-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity were essentially identical amongst the splice variants. These studies indicate that the three human splice variants are pharmacologically indistinguishable and that modifications of the carboxyl tail do not influence coupling to adenylyl cyclase.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Lack of catalytic activity of a murine mRNA cytoplasmic serine hydroxymethyltransferase splice variant: evidence against alternative splicing as a regulatory mechanism.

Mammalian serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) is a tetrameric, pyridoxal phosphate-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the reversible interconversion of serine and tetrahydrofolate to glycine and methylenetetrahydrofolate. This reaction generates single-carbon units for purine, thymidine, and methionine biosynthesis. Cytoplasmic SHMT (cSHMT) has been postulated to channel one-carbon substituted folates to various folate-dependent enzymes, and alternative splicing of the cSHMT transcript may be a mechanism that enables specific protein-protein interactions. The cytoplasmic isozyme is expressed from species-specific and tissue-specific alternatively spliced transcripts that encode proteins with modified carboxy-terminal domains, while the mitochondrial isozyme is expressed from a single transcript. While the full-length mouse and human cSHMT proteins are 91% identical, their alternatively spliced transcripts differ. The murine cSHMT gene is expressed as two transcripts. One transcript encodes a full-length 55 kDa active enzyme (cSHMT), while the other transcript encodes a 35 kDa protein (McSHMTtr). The McSHMTtr protein present in mouse liver and kidney does not bind 5-formyltetrahydrofolate, nor does it oligomerize with the full-length cSHMT enzyme. While recombinant cSHMT-glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins form tetramers and are catalytically active, McSHMTtr-glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins are catalytically inactive, do not form heterotetramers, and do not bind pyridoxal phosphate. Analysis of the murine cSHMT crystal structure indicates that the active site lysine that normally binds pyridoxal phosphate in the cSHMT protein is exposed to solvent in the McSHMTtr protein, preventing stable formation of a Schiff base with pyridoxal phosphate. Modeling studies suggest that the human cSHMT proteins expressed from alternatively spliced transcripts are inactive as well. Therefore, channeling mechanisms enabling specific protein-protein interactions of active enzymes are not based on cSHMT alternative splicing.

Alternative Splicing↗

Differential agonist sensitivity of glycine receptor alpha2 subunit splice variants.

1. The glycine receptor (GlyR) alpha2A and alpha2B splice variants differ by a dual, adjacent amino acid substitution from alpha2A(V58,T59) to alpha2B(I58,A59) in the N-terminal extracellular domain. 2. Comparing the effects of the GlyR agonists, glycine, beta-alanine and taurine, on the GlyR alpha2 isoforms, revealed a significant increase in potency for all three agonists at the alpha2B variant. 3. The sensitivities of the splice variants to the competitive antagonist, strychnine, and to the biphasic modulator Zn(2+), were comparable. In contrast, the allosteric inhibitor picrotoxin was more potent on GlyR alpha2A compared to GlyR alpha2B receptors. 4. Coexpression of alpha2A or alpha2B subunits with the GlyR beta subunit revealed that the higher agonist potencies observed with the alpha2B homomer were retained for the alpha2Bbeta heteromer. 5. The identical sensitivity to strychnine combined with a reduction in the maximum current induced by the partial agonist taurine at the GlyR alpha2A homomer, suggested that the changed sensitivity to agonists is in accordance with a modulation of agonist efficacy rather than agonist affinity. 6. An effect on agonist efficacy was also supported by using a structural model of the GlyR, localising the region of splice variation to the proposed docking region between GlyR loop 2 and the TM2-3 loop, an area associated with channel activation. 7. The existence of a spasmodic mouse phenotype linked to a GlyR alpha1(A52S) mutation, the equivalent position to the source of the alpha2 splice variation, raises the possibility that the GlyR alpha2 splice variants may be responsible for distinct roles in neuronal function.

Algorithms↗

Developmental expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor 1 splice variants in the chick retina.

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate retina. The N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor (NMDAR) is assembled as a tetramer containing NR1 and NR2, and possibly NR3 subunits, NR1 being essential for the formation of the ion channel. The NMDAR1 (NR1) gene encodes for mRNAs that generate at least eight functional variants by alternative splicing of exon 5 (cassette N1), 21 (cassette C1), or 22 (cassettes C2 or C2'). NR1 splice variants were identified in the mature chick retina, and their variation during embryonic development (ED) was analyzed. NR1 was shown to lack N1 in early ED, shifting to N1-containing variants in the mature retina, which could contribute to explaining the distinct biochemical properties of retinal NMDARs compared with the CNS. Sequence analysis of C-terminal variants containing C1 and C2 cassettes suggests a membrane-targeting mechanism for avian NMDARs distinct from that in mammals. An NR1 variant containing a novel alternative C-terminal splice exon named C3 was found, which encodes six amino acids containing a predicted casein kinase II phosphorylation site. This new variant is expressed in the retina during a restricted period of ED, coincident with the generation of spontaneous calcium activity waves, which precedes synapse formation in the retina, suggesting its participation in this process.

Alternative Splicing↗

Prognostic value of CD44 splice variants in human stage III cervical cancer.

The expression of specific cell adhesion molecule CD44 isoforms (splice variants) has been shown to be associated with poor prognosis in human malignancies, such as breast cancer. We used three different variant exon sequence-specific murine monoclonal antibodies to epitopes encoded by exons v5, v6 or v7-v8 of human variant CD44, to study the expression of CD44 splice variants by immunohistochemistry in human stage III cervical cancer. We investigated 40 pretreatment punch biopsies of cervical cancer FIGO stage III. CD44 splice variants CD44v5, CD44v6 and CD44v7-8 were detected by means of immunohistochemistry in 90%, 55% and 25%, respectively. CD44 epitopes encoded by exon v5 were not correlated with prognosis. Expression of CD44 splice variants containing epitopes encoded by exon v6 were correlated with significantly poorer prognosis (Mantel test, P = 0.008). Five-year survival rates with or without CD44v6 expression were 20% versus 71%, respectively. Expression of CD44v7-8 was also correlated with significantly poorer overall survival (Mantel test, P = 0.02). Expression of CD44 splice variants containing epitopes encoded by exons v7-v8 and especially exon v6 is associated with significantly poorer prognosis in stage III cervical cancer patients.

Aged↗

Common human SCN5A polymorphisms have altered electrophysiology when expressed in Q1077 splice variants.

BACKGROUND: Eight common (>0.5%) polymorphisms of SCN5A have been described in the US population. Every human also continuously generates two wild-type (WT) splice variants, one with a glutamine residue at position 1077 (Q1077) and one lacking this glutamine (Q1077del). One polymorphism (H558R) has been studied in both splice variants, five polymorphisms (R34C, R481W, S524Y, P1090L,V1951L) have not been previously studied, and two polymorphisms (S1103Y and R1193Q) have been studied in only one of the two splice variants. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the electrophysiologic molecular phenotype of the eight common polymorphisms in the two human splice variants of SCN5A. METHODS: Currents from 16 channels (all polymorphisms in both splice variants) were determined by voltage clamp and compared with WT after expression in HEK-293 cells. RESULTS: Six of eight polymorphisms showed a distinct phenotype that depended upon the background splice variant used for expression. Only R34C and V1951L showed no functional differences. S524Y showed a dramatic reduction in current density in the Q1077 background similar to that previously described for H558R. Four other polymorphisms (R481W, P1090L, S1103Y, R1193Q) showed shifts in activation, inactivation, or recovery that depended upon the splice variants. Shifts of a similar magnitude have been reported for arrhythmia syndrome mutations and are thought to be pathogenic. CONCLUSION: The majority of common human SCN5A polymorphisms have a distinct molecular phenotype that depends upon the splice variant background. These findings have implications for the interpretation of previous studies of arrhythmia mutations. The significance of these findings for clinical arrhythmia remains to be elucidated.

Alternative Splicing↗