Alternative splicing as a regulator of development and tissue identity

Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2017 Jul;18(7):437-451. doi: 10.1038/nrm.2017.27. Epub 2017 May 10.

Abstract

Alternative splicing of eukaryotic transcripts is a mechanism that enables cells to generate vast protein diversity from a limited number of genes. The mechanisms and outcomes of alternative splicing of individual transcripts are relatively well understood, and recent efforts have been directed towards studying splicing networks. It has become apparent that coordinated splicing networks regulate tissue and organ development, and that alternative splicing has important physiological functions in different developmental processes in humans.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / genetics
  • Alternative Splicing / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics

Substances

  • Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger