- SR protein
SR proteins are
Serine /Arginine -richprotein s which are involved in regulating and selecting splice sites in eukaryoticmRNA .Alternative splicing requires SR proteins to select which alternative splice sites should be used.Most evidences indicated that SR proteins are encoded by essential genes. Recently a
RNAi study inC. elegans was not able to confirm the essentiality. However when several SR mRNAs were targeted by RNAi simultaneously, lethality was observed.Location and translocation
SR proteins are localized in speckle domain in the interphase nucleus. Some SR proteins travel between nucleus and cytoplasm. Subcellular localization of SR proteins are affected by phosphorylation. Recent studies (in 2006) suggest fundamental differences in the regulation of the mobility of plant (ATP dependent) and animal (ATP independent) SR splicing factors.
tructure
All SR proteins have one or two "N-terminal RNA binding domain" and "C-terminal protein interaction domain". The latter which is rich in
serine andarginine is called SR domain. Serines in SR domain may be extensively phosphorylated. This is a method by which cell can regulate the localization of the proteins. One SR domain can interact with another SR domain. SR domains and RNA recognition motifs (RRM) are modular. SR domain can be seen in proteins other that SR family.Function
SR proteins have been shown to have roles in alternative and constitutive splicing inadition to roles in translation.
Exon dependent roles (splicing)
*Recruitment of U1 and U2AF
*Splicing regulatory functionsExon independent roles (splicing)
*SR protein may have a role in recruiting U4U5U6 tri-complex.
References
*Graveley, Brenton. "Sorting out the complexity of SR protein functions". RNA. 2000 Sep;6(9):1197-1211. Entrez Pubmed|10999598
The members of the SR protein family of pre-mRNA splicing factors have distinct functions in promoting alternative splice site usage. Here we show that SR proteins are required for the first step of spliceosome assembly, interaction of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex (U1 snRNP) with the 5' splice site of the pre-mRNA. Further, we find that individual SR proteins have distinct abilities to promote interaction of U1 snRNP with alternative 5' splice junctions. These results suggest that SR proteins direct 5' splice site selection by regulation of U1 snRNP assembly onto the pre-mRNA.
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