Role of precursor mRNA splicing in nutrient-induced alterations in gene expression and metabolism

• Published in: The Journal of nutrition Vol. 145; no. 5; pp. 841 - 846
• Main Authors: Ravi, Suhana, Schilder, Rudolf J, Kimball, Scot R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.2015
• Subjects: Alternative Splicing; Animals; Diet - adverse effects; Energy Intake; Energy Metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Models, Biological; Protein Isoforms - genetics; Protein Isoforms - metabolism; Protein Transport; RNA Precursors - metabolism; RNA Splicing; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; mRNA; splice factors; alternative splicing; macronutrient; skeletal muscle; micronutrient
• ISSN: 0022-3166; 1541-6100
• DOI: 10.3945/jn.114.203216

Precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) splicing is a critical step in gene expression that results in the removal of intronic sequences from immature mRNA, leading to the production of mature mRNA that can be translated into protein. Alternative pre-mRNA splicing is the process whereby alternative exons and/or introns are selectively included or excluded, generating mature mRNAs that encode proteins that may differ in function. The resulting alterations in the pattern of protein isoform expression can result in changes in protein-protein interaction, subcellular localization, and flux through metabolic pathways. Although basic mechanisms of pre-mRNA splicing of introns and exons are reasonably well characterized, how these mechanisms are regulated remains poorly understood. The goal of this review is to highlight selected recent advances in our understanding of the regulation of pre-mRNA splicing by nutrients and modulation of nutrient metabolism that result from changes in pre-mRNA splicing.