Exploiting the CRISPR/Cas9 system to study alternative splicing in vivo: application to titin

Hum Mol Genet. 2016 Oct 15;25(20):4518-4532. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddw280.

Abstract

The giant protein titin is the third most abundant protein in striated muscle. Mutations in its gene are responsible for diseases affecting the cardiac and/or the skeletal muscle. Titin has been reported to be expressed in multiple isoforms with considerable variability in the I-band, ensuring the modulation of the passive mechanical properties of the sarcomere. In the M-line, only the penultimate Mex5 exon coding for the specific is7 domain has been reported to be subjected to alternative splicing. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 editing technology, we generated a mouse model where we stably prevent the expression of alternative spliced variant(s) carrying the corresponding domain. Interestingly, the suppression of the domain induces a phenotype mostly in tissues usually expressing the isoform that has been suppressed, indicating that it fulfills (a) specific function(s) in these tissues allowing a perfect adaptation of the M-line to physiological demands of different muscles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing*
  • Animals
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems*
  • Gene Editing / methods*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Models, Animal*
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Sarcomeres / metabolism

Substances

  • Protein Isoforms
  • Protein Kinases
  • titin protein, mouse