ETR-3 represses Tau exons 2/3 inclusion, a splicing event abnormally enhanced in myotonic dystrophy type I

J Neurosci Res. 2006 Sep;84(4):852-9. doi: 10.1002/jnr.20980.

Abstract

Altered splicing of transcripts, including the insulin receptor (IR) and the cardiac troponin (cTNT), is a key feature of myotonic dystrophy type I (DM1). CELF and MBNL splicing factor members regulate the splicing of those transcripts. We have previously described an alteration of Tau exon 2 splicing in DM1 brain, resulting in the favored exclusion of exon 2. However, the factors required for alternative splicing of Tau exon 2 remain undetermined. Here we report a decreased expression of CELF family member and MBNL transcripts in DM1 brains as assessed by RT-PCR. By using cellular models with a control- or DM1-like splicing pattern of Tau transcripts, we demonstrate that ETR-3 promotes selectively the exclusion of Tau exon 2. These results together with the analysis of Tau exon 6 and IR exon 11 splicing in brain, muscle, and cell models suggest that DM1 splicing alteration of several transcripts involves various factors.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / physiology*
  • Blotting, Western / methods
  • Brain / metabolism
  • CELF Proteins
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / methods
  • Exons* / physiology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Myotonic Dystrophy / genetics*
  • Myotonic Dystrophy / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology*
  • Neuroblastoma
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Transfection / methods
  • tau Proteins / genetics
  • tau Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • CELF Proteins
  • CELF2 protein, human
  • CELF4 protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • tau Proteins