Alternative Splicing Switch

Adapted from Cell doi:10.1016/j.cell.2011.08.023

Alternative splicing (AS) is a key process underlying the expansion of proteomic diversity and the regulation of gene expression. Scientists from Canada and USA identified an evolutionarily conserved embryonic stem cell (ESC)-specific AS event that changes the DNA-binding preference of the forkhead family transcription factor FOXP1. An ESC-specific splicing switch in FOXP1 transcripts produces the FOXP1-ES isoform. FOXP1-ES has distinct DNA-binding properties compared to the canonical FOXP1 isoform. FOXP1-ES stimulates key pluripotency genes and represses many differentiation genes. FOXP1-ES is required for ESC pluripotency and efficient induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) reprogramming.

These results reveal a pivotal role for an AS event in the regulation of pluripotency through the control of critical ESC-specific transcriptional programs.

The findings are published in the recent issue of Cell

TASD: Teleost Alternative Splicing Database

Alternative splicing  (AS) is recognized as one of the mechanisms by which the coding capacity and diversity of the genome can be amplified. Scientists have recently conducted the first major genome-wide analysis of AS in teleost fish. An online database  for teleost AS was created using the ASviewer format.  The database (TASD) is publically available and allows easy identification and visualization of AS transcripts in the teleost genomes.

Users of the database can search for the number, type, and location of AS genes in channel catfish, fugu, medaka, zebrafish, and stickleback as well as visualizing the AS event. AS information will be added for additional species as warranted.