Minigene reporter for identification and analysis of cis elements and trans factors affecting pre-mRNA splicing

Biotechniques. 2006 Aug;41(2):177-81. doi: 10.2144/000112208.

Abstract

All human genes contain a diverse array of cis-acting elements within introns and exons that are required for correct and efficient precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing. Recent computational analyses predict that most human exons contain elements required for splicing coinciding with an appreciation for the high frequency with which mutations that disruption pre-mRNA splicing cause disease. Minigenes provide a means to directly determine whether disease-causing mutations or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affect splicing efficiency. Minigenes have also been instrumental in investigations of alternative splicing to identify cis elements required for cell-specific splicing events, demonstrating regulation of individual splicing events by specific RNA binding proteins, and correlating binding of these splicing regulators with splicing regulation. Here we present a versatile minigene plasmid vector designed for rapid cloning and analysis of cis elements and trans-acting factors that influence splicing efficiency or regulate cell-specific splicing. Ubiquitous expression and unique restriction sites allow for straightforward replacement of a variety of gene segments to analyze the effects of nucleotide substitutions on splicing, to identify tissue-specific regulatory elements, or to determine responsiveness to coexpressed proteins or small molecules.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Technical Report

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing*
  • Animals
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Exons
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Genes, Reporter*
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mutation
  • Myoblasts / physiology
  • Plasmids
  • RNA Precursors / physiology*
  • Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional / genetics*
  • Trans-Activators / physiology*

Substances

  • RNA Precursors
  • Trans-Activators