Affiliation:
1. Department of Biological Sciences and the Center for Neuroscience Research, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222, USA
Abstract
Neurons regulate genes post-transcriptionally to coordinate the supply of cytoskeletal proteins, such as the medium neurofilament (NEFM), with demand for structural materials in response to extracellular cues encountered by developing axons. Using a method for evaluating functionality of cis-regulatory gene elements in vivo through plasmid injection into Xenopus embryos, we discovered that splicing of a specific nefm intron was required for robust transgene expression, regardless of promoter or cell type. Transgenes utilizing the nefm 3'-UTR but substituting other nefm introns expressed little or no protein due to defects in handling of the mRNA as opposed to transcription or splicing. Post-transcriptional events at multiple steps, but mainly during nucleocytoplasmic export, contributed to these varied levels of protein expression. A β-globin intron was also able to promote expression in a fashion identical to that of the nefm intron, implying a more general preference for certain introns in controlling nefm expression. These results expand our knowledge of intron-mediated gene expression to encompass neurofilaments, indicating an additional layer of complexity in the control of a cytoskeletal gene needed for developing and maintaining healthy axons.
Funder
Division of Integrative Organismal Systems
American Association of University Women
Publisher
The Company of Biologists
Cited by
1 articles.
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