Signals controlling alternative splicing of major histocompatibility complex H-2 class I pre-mRNA

• Published in: Immunogenetics (New York) 1988, Vol.28 (2), p.81-90
• Main Authors: HANDY, D. E, MCCLUSKEY, J, LEW, A. M, COLIGAN, J. E, MARGULIES, D. H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Membrane - immunology; DNA Mutational Analysis; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression Regulation; Genes, MHC Class I; H-2 Antigens - genetics; Introns; L Cells; Mice; Molecular and cellular biology; Molecular genetics; Nucleic Acid Precursors - genetics; RNA Splicing; RNA, Messenger - genetics; Transcription. Transcription factor. Splicing. Rna processing; Transfection
• ISSN: 0093-7711; 1432-1211
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00346155

The use of alternative splice acceptor sites during the removal of intron 7 in pre-mRNA splicing produces two forms of H-2Kb protein: the predominant form, derived from a transcript that has spliced at the upstream splice acceptor site for exon 8 (long exon 8), and a Kb molecule derived from a transcript that has spliced at the downstream acceptor site for exon 8 (short exon 8). We have identified a potential lariat branch point adenosine for the upstream acceptor splice site. This adenosine is found 28 bp from the splice junction and is contained in the sequence AGTGATGG. D-region genes, which use only the downstream splice site, have the sequence AGTGGTGG. We have used in vitro mutagenesis to change this A of the H-2Kb gene to G and have made the reciprocal change in H-2Dd. Elimination of this adenosine in H-2Kb alters the pattern of pre-mRNA splicing and results in a predominance of the Kb molecules with short exon 8 encoded sequences. However, the addition of an adenosine in H-2Dd is not sufficient to direct splicing to the upstream site.