Trans-acting factors may cause dystrophin splicing misregulation in BMD skeletal muscles

FEBS Lett. 2003 Feb 27;537(1-3):30-4. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(03)00066-8.

Abstract

We analyzed dystrophin alternative splicing events in a large number of Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) affected individuals presenting major hot-spot deletions. Evidence is shown that altered splicing patterns in these patients do not directly result from the gene defect but probably derive from modifications in trans- rather than cis-acting factors. Several potential CUG-binding protein 2 (CUG-BP2) binding sites were found to be located in the dystrophin gene region encompassing exons 43-60 and CUG-BP2 transcript analysis indicated that not only expression levels are increased in dystrophic muscles but also that different CUG-BP2 isoforms are expressed. The possibility that CUG-BP2 might have a role in dystrophin splicing regulation is discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing*
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Dystrophin / genetics*
  • Exons
  • Humans
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / genetics*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Sequence Deletion*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Dystrophin
  • RNA, Messenger