An important mechanism to increase proteome diversity is through the process of alternative splicing (AS), wherein individual gene transcripts can be processed to generate functionally distinct proteins, a phenomenon identified in nearly all multi-exon human genes. While most known splicing regulatory proteins are ubiquitously expressed, a subset of tissue specific splicing regulators that govern global splicing regulatory networks (SRN) have been identified. Our laboratory has identified the cell type-specific epithelial splicing regulatory proteins (ESRP1 and ESRP2) that regulate splicing of gene transcripts encoding proteins involved in the maintenance of epithelial cell differentiation and function. The process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the reverse process of MET have been extensively studied at the transcriptional level, while only recently has the impact of alternative splicing during these processes been evaluated. The ESRPs are primary regulators of AS during the EMT, where a dramatic reduction in ESRP1 and ESRP2 is observed compared to only modest changes in expression of other splicing regulators. Notably, genes regulated at the level of transcription and A encode proteins that function in common pathways that impact EMT, but the specific genes altered at the transcriptional and AS levels do not overlap, emphasizing the importance of alternative splicing as an additional layer of regulation involved in cellular reprogrammin during EMT. Epithelial cell differentiation and MET conversions are functionally conserved mechanisms important for normal development and can be clearly observed in the formation of the kidney, where the ESRPs are expressed. Identification of the SRN mediated by ESRP will be crucial in understanding the mechanism of EMT/MET conversions and lend insight into these processes during normal development and disease. We hypothesize that ESRP driven alternative splicing events are essential in the proper regulation of epithelial cell differentiation and function, as well as the process of MET in normal kidney development and patterning. To test the role of the Esrps in kidney development we will utilize Cre-mediated conditional knockouts for the Esrps to evaluate: 1) Esrp function and splicing regulation during epithelial cell differentiation/specification in ureteric bud branching and formation of collecting duct epithelial cells and 2) Esrp function and splicing regulaton during MET in the formation of renal tubular cells from the cap mesenchyme. To address the impact of Esrp loss in kidney development and regulation of a SRN in vivo we will analyze kidneys at the histological level and at the level of alternative splicing and polyadenylation using state-of-the-art high throughput RNA sequencing methodologies.
Alternative splicing is a fundamental cellular process from which variable transcripts and proteomic diversity can be achieved from a single gene, and perturbation of regulated alternative splicing is associated with numerous diseases. We have identified two splicing regulatory factors that govern a large splicing regulatory network essential for epithelial cells. The maintenance of epithelial cell differentiation and mesenchymal to epithelial transitions are essential for normal development and likely require the function of the epithelial splicing regulatory proteins.
| Bebee, Thomas W; Park, Juw Won; Sheridan, Katherine I et al. (2015) The splicing regulators Esrp1 and Esrp2 direct an epithelial splicing program essential for mammalian development. Elife 4: |
