Work

Nuclear determinants of mRNA and protein isoforms

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Isoform generation is a strategy for fine-tuning the activity of essential proteins, particularly during cell differentiation and cancer development. The coding sequence of mRNA is determined by alternative splicing during pre-mRNA processing, allowing the generation of different mRNA variants from a single gene. Alternative splicing is modulated by several pathways, including the selection of transcription initiation and termination sites. The activity of RNA-binding proteins involved in splicing is affected by spatial factors, including RNA folding, separation in local bio-condensates, and the three-dimensional organization of chromatin. The length of untranslated regions and the selection of alternative polyadenylation sites impact mRNA stability and translation accessibility, ultimately controlling the abundance of specific isoforms. This review highlights recent discoveries about the nuclear factors that modify alternative splicing, thereby coordinating the variety of mRNA and protein isoforms with cell state.

Source: Current Opinion in Cell Biology

DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2026.102666

Author: Paulina Podszywalow-Bartnicka

Institutions: Instytut Biologii Doświadczalnej im. Marcelego Nenckiego, Polish Academy of Sciences

Language: English

Topic: RNA Research and Splicing

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,390

Funder: Narodowe Centrum Nauki