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Decoding proteomic complexity of transcript variants and homologous isoforms for precision therapeutics

Year: 2026
Type: review
Abstract: The traditional "one gene, one protein" paradigm is insufficient to capture the vast phenotypic and physiological complexity of eukaryotes. This review aims to comprehensively elucidate the molecular mechanisms of transcriptomic diversification, namely, alternative splicing, alternative usage of promoter, and alternative polyadenylation, and their profound impacts on cellular homeostasis and human disease. By synthesizing recent breakthroughs in targeted long-read RNA sequencing, single-cell isoform-specific multiomics, and AI-driven 3D structural modeling, we systematically examine how transcript variants are generated and functionally annotated. Our analysis highlights that multiple transcript variants originating from a single genetic locus are not merely redundant copies; rather, subtle sequence alterations dynamically rewire protein-protein interaction networks and dictate precise subcellular localization. The exquisite spatiotemporal regulation of these variants controls critical cell fate decisions and organ development. Consequently, the pathological dysregulation of these processes, frequently termed spliceopathies, acts as a primary driver in severe pathologies, including cancer multidrug resistance, metabolic reprogramming, and neurodegenerative disorders. In conclusion, understanding the eukaryotic proteome requires a fundamental shift from conventional gene-level to isoform-level perspectives. Decoding the complex regulatory syntax of transcript variants paves the way for next-generation precision medicine, highlighting the therapeutic potential of RNA-targeted interventions, such as antisense oligonucleotides and CRISPR-based RNA editing, to correct pathogenic isoforms.
DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.26.299
Language: English
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7224417425
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