Advances in the study of SR protein family

Genomics Proteomics Bioinformatics. 2003 Feb;1(1):2-8. doi: 10.1016/s1672-0229(03)01002-7.

Abstract

The name of SR proteins is derived from their typical RS domain that is rich in serine (Ser, S) and arginine (Arg, R). They are conserved in evolution. Up to now, 10 members of the SR protein family have been identified in humans. SR proteins contain one or two RNA binding motifs aside from the RS domain, and also possess special biochemical and immunological features. As to the functions of SR proteins, they facilitate the recruitment of the components of splicesome via protein-protein interaction to prompt the assembly of early splicesome; while in alternative splicing, tissue-specifically expressed SR protein along with the relative ratio of SR protein and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) is composed of two main regulative mechanisms to alternative splicing. Almost all of the biochemical functions are regulated by reversible phosphorylation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing
  • Amino Acid Motifs
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Phosphorylation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Proteomics / methods*
  • RNA / chemistry
  • Spliceosomes / chemistry*
  • Spliceosomes / metabolism

Substances

  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoproteins
  • RNA