Molecular cloning and expression analysis of Bmrbp1 , the Bombyx mori homologue of the Drosophila gene rbp1

Mol Biol Rep. 2010 Jun;37(5):2525-31. doi: 10.1007/s11033-009-9768-z.

Abstract

RBP1 is an important splicing factor involved in alternative splicing of the pre-mRNA of Drosophila sex-determining gene dsx. In this work, the Bombyx mori homologue of the rbp1 gene, Bmrbp1, was cloned. The pre-mRNA of Bmrbp1 gene is alternatively spliced to produce four mature mRNAs, named Bmrbp1-PA, Bmrbp1-PB, Bmrbp1-PC and Bmrbp1-PD, with nucleotide lengths of 799 nt, 1,316 nt, 894 nt and 724 nt, coding for 142 aa, 159 aa, 91 aa and 117 aa, respectively. BmRBP1-PA and BmRBP1-PD contain a N terminal RNA recognization motif (RRM) and a C terminal arginine/serine-rich domain, while BmRBP1-PB and BmRBP1-PC only share a RRM. Amino acid sequence alignments showed that BmRBP1 is conserved with its homologues in other insects and with other SR family proteins. The RT-PCR showed that Bmrbp1-PA was strongly expressed in all examined tissues and development stages, but Bmrbp1-PB was weakly expressed in these tissues and stages. The expression of both Bmrbp1-PA and Bmrbp1-PB showed no obvious sex difference. While the Bmrbp1-PC and Bmrbp1-PD were beyond detection by RT-PCR very likely due to their tissue/stage specificity. These results suggested that Bmrbp1 should be a member of SR family splicing factors, whether it is involved in the sex-specific splicing of Bmdsx pre-mRNA needs further research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing
  • Animals
  • Bombyx / genetics*
  • Bombyx / metabolism
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Drosophila / genetics*
  • Drosophila / metabolism
  • Drosophila Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics*
  • Gene Expression
  • Genetic Vectors
  • RNA Splicing
  • RNA Splicing Factors
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • RBP1 protein, Drosophila
  • RNA Splicing Factors
  • RNA-Binding Proteins