Deterministic splicing of Dscam2 is regulated by Muscleblind

Sci Adv. 2019 Jan 16;5(1):eaav1678. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aav1678. eCollection 2019 Jan.

Abstract

Alternative splicing increases the proteome diversity crucial for establishing the complex circuitry between trillions of neurons. To provide individual cells with different repertoires of protein isoforms, however, this process must be regulated. Previously, we found that the mutually exclusive alternative splicing of Drosophila Dscam2 produces two isoforms (A and B) with unique binding properties. This splicing event is cell type specific, and the transmembrane proteins that it generates are crucial for the development of axons, dendrites, and synapses. Here, we show that Muscleblind (Mbl) controls Dscam2 alternative splicing. Mbl represses isoform A and promotes the selection of isoform B. Mbl mutants exhibit phenotypes also observed in flies engineered to express a single Dscam2 isoform. Consistent with this, mbl expression is cell type specific and correlates with the splicing of isoform B. Our study demonstrates how the regulated expression of a splicing factor is sufficient to provide neurons with unique protein isoforms crucial for development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics*
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism*
  • Exons
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Mushroom Bodies / cytology
  • Mushroom Bodies / physiology
  • Mutation
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / genetics*
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • RNA Interference

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Dscam2 protein, Drosophila
  • Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • mbl protein, Drosophila