Quaking isoforms cooperate to promote the mesenchymal phenotype

Mol Biol Cell. 2024 Feb 1;35(2):ar17. doi: 10.1091/mbc.E23-08-0316. Epub 2023 Nov 29.

Abstract

The RNA-binding protein Quaking (QKI) has widespread effects on mRNA regulation including alternative splicing, stability, translation, and localization of target mRNAs. Recently, QKI was found to be induced during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), where it promotes a mesenchymal alternative splicing signature that contributes to the mesenchymal phenotype. QKI is itself alternatively spliced to produce three major isoforms, QKI-5, QKI-6, and QKI-7. While QKI-5 is primarily localized to the nucleus where it controls mesenchymal splicing during EMT, the functions of the two predominantly cytoplasmic isoforms, QKI-6 and QKI-7, in this context remain uncharacterized. Here we used CRISPR-mediated depletion of QKI in a human mammary epithelial cell model of EMT and studied the effects of expressing the QKI isoforms in isolation and in combination. QKI-5 was required to induce mesenchymal morphology, while combined expression of QKI-5 with either QKI-6 or QKI-7 further enhanced mesenchymal morphology and cell migration. In addition, we found that QKI-6 and QKI-7 can partially localize to the nucleus and contribute to alternative splicing of QKI target genes. These findings indicate that the QKI isoforms function in a dynamic and cooperative manner to promote the mesenchymal phenotype.

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing*
  • Humans
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • RNA Splicing*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism

Substances

  • Protein Isoforms
  • RNA, Messenger