the sr protein familysr蛋白家族.pdfVIP

Protein family review The SR protein family Peter J Shepard and Klemens J Hertel Address: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA. Correspondence: Klemens J Hertel. Email: khertel@ More recent genome-wide studies have identified several Summary other RS-domain-containing proteins, most of which are The processing of pre-mRNAs is a fundamental step required for the expression of most metazoan genes. Members of the conserved in higher eukaryotes and function in pre-mRNA family of serine/arginine (SR)-rich proteins are critical compo- splicing or RNA metabolism [10]. Because of differences in nents of the machineries carrying out these essential processing domain structure, lack of mAb104 recognition, or lack of a events, highlighting their importance in maintaining efficient prototypical RRM, these proteins are referred to as SR-like gene expression. SR proteins are characterized by their ability or SR-related proteins. An extensive list of SR-related to interact simultaneously with RNA and other protein compo- proteins and their functional roles in RNA metabolism was nents via an RNA recognition motif (RRM) and through a domain rich in arginine and serine residues, the RS domain. recently discussed [11]. Their functional roles in gene expression are surprisingly diverse, ranging from their classical involvement in constitutive and While introns are common to all eukaryotes, the complex- alternative pre-mRNA splicing to various post-splicing activities, ity of alternative splicing varies among species. SR protei