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Splicing of plant pre-mRNAs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

Craig G. Simpson ,
Gordon G. Simpson ,
Gillian Clark ,
David J. Leader ,
Petra Vaux ,
F. Guerineau ,
Robbie Waugh  and
John W. S. Brown
Craig G. Simpson
Affiliation:
Department of Cell and Molecular Genetics, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland, U.K.
Gordon G. Simpson
Affiliation:
Department of Cell and Molecular Genetics, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland, U.K.
Gillian Clark
Affiliation:
Department of Cell and Molecular Genetics, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland, U.K.
David J. Leader
Affiliation:
Department of Cell and Molecular Genetics, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland, U.K.
Petra Vaux
Affiliation:
Department of Cell and Molecular Genetics, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland, U.K.
F. Guerineau
Affiliation:
Department of Cell and Molecular Genetics, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland, U.K.
Robbie Waugh
Affiliation:
Department of Cell and Molecular Genetics, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland, U.K.
John W. S. Brown*
Affiliation:
Department of Cell and Molecular Genetics, Scottish Crop Research Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee DD2 5DA, Scotland, U.K.
*
1 To whom correspondence should be addressed.
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Synopsis

Pre-messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing or the removal of introns from pre-mRNA transcripts is a key process in the maturation of mRNA. This process requires the assembly of a large complex of RNA and protein molecules, called the splicosome, on the pre-mRNA transcripts. Molecular and biochemical analyses of plant intron sequence and structure and of the components of the plant spliceosome are providing information on the mechanism of intron recognition and splice site selection in both monocoty-ledonous and dicotyledonous plants. This knowledge will help in gaining an understanding of phenomena such as the difference in splicing between monocotyledonous and dictoyledonous plants, the enhancement of gene expression brought about by the presence of some introns and alternative splicing. The importance of introns and pre-mRNA splicing to accurate and regulated gene expression, therefore, is of direct relevance to transgene expression and genetic manipulation.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 99 , Issue 3-4: Opportunities and Problems in Plant Biotechnology , 1992 , pp. 31 - 50
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1992

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