hnRNP A1 and hnRNP F modulate the alternative splicing of exon 11 of the insulin receptor gene

PLoS One. 2011;6(11):e27869. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027869. Epub 2011 Nov 23.

Abstract

Exon 11 of the insulin receptor gene (INSR) is alternatively spliced in a developmentally and tissue-specific manner. Linker scanning mutations in a 5' GA-rich enhancer in intron 10 identified AGGGA sequences that are important for enhancer function. Using RNA-affinity purification and mass spectrometry, we identified hnRNP F and hnRNP A1 binding to these AGGGA sites and also to similar motifs at the 3' end of the intron. The hnRNPs have opposite functional effects with hnRNP F promoting and hnRNP A1 inhibiting exon 11 inclusion, and deletion of the GA-rich elements eliminates both effects. We also observed specific binding of hnRNP A1 to the 5' splice site of intron 11. The SR protein SRSF1 (SF2/ASF) co-purified on the GA-rich enhancer and, interestingly, also competes with hnRNP A1 for binding to the splice site. A point mutation -3U→C decreases hnRNP A1 binding, increases SRSF1 binding and renders the exon constitutive. Lastly, our data point to a functional interaction between hnRNP F and SRSF1 as a mutant that eliminates SRSF1 binding to exon 11, or a SRSF1 knockdown, which prevents the stimulatory effect of hnRNP F over expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / genetics*
  • Base Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • Consensus Sequence
  • Exons / genetics*
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hep G2 Cells
  • Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A1
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group A-B / metabolism*
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group F-H / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Introns / genetics
  • Models, Biological
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutagenesis / genetics
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Nucleotide Motifs / genetics
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Receptor, Insulin / genetics*
  • Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors

Substances

  • Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein A1
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group A-B
  • Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group F-H
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors
  • Receptor, Insulin