How does a single gene produce multiple proteins? This review explores alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs, a crucial regulatory mechanism that controls gene expression and protein diversity. By influencing major developmental decisions and fine-tuning gene function, alternative splicing plays a vital role in development. Understanding this process is essential for deciphering the complexity of gene regulation. The review discusses cis-acting regulatory elements and trans-acting factors that control alternative splicing. Specific factors expressed during development and variations in general factor levels can impact splicing decisions. Some factors actively participate in both constitutive splicing and the regulation of alternative splicing. The cooperation and antagonism of these factors at regulatory elements contribute to specificity and finely tuned cell-type-specific splicing patterns. Understanding the intricacies of alternative splicing is essential for comprehending development and gene function. Deciphering the cooperative and antagonistic effects integrated at regulatory elements will provide deeper insights into cell-type-specific alternative splicing patterns and their role in development and disease.
This review, published in the Annual Review of Genetics, aligns with the journal’s focus on major advances in the field of genetics. By providing a comprehensive overview of alternative splicing, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of gene expression and its role in development. The emphasis on regulatory elements and trans-acting factors reflects the journal's commitment to exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic processes.