A NEW JOURNEY OF HU PROTEIN FAMILY

Alternative splicing is a general mechanism in
higher eukaryotic organisms to increase their
diversity. In contrast to its importance, the
mechanism of alternative splicing regulation is
poorly understood, especially in the nervous system,
where extensive alternative splicing occurs. During
my Ph.D. study, I identified a family of novel
neuron-specific splicing regulators, Hu proteins. My
studies provided solid evidence that support the
splicing regulatory function of Hu proteins. Two
genes that undergo neuron-specific splicing were used
as model in my research: calcitonin/CGRP and NF1. In
calcitonin/CGRP gene model, Hu proteins inhibit the
recognition of the non-neuronal exon by two
mechanisms: blocking the positive splicing factors
TIA-1/R and suppressing polyadenylation. NF1 is a
well-studied tumor suppressor, and the
neuron-specific skipping of exon 23a has been
reported to change its activity. My research
demonstrated that Hu proteins strongly suppress
recognition of exon 23a by the splicing machinery in
neurons. In summary, my research has contributed
significantly to the understanding of the
splicing regulation in neurons.

Autorentext

Hui Zhu, M.D., Ph.D., graduated from Beijing Medical Universityin China before she entered the United States for graduate study.She received her Ph.D. in genetics at Case Western ReserveUniversity in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Zhu is currently an internalmedicine resident at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York.

Klappentext

Alternative splicing is a general mechanism in higher eukaryotic organisms to increase theirdiversity. In contrast to its importance, themechanism of alternative splicing regulation ispoorly understood, especially in the nervous system,where extensive alternative splicing occurs. Duringmy Ph.D. study, I identified a family of novelneuron-specific splicing regulators, Hu proteins. Mystudies provided solid evidence that support thesplicing regulatory function of Hu proteins. Twogenes that undergo neuron-specific splicing were usedas model in my research: calcitonin/CGRP and NF1. Incalcitonin/CGRP gene model, Hu proteins inhibit therecognition of the non-neuronal exon by twomechanisms: blocking the positive splicing factorsTIA-1/R and suppressing polyadenylation. NF1 is awell-studied tumor suppressor, and theneuron-specific skipping of exon 23a has beenreported to change its activity. My researchdemonstrated that Hu proteins strongly suppressrecognition of exon 23a by the splicing machinery inneurons. In summary, my research has contributedsignificantly to the understanding of thesplicing regulation in neurons.