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. 1993 Sep;13(9):5461–5468. doi: 10.1128/mcb.13.9.5461

Control of BEK and K-SAM splice sites in alternative splicing of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 pre-mRNA.

E Gilbert 1, F Del Gatto 1, P Champion-Arnaud 1, M C Gesnel 1, R Breathnach 1
PMCID: PMC360257  PMID: 8355693

Abstract

The fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 gene pre-mRNA can be spliced by using either the K-SAM exon or the BEK exon. The exon chosen has a profound influence on the ligand-binding specificity of the receptor obtained. Cells make a choice between the two alternative exons by controlling use of both exons. Using fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 minigenes, we have shown that in cells normally using the K-SAM exon, the BEK exon is not used efficiently even in the absence of the K-SAM exon. This is because these cells apparently express a titratable repressor of BEK exon use. In cells normally using the BEK exon, the K-SAM exon is not used efficiently even in the absence of a functional BEK exon. Three purines in the K-SAM polypyrimidine tract are at least in part responsible for this, as their mutation to pyrimidines leads to efficient use of the K-SAM exon, while mutating the BEK polypyrimidine tract to include these purines stops BEK exon use.

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Selected References

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