Sex-lethal interacts with splicing factors in vitro and in vivo.

摘要: The Drosophila sex determination gene Sex-lethal controls its own expression and the of downstream target genes such as transformer by regulating RNA splicing. Genetic molecular studies have established that Sxl requires product another gene, snf, to autoregulate splicing transcripts. snf has recently been shown encode a U1 U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle protein. In work reported here, we demonstrate Snf proteins can interact directly in vitro these two are part an RNase-sensitive complex vivo which be immunoprecipitated with antibody. Unlike bulk protein, sediments slowly sucrose gradients, protein associated is large, rapidly sedimenting complex. Detailed characterization Sxl-Snf complexes from cross-linked extracts indicates contain additional RNAs. Finally, consistent RNase sensitivity complexes, transcripts also antibodies. On basis physical interactions between Snf, present model for regulation. This helps explain how able promote sex-specific transcripts, utilizing sequences distant regulated splice sites.