Deciphering the role of the putative RNA-binding protein TFIP11 in regulating tissue-specific alternative splicing

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) comprise a large class of proteins that regulate the metabolism of RNA transcripts throughout their life cycle. Many regulatory RBPs function in a cell-, tissue-, or condition-specific manner and are capable of regulating variety of molecular processes such as alternative splicing of messenger RNAs that is critical for appropriate protein expression in the corresponding tissues. Normal functions of RBPs are vital for human physiology, as defects in RBP function have been associated with many diseases such as neurodegeneration, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. RNA-binding domains (RBDs) in RBPs are the functional units responsible for RNA binding. Multiple RBDs are often present in a single RBP and these modular domains can coordinate and enhance binding to RNA in a sequence and/or structure-specific manner. Tuftelin Interacting Protein 11 (TFIP11) is a spliceosome protein which possesses two putative RBDs, one G-patch domain at its N-terminal region and one dsRBD at the C-terminal extremity. Despite we previously demonstrated important regulatory roles for TFIP11 in regulating spliceosome assembly and activation, little is known about the functionality of its RNA-binding modules, nor about the molecular mechanisms governing its role in regulating tissue-specific alternative splicing. The present project aims to further address these two fundamental questions and will provide an unprecedented classification of TFIP11 as a new RNA binding protein.