Regulation of CD44 alternative splicing by SRm160 and its potential role in tumor cell invasion

C Cheng, PA Sharp - Molecular and cellular biology, 2006 - Am Soc Microbiol
C Cheng, PA Sharp
Molecular and cellular biology, 2006Am Soc Microbiol
The multiple isoforms of the transmembrane glycoprotein CD44 are produced by alternative
RNA splicing. Expression of CD44 isoforms containing variable 5 exon (v5) correlates with
enhanced malignancy and invasiveness of some tumors. Here we demonstrate that
SRm160, a splicing coactivator, regulates CD44 alternative splicing in a Ras-dependent
manner. Overexpression of SRm160 stimulates inclusion of CD44 v5 when Ras is activated.
Conversely, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of SRm160 significantly …
Abstract
The multiple isoforms of the transmembrane glycoprotein CD44 are produced by alternative RNA splicing. Expression of CD44 isoforms containing variable 5 exon (v5) correlates with enhanced malignancy and invasiveness of some tumors. Here we demonstrate that SRm160, a splicing coactivator, regulates CD44 alternative splicing in a Ras-dependent manner. Overexpression of SRm160 stimulates inclusion of CD44 v5 when Ras is activated. Conversely, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated silencing of SRm160 significantly reduces v5 inclusion. Immunoprecipitation shows association of SRm160 with Sam68, a protein that also stimulates v5 inclusion in a Ras-dependent manner, suggesting that these two proteins interact to regulate CD44 splicing. Importantly, siRNA-mediated depletion of CD44 v5 decreases tumor cell invasion. Reduction of SRm160 by siRNA transfection downregulates the endogenous levels of CD44 isoforms, including v5, and correlates with a decrease in tumor cell invasiveness.
American Society for Microbiology