Abstract
The genes related to response of various stresses seem to be particularly prone to alternative splicing in higher plants. Ser/Arg-rich (SR) proteins are important splicing regulators at post-transcriptional level. Arabidopsis contains 20 types of SR protein homologue. We previously showed that the SR41a was rapidly induced by the high-light intensity. Here we aimed to clarify the alternative splicing mechanism regulated by the SR41a.
The RT-PCR analysis showed that 5 types of splicing variant are produced from the SR41a gene by the alternative splicing. By the transient assay using tobacco BY-2 protoplasts, the SR41a-GFP fusion protein was detected only in nucleus, suggesting its function as a splicing factor. To identify genes regulated by the SR41a, the analysis of expression levels studied using the transgenic plant over-expressing SR41a- or SR41a-KO mutant. Interestingly, transcript levels of SR34b and SCL33 were decreased in SR41a- KO mutant compared with those of wild-type plants.
