A SEQUENCE-SPECIFIC SPLICING ACTIVATOR, TRA2-BETA, IS UP-REGULATED INRESPONSE TO NERVE INJURY

Tra2 beta is the first mammalian protein which is proved to activate m RNA splicing in sequence-specific manner. Following hypoglossal nerve injury, the expression of Tra2 beta mRNA was elevated in injured moton eurons transiently. The up-regulation of Tra2 beta mRNA was observed f rom post-operative day 3 to 21. In addition to the nerve injury in PNS , a brain lesion in CNS also enhanced the expression of Tra2 beta mRNA . The present study could be the first observation showing that an exp ression of the sequence-specific splicing activator is enhanced in neu ronal cells in response to nerve injury, and indicates that Tra2 beta may participate in the control of injury-specific splicing patterns in order to express molecules which are necessary for regeneration. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.