Splicing repression allows the gradual emergence of new Alu-exons in primate evolution

• DOI: 10.7554/elife.19545
• Publication Date: 2016-11-18T14:00:31Z
• Authors: Jan Attig; Igor Ruiz de los ...; Nejc Haberman; Zhen Wang; Warren Emmett; Kathi Zarnack; Julian König; Jernej Ule
• Keywords: Alu element; Retrotransposon; Nonsense-Mediated Decay; Exon skipping; Exon shuffling

Alu elements are retrotransposons that frequently form new exons during primate evolution. Here, we assess the interplay of splicing repression by hnRNPC and nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) in quality control evolution Alu-exons. We identify 3100 Alu-exons show NMD more efficiently recognises transcripts with compared to other premature termination codons. However, some escape NMD, especially when an adjacent intron is retained, highlighting importance concerted NMD. evolutionary progression 3' splice sites coupled longer repressive uridine tracts. Once site at ancient reaches a stable phase, decreases, but generally remain sensitive conclude motifs strongest next cryptic gradual weakening these contributes emergence alternative exons.