Whole genome analysis of alternative splicing in human placental decidual cells

Alternative splicing (AS) of mRNA is a key stage of post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, which ensures the expression of various isoforms of RNA. Probably, this mechanism plays an important role in the development and functioning of the placenta. Decidual cells (DC) were chosen as the object of research due to their key role in physiological pregnancy. Whole transcriptome sequencing of DC RNA of placental tissue samples obtained from patients with the physiological pregnancy was performed, during which 151233 AS events in 352 genes were identified. It is noteworthy that two or more AS events characterized only 130 genes. These genes are involved in the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, regulation of substrate-dependent cell migration, activation of androgen receptors, and mRNA splicing. The maximum number of alternative events per gene established for the FN1 gene, the product of which is associated with the development of preeclampsia and is a screening marker of premature birth. The study suggests the prospects for further exploring of the distribution of alternatively spliced isoforms of the FN1 gene in a cohort of patients with both physiological pregnancy and obstetric pathology.

alternative splicing, whole transcriptome sequencing, transcript, isoform, fibronectin, FN1, placenta, decidual cells, human, SGSeq

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