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Intron retention in mRNA: No longer nonsense
Author(s) -
Wong Justin J.L.,
Au Amy Y. M.,
Ritchie William,
Rasko John E. J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.201500117
Subject(s) - intron , rna splicing , nonsense mediated decay , biology , nonsense , gene , computational biology , genetics , alternative splicing , gene expression , messenger rna , microbiology and biotechnology , rna
Until recently, retention of introns in mature mRNAs has been regarded as a consequence of mis‐splicing. Intron‐retaining transcripts are thought to be non‐functional because they are readily degraded by nonsense‐mediated decay. However, recent advances in next‐generation sequencing technologies have enabled the detection of numerous transcripts that retain introns. As we review herein, intron‐retaining mRNAs play an essential conserved role in normal physiology and an emergent role in diverse diseases. Intron retention should no longer be overlooked as a key mechanism that independently reduces gene expression in normal biology. Exploring its contribution to the development and/or maintenance of diseases is of increasing importance.