22708632

PMC3448030

1DP20D004483/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States
P01 GM080512/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States
P01 GM080513/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States
R01 DC007416/DC/NIDCD NIH HHS/United States
R01 DC007416/DC/NIDCD NIH HHS/United States
R01 NS0508815/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States
R01 NS058815/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States
T32 GM008320/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States
U54 GM094608/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States
U54 GM94608/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States

CDC Public Access

Alternative splicing (AS) of RNA is a key mechanism for diversification of the eukaryotic proteome. In this process, different mRNA transcripts can be produced through altered excision and/or inclusion of exons during processing of the pre-mRNA molecule. Since its discovery, AS has been shown to play roles in protein structure, function, and localization. Dysregulation of this process can result in disease phenotypes. Moreover, AS pathways are promising therapeutic targets for a number of diseases. Integral membrane proteins (MPs) represent a class of proteins that may be particularly amenable to regulation by alternative splicing because of the distinctive topological restraints associated with their folding, structure, trafficking, and function. Here, we review the impact of AS on MP form and function and the roles of AS in MP-related disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.