Year 3
The overwhelming majority of human genes undergo extensive alternative splicing, but save for several dozens of these regulated splicing events, it is not known which proteins are responsible for controlling these key splicing decisions. Furthermore, mutations in several of these proteins, known as splicing factors, have recently been shown to be causative of neurodegeneration. In this proposal we aim to understand the importance of splicing factor regulation of alternative splicing in controlling pluripotency, fate decision towards the neural lineage and neuronal survival. In year 3 of the proposal, we have completed a deeper analysis of hnRNP A2/B1 which we are preparing for manuscript submission. HnRNP A2/B1 is implicated in neurological diseases such as ALS and FTD.