The contribution of Alu exons to the human proteome

ABSTRACT: Alu element is a major contributor to lineage-specific new exons in the primate and human genomes. Recent studies indicate that some Alu exons have high transcript inclusion levels or tissue-specific splicing profiles, and may play important regulatory roles in modulating mRNA degradation or translational efficiency. However, the contribution of Alu exons to the human proteome remains unclear and controversial. The prevailing view is that exons derived from young repetitive elements (such as Alu) are restricted to regulatory functions but do not have adequate evolutionary time to be incorporated into stable, functional proteins. In this work, we adopt a proteotranscriptomics approach to systematically assess the contribution of Alu exons to the human proteome. Using RNA sequencing, ribosome profiling, and mass spectrometry data of diverse human tissues and cell lines, we provide evidence for the translational activities of Alu exons and the presence of Alu exon derived peptides in human proteins. These Alu exon peptides represent species-specific protein differences between primates and other mammals, and in certain instances even between humans and closely related nonhuman primates.  In the RNA editing enzyme ADARB1, which contains an Alu exon peptide in its catalytic domain, RNA editing analyses of RNA-sequencing data demonstrate that both the Alu exon skipping and inclusion isoforms encode active RNA editing enzymes, while the Alu exon peptide may fine tune the editing activities of the ADARB1 protein products . Together, our data indicate that Alu elements have contributed to the acquisition of novel protein sequences during primate and human evolution. Comparing the A-I RNA editing levels during HEK293 (control), ADARB1 long isoform (with Alu exon) transfected, and short isoform (without Alu exon) transfected cells, each group has 3 replicates.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

SUBMITTER: Jinkai Wang 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-65999 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress