Do 5' regions of human protein-coding genes contain the blueprints for alternative splicing?

Abstract

To investigate alternative splicing capacity, we statistically compared the properties of human protein-coding genes with multiple transcript isoforms (MISOG) and single transcript isoforms (SISOG). Apart from global exon content, differential features are concentrated in the 5 gene regions, with MISOG presenting complex 5 untranslated region architecture and a distinctive flanking environment around first 5 intron. Importantly, we found that 5 exons are more prone to alternative splicing in MISOG. These results unravel previous observations indicating the importance of 5 gene regions in some transcriptional processes and call for their reassessment in light of the MISOG/SISOG profiles.