RBMX enables productive RNA processing of ultra-long exons important for genome stability

Abstract

Previously we showed that the germline-specific RNA binding protein RBMXL2 is essential for male meiosis where it represses cryptic splicing patterns (1). Here we find that its ubiquitously expressed paralog RBMX helps underpin human genome stability by preventing non-productive splicing. In particular, RBMX blocks selection of aberrant splice and polyadenylation sites within some ultra-long exons that would interfere with genes needed for normal replication fork activity. Target exons include within the ETAA1 (Ewings Tumour Associated 1) gene, where RBMX collaborates with its interaction partner Tra2{beta} to enable full-length exon inclusion by blocking selection of an aberrant 3 splice site. Our data reveal a novel group of RNA processing targets potently repressed by RBMX, and help explain why RBMX is associated with gene expression networks in cancer, replication and sensitivity to genotoxic drugs.