RNA splicing: Novel star in pulmonary diseases with a treatment perspective.
10.1016/j.apsb.2025.03.023
- Author:
Zhihui NIU
1
;
Bingqian XU
1
;
Wei LI
1
;
Jian SUN
1
;
Haihai LIANG
1
Author Information
1. State Key Laboratory of Frigid Zone Cardiovascular Diseases (SKLFZCD), Department of Pharmacology (State Key Labratoray-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150081, China.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Analysis method;
Biomarkers;
Lung diseases;
RNA splicing;
RNA-binding proteins;
Splicing factor;
Splicing variants;
Therapeutic targets
- From:
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B
2025;15(5):2301-2322
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Alternative splicing (AS) serves as a fundamental regulatory mechanism in gene expression, contributing to proteomic diversity by generating an array of mRNA isoforms from precursor mRNA via distinct splice site combinations. In light of the limited therapeutic options currently available, the exploration of AS as a target for drug development is of paramount importance. This review offers an exhaustive analysis of the biological functions and underlying molecular mechanisms associated with various AS-induced splice variants, RNA-binding proteins, and cis-elements, highlighting their significance as clinical biomarkers. We place particular emphasis on the current therapeutic applications of AS in an array of lung diseases, including but not limited to lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, silicosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The review delves into the role of AS events in the diagnosis and treatment of lung diseases, focusing on the regulatory influence of splicing factors and RNA-binding proteins, while also enumerating the mutated components implicated in AS misregulation. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of the intricate mechanisms governing these splicing events could potentially offer novel avenues for the development of splicing-targeted therapeutics and diagnostic tools for the prevention and treatment of lung diseases.
