Post-transcriptional regulation is an important layer for gene expression regulation.

Most of human multi-exon genes produce multiple mRNA isoforms through alternative pre-mRNA processing and hence multiple structurally and functionally distinct protein isoforms in cell-type-specific manners.

Alternative pre-mRNA processing can be classified according to seven basic elements involved in such events: cassette exons, which are included in certain mRNA isoforms and skipped in others; mutually exclusive exons; alternative 5' splice sites; alternative 3' splice sites; intron retention; alternative promoters; and alternative poly(A) sites.

We are trying to decipher so-called “cellular codes” that determine the cell-type specific pre-mRNA processing patterns and to elucidate molecular basis for pathogenesis of genetic diseases caused by defects in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression.