We are also exploiting mutations in the gene for U1 70K, a protein component of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein. Like B52, U1 70K is highly conserved, and is known to participate in the early stages of splicing, when splice selection is accomplished. It is important to note that there is every indication that Drosophila will serve as an excellent and general model for pre-mRNA splicing in many multicellular animals. In addition, we are examining the effect of mutations in, or rearrangements of, splicing signals. Mount, S. M. 1997.
Genetic depletion reveals an essential role for an SR protein splicing factor in vertebrate cells.
Mount, S. M. 1996. An ATtACk on dogma. Guo, M. and S. M. Mount. Localization of sequences required for size-specific splicing of a small Drosophila intron in vitro. Mount, S. M., X. Peng and E. Meier.