DARPP-32 binds to tra2-beta1 and influences alternative splicing

The majority of human genes undergo alternative splicing, which is frequently altered in response to physiological stimuli. DARPP-32 (dopamine and cAMP regulated phosphoprotein, 32 kDa) is a component of PKA-dependent signaling pathways. Here we show that DARPP-32 binds directly to the splicing factor tra2-beta1 (transformer 2). DARPP-32 changes the usage of tra2-beta1 dependent alternative exons in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that the DARPP-32:tra2-beta1 interaction is a molecular link between signaling pathways and pre-mRNA processing.