SRPK1 inhibition in vivo: modulation of VEGF splicing and potential treatment for multiple diseases

Biochem Soc Trans. 2012 Aug;40(4):831-5. doi: 10.1042/BST20120051.

Abstract

SRPK1 (serine-arginine protein kinase 1) is a protein kinase that specifically phosphorylates proteins containing serine-arginine-rich domains. Its substrates include a family of SR proteins that are key regulators of mRNA AS (alternative splicing). VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), a principal angiogenesis factor contains an alternative 3' splice site in the terminal exon that defines a family of isoforms with a different amino acid sequence at the C-terminal end, resulting in anti-angiogenic activity in the context of VEGF165-driven neovascularization. It has been shown recently in our laboratories that SRPK1 regulates the choice of this splice site through phosphorylation of the splicing factor SRSF1 (serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1). The present review summarizes progress that has been made to understand how SRPK1 inhibition may be used to manipulate the balance of pro- and anti-angiogenic VEGF isoforms in animal models in vivo and therefore control abnormal angiogenesis and other pathophysiological processes in multiple disease states.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / genetics
  • Animals
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / genetics
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Macular Degeneration / genetics
  • Macular Degeneration / metabolism
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics*

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Srpk1 protein, mouse
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases