Spliceosomal Proteins Encoded by Fungal Genomes

A large number of spliceosomal proteins are required for proper RNA splicing. While spliceosomal proteins from several model organisms have been analysed, only limited studies are available for fungal species. Hence, we have performed a comparative genomic analysis using eight fungal species belonging to three taxa (Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes and Glomeromycota). We identified variable number of spliceosomal proteins in fungal species. From the small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), all the snRNPs were identified. In non-snRNPs, only some sub-groups were found extensively conserved in all fungal species, including PRP19 complex proteins, catalytic step II and late-acting proteins. In heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs), variable number of proteins was identified. The number of spliceosomal proteins identified in filamentous fungi was higher than that in yeast. The collection of these spliceosomal proteins provides further insight into pre-mRNA splicing in fungi.