Transforming growth factor‐β regulates the splicing pattern of fibronectin messenger RNA precursor

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Abstract
Fibronectin (FN) polymorphism is caused by alternative splicing patterns in at least three regions (ED‐A, ED‐B and IIICS) of the primary transcript of a single gene. Using monoclonal antibodies, we previously demonstrated that transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) preferentially increases the accumulation of the FN isoforms containing the ED‐A sequence in cultured normal human fibroblasts [Balza et al., (1988) FEBS Lett. 228, 42‐44]. To determine the basis of this effect, we have examined through S1 nuclease analysis, the levels of ED‐A‐ and ED‐B‐containing mRNAs in cultured normal human skin flbroblasts before and after TGF‐β treatment. These experiments have shown that TGF‐β increases the relative amount of m‐RNA for ED‐A‐ and ED‐B‐containing FN isoforms. These data demonstrate that a growth factor may regulate the splicing pattern of a pre‐mRNA.