   Female-specific splicing of Drosophila doublesex (dsx) pre-
mRNA is regulated by the products of the transformer (tra) and
transformer 2 (tra2) genes. In this paper we show that Tra and
Tra2 act by recruiting general splicing factors to a regulatory
element located downstream of a female-specific 3' splice site.
Remarkably, Tra, Tra2, and members of the serine/arginine-rich
(SR) family of general splicing factors are sufficient to commit
dsx pre-mRNA to female-specific splicing, and individual SR
proteins differ significantly in their ability to participate in
commitment complex formation. Characterization of the proteins
associated with affinity-purified complex formed on dsx pre-mRNA
reveals the presence of Tra, Tra2, SR proteins, and additional
unidentified components. We conclude that Tra, Tra2, and SR
proteins are essential components of a splicing enhancer
complex.[1]   WikiGenes - Universities