How Does Alternative Splicing Contribute to Cancer?
In the context of cancer, alternative splicing is often dysregulated, leading to the production of aberrant protein isoforms that can promote tumorigenesis. These changes in splicing patterns can affect various cellular pathways, including those involved in cell cycle control, apoptosis, and metastasis. For instance, the splicing factor SF3B1 is frequently mutated in several cancers, resulting in abnormal splicing events that contribute to cancer progression.
