Characterization of cyclin L1 and L2 interactions with CDK11 and splicing factors: Influence of cyclin l isoforms on splice site selection

Although it has been reported that cyclin L1α and L2α proteins interact with CDK11p110, the nature of the cyclin L transcripts, the formation of complexes between the five cyclin L and the three CDK11 protein isoforms, and the influence of these complexes on splicing have not been thoroughly investigated. Here we report that cyclin L1 and L2 genes generate 14 mRNA variants encoding six cyclin L proteins, one of which has not been described previously. Using cyclin L gene-specific antibodies, we demonstrate expression of multiple endogenous cyclin L proteins in human cell lines and mouse tissues. Moreover, we characterize interactions between CDK11^p110, mitosis-specific CDK11^p58, and apoptosis-specific CDK11^p46 with both cyclin Lα and -β proteins and the co-elution of these proteins following size exclusion chromatography. We further establish that CDK11^p110 and associated cyclin Lα/β proteins localize to splicing factor compartments and nucleoplasm and interact with serine/arginine-rich proteins. Importantly, we also determine the effect of CDK11-cyclin L complexes on pre-mRNA splicing. Preincubation of nuclear extracts with purified cyclin Lα and -β isoforms depletes the extract of in vitro splicing activity. Ectopic expression of cyclin L1α, L1β, L2α, or L2β or active CDK11^p110 individually enhances intracellular intron splicing activity, whereas expression of CDK11 ^p58/p46 or kinase-dead CDK11^p110 represses splicing activity. Finally, we demonstrate that expression of cyclins Lα and -β and CDK11^p110 strongly and differentially affects alternative splicing in vivo. Together, these data establish that CDK11^p110 interacts physically and functionally with cyclin Lα and -β isoforms and SR proteins to regulate splicing.