TRA2A

TRA2A, or Transformer-2-alpha homolog, is a human gene that encodes a member of the Transformer-2 (Tra2) family of serine/arginine-rich (SR) RNA-binding proteins. TRA2A is an ortholog of the Drosophila transformer-2 splicing factor and is related to TRA2B; together they regulate alternative splicing of pre-mRNA.

Protein structure-wise, the TRA2A protein typically contains two RNA recognition motifs that mediate RNA binding and an arginine/serine-rich (RS) domain that participates in protein-protein interactions during spliceosome assembly.

Functionally, TRA2A binds to regulatory RNA elements, often exonic splicing enhancers, to modulate inclusion or skipping of alternatively spliced exons. It operates within the nucleus as part of the spliceosome machinery and interacts with other splicing factors to influence transcript isoform diversity.

Expression and significance, TRA2A is expressed in multiple tissues and is implicated in roles related to neural development and other differentiation processes. Its expression levels can influence the splicing patterns of numerous transcripts, contributing to tissue- and development-dependent splicing programs.

Clinical and research notes, changes in TRA2A expression or splicing activity have been investigated in studies of development and disease, including inquiries into how Tra2 family proteins shape the neuronal transcriptome and potential cancer-related splicing changes. Ongoing research aims to map TRA2A target transcripts and interaction networks to better understand its regulatory scope.