Lessons from non-canonical splicing

Recent improvements in experimental and computational techniques that are used to study the transcriptome have enabled an unprecedented view of RNA processing, revealing many previously unknown non-canonical splicing events. This includes cryptic events located far from the currently annotated exons and unconventional splicing mechanisms that have important roles in regulating gene expression. These non-canonical splicing events are a major source of newly emerging transcripts during evolution, especially when they involve sequences derived from transposable elements. They are therefore under precise regulation and quality control, which minimizes their potential to disrupt gene expression. We explain how non-canonical splicing can lead to aberrant transcripts that cause many diseases, and also how it can be exploited for new therapeutic strategies

Strain control spin reorientation transition in DyFeO(3)/SrTiO(3) epitaxial film

We grew single phase DyFeO3 (110) epitaxial films on SrTiO3(001) substrates in the layer-by-layer mode using the pulsed laser deposition. The Fe L-2,L-3-edge x-ray magnetic linear dichroism and magnetic hysteresis confirm that the film shows the spin-canted antiferromagnetism at room temperature and undergoes the spin reorientation transition (SRT) upon cooling as the bulk. The SRT temperature is significantly reduced in the thin films due to the compressive strain and becomes below 5 K for the thickness less than or similar to 50 angstrom. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3623756]X1145sciescopu