Splicing describes the removal of introns from pre-mRNAs to form mRNAs and is carried out by a large complex, the spliceosome. This processing can have a profound effect on the regulation and number of gene products encoded by the genome. In addition, mutations in key components of the splicing machinery, as well as dysfunction of alternative splicing regulators, have been associated with disease. This focus compiles recent papers that have elucidated the organization, structure and regulation of spliceosomal components, thus shedding light on the mechanistic heart of splicing, whereas the broader Nature Research library highlights recent insights into splicing and the regulation and impact of alternative splicing.

As part of the NSMB Focus on Splicing, we present Splice Talk, interviews with Reinhard Lührmann, Andrew MacMillan and Christine Guthrie about their recent research and splicing more generally.

The interview with Reinhard Lührmann can be found at 0 min, Andrew MacMillan at minute 11:40 and Christine Guthrie at minute 17:48 of the podcast.

Follow links to figure and movie accompanying the Luhrmann interview, and a 3D view of PDB 3ENB for the MacMillan interview.