ABSTRACT
Gliomas constitute the most common type of primary brain tumor. Alternative pre-mRNA splicing may play roles in the carcinogenesis, cell growth and invasion in various types of gliomas. Factors regulating the alternative spicing in gliomas include cis-regulatory element (for example, ESE, ISS and ESS) and trans-regulatory factors (such as SRp55, SC35, SF2/ASF and PTB). Recent progresses demonstrate that many genes associated with gliomas, including those encoding tumor suppressors or promoters, enzymes, receptors and ion channels are subject to regulation by alternative pre-mRNA splicing. Therefore, studying the alternative pre-mRNA splicing in gliomas will be of benefit to understanding the molecular basis of gliomas and identifying new targets potentially useful for early diagnose as well as therapy of gliomas.