A screening method tuned for mRNA processing factors in human cells by evaluation of the luciferase reporter activity and the subcellular distribution of bulk poly(A)+ RNA.

Screening of mRNA export factors in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Drosophila melanogaster has identified a number of mRNA processing factors involved in multiple mRNA processing steps. However, only limited information is available on human cells. Here we established a screening system searching for mRNA processing factors in human cells by combining the luciferase reporter system and fluorescence in situ hybridization, which evaluates the nuclear/cytoplasmic distribution of bulk poly(A)+ RNA. This system makes it possible to search for the compounds affecting mRNA processing from the various resources.