Present an overview of various forms of posttranscriptional RNA processing in eukaryotes. For each, provide an example.

Key Concepts

Posttranscriptional RNA Processing

Posttranscriptional RNA processing refers to the modifications that RNA undergoes after transcription but before translation in eukaryotic cells. This includes several key processes that enhance the stability and functionality of RNA molecules, ensuring that they are properly prepared for protein synthesis.

Capping and Polyadenylation

Capping involves the addition of a 7-methylguanylate cap to the 5' end of the RNA transcript, which protects the RNA from degradation and assists in ribosome binding during translation. Polyadenylation adds a poly(A) tail to the 3' end, which also stabilizes the RNA and facilitates its export from the nucleus.

Splicing

Splicing is the process by which introns, or non-coding regions, are removed from the pre-mRNA transcript, and exons, or coding regions, are joined together. This process is crucial for generating mature mRNA that accurately reflects the coding sequence of the gene, allowing for the correct synthesis of proteins.