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RNA Modification and Processing definitions

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  • 5' Cap
    A methylguanosine structure added to the RNA's start, protecting it from degradation and aiding in translation initiation.
  • Polyadenylation Tail
    A stretch of 150-200 adenine nucleotides at the RNA's end, enhancing stability and export from the nucleus.
  • Polyadenylation Signal
    A specific AAUAAA sequence in RNA that triggers the addition of the polyadenylation tail.
  • Spliceosome
    A complex of small nuclear RNAs and proteins responsible for removing introns from pre-mRNA.
  • Small Nuclear RNA
    RNA molecules, such as U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6, that combine with proteins to form the spliceosome.
  • SNRNP
    A small ribonuclear protein complex formed by small nuclear RNAs and proteins, essential for splicing.
  • Intron
    A non-coding segment within pre-mRNA that is removed during splicing.
  • Exon
    A coding segment of RNA that remains after splicing and is joined to form mature mRNA.
  • 5' Splice Site
    A GU nucleotide sequence marking the start of an intron, recognized during splicing.
  • 3' Splice Site
    An AG nucleotide sequence marking the end of an intron, essential for accurate splicing.
  • Branch Point
    A single adenine nucleotide, typically 18-40 bases upstream of the 3' splice site, crucial for lariat formation.
  • Lariat
    A looped structure formed by the excised intron during splicing, which is later degraded.
  • Alternative Splicing
    A process generating multiple mRNA variants from one gene by combining exons in different ways.
  • RNA Editing
    A post-transcriptional modification involving nucleotide substitution, insertion, or deletion in RNA.
  • Guide RNA
    A molecule that directs where RNA editing occurs by base-pairing with the target RNA sequence.