RNA Modification

1. During RNA splicing, non-protein coding

regions of the RNA strand are removed
Eukaryotic genomes contain:
• exons = the real gene

• expressed / coding DNA

• introns = the “junk”
• does not code for proteins/ non-coding DNA
• In between sequence
intron = noncoding (in between) sequence
eukaryotic
DNA
exon = coding (expressed) sequence
 The introns are “spliced” out of the RNA and the
exons are joined together.

Splicing is done by DNA gene containing both intronic and exonic DNA

RNA splicing
enzymes:
Primary RNA transcript Transcription

• snRNPs
Small nuclear RNA
molecules
associated with Splicing
proteins
Assembled exonic RNA
• Spliceosome Intronic RNA
Complex formed of
several snRNPs that
recognize splice site
sequence
E proteins

x
o
n

I
n
t
r
o
n
spliceosome

E
x snRNA
o
n
 Fate of RNA
Pre - mRNA

Splicing
Assembled
exonic RNA

Mature mRNA
Intronic RNA

Translation

After being spliced from the

primary RNA transcript,
some of the intronic RNA
Proteins carry out structural, transport,
catalytic, and regulatory roles. is degraded and recycled
back to nucleotides. Some
Mature mRNA leaves the are used to control timing
nucleus and is translated of developmental
into proteins. processes.
 intron RNA is recycled
or used to regulate
gene expression
E proteins

x
o
n

I
n Exon RNA
moves to
t translation
r
o
n
spliceosome

E
x snRNA
o
n
 Alternative Splicing
• Alternative mRNAs produced from same gene
– different segments treated as exons
 2. During RNA processing, the RNA is
modified before leaving the nucleus.
• Need to protect mRNA from enzymes in cytoplasm that attack
mRNA.

• Protect the ends of the molecule by adding a

• 5 GTP cap at the beginning on the RNA;
• 3’ poly-A tail to the end of the RNA
– longer tail, mRNA lasts longer: produces more protein

t a il
l y-A A 3'
o
mRNA
3' p A A
A
A

p 0 A’s
' ca -25
5 50
P P
5' G P