RNA processing primarily removes introns from a pre-mRNA molecule.
RNA Splicing: Removing Introns
RNA processing is a crucial step in gene expression, and a key part of this is RNA splicing. This process specifically targets and removes non-coding sequences called introns. The following table summarizes this process:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Pre-mRNA | The initial RNA molecule transcribed from DNA, containing both exons and introns. |
| Introns | Intervening sequences within the pre-mRNA that are removed during splicing. They do not code for protein. |
| Exons | Coding sequences that remain after splicing and are connected to form the mature mRNA. These code for the protein. |
| RNA Splicing | The process of removing introns and connecting exons. |
How RNA Splicing Works
- The splicing process involves specialized molecular machinery called spliceosomes.
- Spliceosomes recognize specific sequences at the intron-exon boundaries.
- They then cut the pre-mRNA at these boundaries and remove the intron.
- Finally, the spliceosome joins the remaining exons, creating a continuous coding sequence.
The result of splicing is a mature mRNA molecule, ready for translation into a protein. This mature mRNA now only contains exons, which are the coding regions necessary to produce a protein.
