Biochemistry CHE442 - RNA Synthesis & Processing

These flashcards cover vocabulary related to RNA synthesis and processing in biochemistry, focusing on key terms and their definitions.

RNA (Ribonucleic acid)

An unbranched, polymeric single-stranded molecule smaller than DNA that serves as a template for protein synthesis.

RNA polymerase (RNAP)

An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template in a 5’ to 3’ direction.

Promoter

A DNA sequence that signals the start of transcription and where RNA polymerase binds to initiate RNA synthesis.

Intron

A non-coding sequence in RNA that is removed during RNA splicing.

Exon

A coding sequence in RNA that remains in the final mature RNA after splicing.

Transcription termination

The process by which RNA polymerase ceases RNA synthesis upon reaching a termination signal.

Spliceosome

A complex of proteins and RNA that facilitates the splicing of introns from pre-mRNA.

Capping

The addition of a modified guanosine (7-methylguanylate) to the 5’ end of eukaryotic mRNA for stability and regulation.

Poly-A tail

A string of adenine nucleotides added to the 3’ end of eukaryotic mRNA, aiding in mRNA stability and export from the nucleus.

Transcription factors (TF)

Proteins that help regulate the process of transcription by assisting in the binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter.