RNA Splicing & RNA Interference L4 pART 2

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary related to RNA processing and interference, summarizing significant concepts and definitions found in the lecture notes.

RNA Splicing

The process of removing introns from pre-mRNA and connecting exons to produce a mature mRNA.

Introns

Noncoding sequences in a protein-coding gene that are interrupted by coding sequences (exons) and removed during RNA splicing.

Exons

Coding sequences in a gene that remain in the mature mRNA after splicing.

5’ Capping

The addition of a modified guanine nucleotide to the 5’ end of mRNA, which protects it from degradation and aids in translation.

Poly-A Tail

A stretch of adenine nucleotides added to the 3’ end of mRNA, enhancing mRNA stability and facilitating transport from the nucleus.

mRNA Transport

The process by which mature mRNA is exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm for translation.

Alternative Splicing

The process by which different combinations of exons are joined together to produce different mRNAs from the same gene.

RNA Interference (RNAi)

A biological process in which small RNA molecules regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs for degradation or inhibiting their translation.

MicroRNAs (miRNA)

Small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by binding to target mRNAs and promoting their degradation or inhibiting translation.

Small Interfering RNA (siRNA)

Short double-stranded RNA molecules derived from longer double-stranded RNA that guide the cleavage of complementary mRNAs.

snRNPs

Small nuclear ribonucleoproteins that play a critical role in RNA splicing by recognizing splice sites and catalyzing the excision of introns.

Cap-binding protein

A protein that associates with the 5’ cap of mRNA and is involved in translation initiation.

RISC-complex

RNA-induced silencing complex that incorporates miRNA or siRNA and mediates the degradation of target mRNAs.

Dicer

An endonuclease enzyme that processes double-stranded RNA into short interfering RNA (siRNA) during RNA interference.

Polymerase II

An enzyme that synthesizes mRNA from DNA during transcription in eukaryotic cells.

Translation

The process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins based on the sequence of mRNA.