4. Post-Transcriptional & Post-Translational Tools

Alternative Splicing

A process where different combinations of exons (coding regions) from the same gene are stitched together to make different proteins.

mRNA Editing

The chemical modification of the mRNA sequence after it has been transcribed, changing the "code" before it reaches the ribosome.

Degradation of mRNA

The controlled breakdown of mRNA molecules; the faster they degrade, the less protein is made.

miRNA (microRNA)

Tiny, single-stranded RNA molecules that bind to mRNA to block translation or cause the mRNA to be chopped up.

siRNA (small interfering RNA)

Short pieces of double-stranded RNA used by the cell to target and destroy specific, matching mRNA sequences (often as a defense against viruses).