Post-transcriptional Gene Control: RNA Processing and Regulation

Practice flashcards covering the key concepts related to post-transcriptional gene control, RNA processing, and gene regulation.

Post-transcriptional gene control

Mechanisms that regulate gene expression following transcription, affecting RNA maturation and stability.

Primary transcripts

The initial RNA molecules synthesized from DNA, which include unprocessed forms of mRNAs, tRNAs, and rRNAs.

RNA splicing

The process of removing introns and joining exons in a pre-mRNA transcript to form a mature mRNA.

Heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA)

All types of RNA found in the nucleus that include pre-mRNA and RNA-processing intermediates.

snRNA (small nuclear RNA)

Small RNA molecules that play critical roles in the splicing of RNA.

siRNA (short interfering RNA)

Small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by interfering with mRNA.

miRNA (micro RNA)

Short RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by base-pairing with target mRNAs.

5' capping

The addition of a modified guanine nucleotide to the 5' end of a pre-mRNA, important for mRNA stability and translation.

Polyadenylation

The addition of a poly(A) tail to the 3' end of mRNA that protects it from degradation and assists in nuclear export.

Cytoplasmic polyadenylation

The process by which the poly(A) tail of an mRNA is extended in the cytoplasm, enhancing translation.

Alternative splicing

The process by which a single gene can produce multiple mRNA variants by including or excluding different exons.

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs)

Large protein complexes that regulate the transport of molecules between the nucleus and cytoplasm.

Exosomes

Multisubunit complexes that degrade RNA molecules that are improperly processed or unneeded.

R-looping

An early indicator of eukaryotic pre-mRNA splicing, where the RNA hybridizes back to the DNA template.

Spliceosome

A complex of snRNPs and proteins that facilitates the splicing of pre-mRNA.

REF (RNA export factor)

A protein that recognizes splicing sites and facilitates the export of mature mRNA from the nucleus.

IRE-BP (Iron Response Element-Binding Protein)

A protein that regulates translation and stability of mRNAs in response to cellular iron levels.

Nonsense-mediated decay (NMD)

A quality control mechanism that degrades mRNAs containing premature stop codons.

Transferrin receptor mRNA regulation

IRE-BP binding conditions which affect mRNA stability and translation based on intracellular iron levels.

snoRNAs (small nucleolar RNAs)

RNA molecules that guide chemical modifications of rRNA.

mTOR pathway

A signaling pathway that regulates cell growth and translation initiation based on nutrient availability.