Post-Transcriptional Gene Control

Spliceosome

Large complex that removes introns and joins exons in pre-mRNA

Transesterification reactions

Reactions forming lariat structures by joining exons and removing introns

SR proteins

Proteins forming a complex to recognize exons during splicing

snRNPs

Small nuclear ribonucleoproteins involved in pre-mRNA splicing

5' cap

Methylated guanosine added to the 5' end of mRNAs

hnRNP Proteins

Proteins preventing the formation of secondary structures on pre-mRNAs

RNA Recognition Motif (RRM)

Common RNA-binding domain found in hnRNP proteins

Exonic enhancer sequences (ESEs)

Sequences within exons interacting with SR proteins during splicing

Alternative splicing

Process generating different mRNAs from the same gene

Dscam Gene

Gene producing an extensive number of alternative isoforms

Leukemia

Cancer resulting from splicing mutations

Exosome

Complex involved in degrading RNAs from the 3' to 5' end

RNA editing

Alteration of pre-mRNA sequences, more common in protozoans and plants

messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) exporter

Facilitates directional export of mRNPs across the Nuclear Pore Complex

Exon-junction complexes

Associated with mRNP exporter and SR proteins, involved in mRNA export

Nuclear Export

Process ensuring only mature mRNAs reach the cytoplasm

Poly(A) tail length

Regulates the stability of most mRNAs

Micro RNAs (miRNAs)

Repress translation and induce degradation of specific mRNAs

Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)

Cause cleavage and degradation of target mRNAs by hybridizing perfectly with them

Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation

Promotes translation of some mRNAs initially produced with short poly(A) tails

Iron-response element-binding protein (IRE-BP)

Regulates mRNA translation and degradation to control intracellular iron concentration

Neuronal mRNA Localization

Essential for learning and memory, involves 3' UTR localization signals