RNA Processing
Split Genes and RNA Splicing: Dr. Moore explains that eukaryotic pre-mRNA contains long stretches of non-protein coding sequences interspersed with protein coding regions. By recognizing specific sequences, cellular machinery splices out the non-coding introns leaving just the protein-coding exons in mRNA.
Although at first glance this may seem like a wasteful process, it is splicing that facilitates the evolution of new genes, and alternative splicing that allows a limited number of genes to produce a large number of proteins.
Spliceosome Structure and Dynamics: Moore goes on to describe the cellular splicing machine, the spliceosome, in greater detail. She lists the components of the spliceosome and where each works in the spliceosome cycle. Moore also explains how the innovative use of fluorescent protein tags and total internal reflection microscopy
has allowed her and her colleagues to better understand the ordered assembly and function of the complex splicing machine.
Melissa Moore is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, and co-director of the RNA Therapeutics Institute at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
(from ibiology.org)
1. Split Genes and RNA Splicing
Dr. Moore explains that eukaryotic pre-mRNA contains long stretches of non-protein coding sequences interspersed with protein coding regions.
2. Spliceosome Structure and Dynamics
Moore goes on to describe the cellular splicing machine, the spliceosome, in greater detail.
| Related Links |
| RNA Structure, Function and Recognition Anna Marie Pyle explains that many RNA molecules have elaborate structures that are essential for their functions. |
| Protein Synthesis Green provides a detailed look at protein synthesis, or translation. Translation is the process by which nucleotides, the "language" of DNA and RNA, are translated into amino acids, the "language" of proteins. |
| microRNAs MicroRNAs are ~22 nucleotide RNAs processed from RNA hairpin structures. MicroRNAs are much too short to code for protein and instead play important roles in regulating gene expression. |
| The Molecular Biology of Gene Regulation Robert Tjian gives an overview of the complex and critical role that transcription factors play in regulating gene expression. |