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RNA Splicing

RNA Splicing

Splicing is the process by which eukaryotic RNA is edited before its translation into protein. The RNA strand transcribed from eukaryotic DNA is called the primary transcript. The primary transcripts that become mRNAs are called precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). Eukaryotic pre-mRNA contains alternating sequences of exons and introns. Exons are nucleotide sequences that code for proteins, whereas introns are the non-coding regions. In RNA splicing, introns are removed and exons are bonded...

RNA Splicing

RNA Splicing

Alternative RNA Splicing

Alternative RNA Splicing

Alternative RNA splicing is the regulated splicing of exons and introns to produce different mature mRNAs from a single pre-mRNA. Unlike in constitutive splicing where a single gene produces a single type of mRNA, alternative splicing allows an organism to produce multiple proteins from a single gene and plays an important role in protein diversity.
There are five types of alternative RNA splicing that vary in the ways the pre-mRNA segments are removed or retained in the mature mRNA. The first...

Alternative RNA Splicing

Alternative RNA Splicing

Pre-mRNA Processing: RNA Splicing

Pre-mRNA Processing: RNA Splicing

Pre-mRNA Processing

Pre-mRNA Processing

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 5, 2026

A Reporter Based Cellular Assay for Monitoring Splicing Efficiency

A Reporter Based Cellular Assay for Monitoring Splicing Efficiency

Published on: September 15, 2021

Structural basis of pre-mRNA splicing.

Jing Hang¹, Ruixue Wan¹, Chuangye Yan¹

¹Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Protein Science, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Center for Structural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|August 22, 2015

Summary

The spliceosome, a complex molecular machine, uses RNA and proteins to precisely splice precursor messenger RNA. Cryo-EM reveals how U5, U6, and U2 RNAs form the catalytic core, guided by proteins for efficient gene expression.

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Last Updated: Apr 5, 2026

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Published on: September 15, 2021

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ACT1-CUP1 Assays Determine the Substrate-Specific Sensitivities of Spliceosomal Mutants in Budding Yeast

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Published on: June 30, 2022

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Structural Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

The spliceosome is a large and dynamic molecular machine responsible for pre-mRNA splicing.
Understanding its structure is crucial for deciphering gene expression regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the structural organization of the yeast spliceosome using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM).
To reveal the roles of RNA and protein components in spliceosome catalysis.

Main Methods:

Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to determine high-resolution structures.
Structural analysis of RNA-RNA and RNA-protein interactions within the spliceosome.

Main Results:

U5 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) serves as a scaffold for U6 and U2 snRNAs, forming the catalytic center.
Magnesium ions are coordinated by conserved U6 snRNA nucleotides, essential for catalysis.
Intron lariat is positioned via base-pairing with U2 and U6 snRNAs.
Proteins anchor snRNA ends, direct RNA sequences, and provide flexibility for the catalytic reaction.

Conclusions:

The spliceosome functions as a protein-directed ribozyme.
Protein components are critical for assembling the catalytic RNA core and facilitating the splicing reaction.