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Related Concept Videos

pre-mRNA Processing02:01

pre-mRNA Processing

57.6K
In eukaryotic cells, transcripts made by RNA polymerase are modified and processed before exiting the nucleus. Unprocessed RNA is called precursor mRNA or pre-mRNA to distinguish it from mature mRNA.
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a “cap” to the 5’ end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5’ phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached to it (7-Methyl...
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Nuclear Export of mRNA02:31

Nuclear Export of mRNA

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Before mRNAs are exported to the cytoplasm, it is crucial to check each mRNA for structural and functional integrity. Eukaryotic cells use several different mechanisms, collectively known as mRNA surveillance, to look for irregularities in mRNAs. Irregular or aberrant mRNA are rapidly degraded by various enzymes. If a defective mRNA escapes the surveillance, it would be translated into a protein which would either be non-functional or not function properly. One of the primary irregularities in...
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Nuclear Export of mRNA02:31

Nuclear Export of mRNA

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mRNA Stability and Gene Expression02:51

mRNA Stability and Gene Expression

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The structure and stability of mRNA molecules regulates gene expression, as mRNAs are a key step in the pathway from gene to protein. In eukaryotes, the half-life of mRNA varies from a few minutes up to several days. mRNA stability is essential in growth and development. The absence of the proteins regulating its stability, such as tristetraprolin in mice, can cause systemic issues, including bone marrow overgrowth, inflammation, and autoimmunity.
Cis-acting Elements involved in mRNA stability
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Regulated mRNA Transport02:22

Regulated mRNA Transport

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In eukaryotes, transcription and translation are compartmentalized; an mRNA is first synthesized in the nucleus and then selectively transported to the cytoplasm for protein synthesis. Before transport, a pre-mRNA undergoes several steps of post-transcriptional modifications including splicing, 5' capping, and the addition of a poly-adenine tail. Various proteins bind to the pre-mRNA during these modifications. The mRNA transport takes place with the help of multiple proteins playing...
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Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing02:41

Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing

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In eukaryotic cells, nascent mRNA transcripts need to undergo many post-transcriptional modifications to reach the cell cytoplasm and translate into functional proteins. For a long time, transcription and pre-mRNA processing were considered two independent events that occur sequentially in the cell. However, it has now been well established that transcription and pre-mRNA processing are two simultaneous processes that are precisely regulated inside the cell.
The chromatin structure, especially...
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In vitro Transcription and Capping of Gaussia Luciferase mRNA Followed by HeLa Cell Transfection
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In vitro Transcription and Capping of Gaussia Luciferase mRNA Followed by HeLa Cell Transfection

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Synthetic mRNA capping.

Fabian Muttach1, Nils Muthmann1, Andrea Rentmeister1,2

  • 1University of Münster, Department of Chemistry, Institute of Biochemistry, Wilhelm-Klemm-Str. 2, 48149 Münster, Germany.

Beilstein Journal of Organic Chemistry
|July 19, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Reliable preparation of 5'-capped RNAs is crucial for eukaryotic mRNA studies. This review covers chemical and enzymatic methods, guiding the choice for specific RNA lengths and exploring novel non-natural caps.

Keywords:
RNAcap analoguecap synthesisclick chemistryenzymatic cappingmethyltransferase

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) stability and function are critically dependent on its 5 -cap structure.
  • Accurate preparation and modification of 5 -capped RNAs are essential for numerous molecular biology applications.
  • Understanding mRNA capping is vital for research in gene expression and protein synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and compare state-of-the-art methods for preparing 5 -capped RNAs.
  • To provide guidance on selecting appropriate chemical or enzymatic approaches based on RNA length and experimental needs.
  • To explore the synthesis and characteristics of mRNAs featuring non-natural cap structures.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on chemical and enzymatic RNA capping techniques.
  • Comparative analysis of different preparation strategies for various RNA lengths.
  • Discussion of methods for synthesizing and characterizing non-naturally capped mRNAs.

Main Results:

  • Both chemical and enzymatic methods, or their combination, offer viable routes for 5 -capped RNA preparation.
  • The optimal method depends on the desired length of the capped RNA molecule.
  • Non-natural caps can be synthesized, offering potential for enhanced mRNA stability and translation.

Conclusions:

  • Selection of the appropriate 5 -capped RNA preparation method is key for successful mRNA research.
  • Novel non-natural cap structures present exciting opportunities for engineering mRNA with improved properties.
  • This review provides a framework for researchers to choose and implement effective RNA capping strategies.