The role of RNA structure in 3' end processing in eukaryotes
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Updated: Jun 11, 2025

Analysis of RNA Processing Reactions Using Cell Free Systems: 3' End Cleavage of Pre-mRNA Substrates in vitro
Published on: May 3, 2014
Jin Xu1, Susan Duncan1, Yiliang Ding1
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Maturation of pre-mRNA into fully functional mRNA involves a series of highly coordinated steps that are essential for eukaryotic gene expression. RNA structure has been found to play regulatory roles in many of these steps, including cleavage, polyadenylation, and termination. Recent advances in structure probing techniques have been instrumental in revealing how nascent transcript conformation contributes to these dynamic, co-transcriptional processes. In this review, we present examples where RNA structure affects accessibility and/or function of key processing enzymes, thereby influencing the efficiency and precision of 3' end processing machinery. We also discuss emerging technologies that could further enhance our understanding of RNA structure mediated regulation of 3' end processing.
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