What is RNA splicing?
- Before mRNA is used as instructions to make a protein, it can be cut into smaller sections and re-arranged in a process called splicing.
- Splicing occurs at the end of the transcription process, as part of pre-mRNA processing.
- During splicing, coding-regions of mRNA (exons) are kept and non-coding regions of mRNA (introns) are cut out and removed.
- mRNA Splicing is an important step in the transcription process, as without removing the introns the correct protein cannot be formed.
- mRNA Splicing is also part of the regulation of gene expression and protein levels in the cell.
An illustration showing the process of RNA splicing.
Image credit: Genome Research Limited
What is alternative splicing?
- The process of splicing can create different variations of the same mRNA by keeping different combinations of exons, this is called alternative splicing.
- Alternative splicing means that a single gene can code for more than one type of mRNA molecule, and therefore more than one protein. This is thought to be a ‘space saving’ mechanism, as multiple proteins can be created by a single stretch of DNA.
An illustration showing the key stages in alternative splicing, whereby multiple different protein products can be created from the same stretch of DNA and pre-mRNA.
Image credit: Genome Research Limited
Article written by Olivia Edwards, PhD Student at the Wellcome Sanger Institute
This page was last updated on 2022-02-21
What's the main reason for your rating?
SendWhich of these best describes your occupation?
Sendhow old are students / how old are you?
SendWhat is the first part of your school's postcode?
SendHow has the site influenced you (or others)?
SendThankyou, we value your feedback!
If you have any other comments or suggestions, please let us know at comment@yourgenome.org
Can you spare 5-8 minutes to tell us what you think of this website? Open survey