Concept 24: The RNA message is sometimes edited.

RNA splicing removes non-coding introns and splices together exons.

Dogma and logic dictated that the mRNA code is a faithful representation of the DNA from which it is transcribed. This exact correspondence between mRNA sequence and DNA sequence was generally upheld in experiments with bacterial cells (prokaryotes).However, inconsistencies surfaced as recombinant-DNA techniques allowed researchers to explore the genes of higher cells (eukaryotes). Then, it was found that mRNA transcripts appeared to be shorter than their corresponding genes. This difference became obvious in electron micrographs of mRNA bound to its complementary DNA template — where regions of DNA without corresponding mRNA form loops. In fact, the protein coding information in genes is interrupted by non-coding sequences called introns, which results in "split genes." The entire DNA code is faithfully transcribed into a temporary form of RNA (pre-mRNA), but this is edited in the nucleus to yield a mature mRNA. The process of RNA splicing involves removing non-coding regions, introns, and splicing together adjacent coding regions, exons.

recombinant dna techniques, electron micrographs, split genes, rna splicing, exact correspondence, dna template, complementary dna, dna code, dna sequence, bacterial cells, introns, mrna, inconsistencies, dogma, nucleus, sequences, transcripts

  • ID: 16528
  • Source: DNALC.DNAFTB

Related Content

16937. An Explanation of RNA Splicing

Dr. Sharp explains the process of RNA splicing.

  • ID: 16937
  • Source: DNALC.SMA

16492. Problem 21: RNA is an intermediary between DNA and protein.

What happens in protein synthesis?

  • ID: 16492
  • Source: DNALC.DNAFTB

16932. Flow of Information from DNA to RNA to Protein

Dr. Roberts describes the flow of information from DNA to RNA to protein.

  • ID: 16932
  • Source: DNALC.SMA

16933. 3D Animation of DNA to RNA to Protein

An animation shows how the DNA genetic "code" is made into protein.

  • ID: 16933
  • Source: DNALC.SMA

16529. Animation 24: The RNA message is sometimes edited.

Rich Roberts and Phil Sharp explain restriction enzymes, electrophoresis, and split genes.

  • ID: 16529
  • Source: DNALC.DNAFTB

16938. 3D Animation of RNA Splicing

An animation of the crucial RNA editing step called splicing.

  • ID: 16938
  • Source: DNALC.SMA

16941. 2D Animation of Alternative RNA Splicing

An animation shows alternate splicing of the SMN2 gene.

  • ID: 16941
  • Source: DNALC.SMA

16936. An Introduction to RNA Splicing

Dr. Roberts describes RNA splicing.

  • ID: 16936
  • Source: DNALC.SMA

16939. RNA Splicing

A step-by-step 2D animation shows the details of RNA splicing.

  • ID: 16939
  • Source: DNALC.SMA

15480. Transcription: DNA to RNA, 3D animation with sound effects only

Transcription factors bind to DNA, RNA polymerase begins transcribing messanger RNA (mRNA) molecule from DNA.

  • ID: 15480
  • Source: DNAi