Alternative Splicing: One Gene, Many Proteins
Definition
Alternative splicing
Alternative splicing is a process that enables a single gene to produce multiple protein variants.
- During transcription, a primary RNA transcript is created, containing both exons (coding regions) and introns (non-coding regions).
- Before translation, introns are removed and exons are spliced together to form mature mRNA.
- In alternative splicing, different combinations of exons are joined, creating multiple versions of mature mRNA from the same primary transcript.
- Each mRNA variant is translated into a different polypeptide (protein variant).
This is like swapping ingredients or changing steps, to produce multiple dishes from a single recipe.
How Alternative Splicing Works
- Primary transcript formation: Transcription produces a primary RNA transcript containing both exons and introns.
- Intron removal: Introns are removed by a complex called the spliceosome.
- Exon selection: The spliceosome joins selected exons in different combinations.
