Mature transcript

Definition

A mature transcript is an RNA molecule that has been fully processed and is ready for translation. This includes the removal of introns, addition of a 5' cap, and polyadenylation at the 3' end.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mature transcripts are created from precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) through a process called RNA splicing.
2. The 5' cap added to the mature transcript aids in ribosome binding during translation.
3. Polyadenylation involves adding a poly(A) tail at the 3' end, which protects the RNA from degradation.
4. Introns are non-coding regions that are removed during the processing of pre-mRNA into a mature transcript.
5. Alternative splicing can result in multiple mature transcripts from a single gene, contributing to protein diversity.

Related terms

Precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA): The initial RNA transcript that contains both introns and exons before processing.

RNA Splicing:

The process where introns are removed and exons are joined together to form a mature RNA transcript.

Polyadenylation:

The addition of a poly(A) tail to the 3' end of an RNA molecule, enhancing its stability and export from the nucleus.