RNA splicing and genes.

Abstract

The splicing of long transcripts of RNA (copied from DNA in the cell nucleus) into smaller, specific mRNA (ready for export to the protein-producing machinery in the cytoplasm) is an important event in the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotic cells. The splicing reaction occurs as a late step in the nuclear pathway for synthesis of mRNAs. This pathway commences with initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II and probably involves an integrated series of steps each dependent on previous events. Splicing of precursors to mRNAs involves the formation of a spliceosome complex containing the 5' and 3' splice sites. This complex contains the evolutionarily highly conserved small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) U2, U4, U5, and U6. The most abundant snRNA, U1, is required to form the spliceosome and may be a part of the spliceosome. Analogues of these snRNAs have been identified in yeast. Assembly of the spliceosome probably involves the binding of a multi-snRNA complex containing U4, U5, and U6 snRNAs. Several observations suggest that the association of snRNAs in such complexes is quite dynamic. It is argued that the snRNAs in the spliceosome form a catalytic RNA structure that is responsible for the cleavage and ligation steps during splicing.