POST TRANSCRIPTIONAL

MODIFICATIONS AND RNA

PROCESSING
Primary Transcript
Primary Transcript-the initial molecule

of RNA produced--- hnRNA

heterogenous nuclear RNA
In prokaryotes, DNA RNA protein in

cytoplasm concurrently
In eukaryotes nuclear RNA >> Cp RNA
t RNA and r RNA
MODIFICATIONS
Terminated by a 5 monophosphate

Much smaller than primary transcripts

Unusual bases will be eleminated

All these processes collectively called post

transcriptional modifications
bacteria
vertebrates
Ribozyme
 tRNA molecules are transcribed as longer precursor

molecules which are cleaved and chemically

modified.
RNase P processes all tRNA 5'-termini and has a catalytically

active RNA moiety. (RNase D processes 3'-ends. )

CCA addition occurs at 3'-end of all tRNAs.

Bases and ribose are chemically modified.

Many unusual bases are found in tRNA.

tRNA maturation in some eucaryotes can require 5'-leader

sequence cleavage, intron removal (splicing), replacement

of 3'-UU with 3'-CCA, RNA editing, and several base
modifications.
m RNA modifications:
Pre mRNA of eukaryotes is called as hn RNA( hetero

nuclear RNA)
It is long, immature and non functional

Contain coding and non coding regions

Once the modifications occur, mature m RNA will be
formed
They will leave nucleus
Prokaryotic m RNA does not undergo modifications
Types of RNA processing
A) Cutting and trimming to generate ends:
rRNA, tRNA and mRNA

B) Covalent modification:
Add a cap and a polyA tail to mRNA
Add a methyl group to 2-OH of ribose in mRNA
and rRNA
Extensive changes of bases in tRNA

C) Splicing
pre-rRNA, pre-mRNA, pre-tRNA by different
mechanisms.
O verview ofthe processing ofa
eukaryotic m RN A
CAPPING and TAILING
Cap provides:

1. Protection from

some ribonucleases

2. Enhances translation

3. Enhances transport

from nucleus

4. Enhances splicing of first

intron for some mRNAs

 7-methylguanosine-containing cap is added to the 5

end and 250 nucleotide polyadenylic acid [poly(A)] tail

is added to the 3 end.

POLIADENYLATION
SPLICIN
G
Removal of introns ( cleavage of phospho diester bonds)

Done by ribonucleases

RNA ligase will join exons (phospho diester bonding )

Splicing done with the help of spliceosome lariat

mechanism
Spliceosome is a multicomponent ribonucleoprotein

complex
They medidate the splicing

It is also responsible for folding of pre RNA for splicing