Virtually all eukaryotic mRNA molecules are transcribed as inactive precursors that must be modified to become functional. mRNA processing machinery catalyze these reactions, which can be separated into three general categories; 5’ capping, 3’ polyadenylation, and splicing. Capping and polyadenylation protect the maturing RNA from degradation and also contain important signals that initiate a variety of functions including transportation of the mature mRNA out of the nucleus. Splicing is another important process in the transformation of pre-mRNA into mature mRNA. During splicing reactions, noncoding regions of DNA called introns are spliced out of the mRNA transcript leaving a string of exons that code for particular proteins. Alternative splicing, where exons of a gene are spliced together in different combinations to produce different proteins, is responsible for producing the vast diversity of proteins that is seen in eukaryotic cells. Once the pre-mRNA has been fully processed, it is transported into the cytoplasm and translated into the encoded protein.
Loading...
Loading...
Prerequisite skills needed:
DNA Polymerase
Transcription
Relevant book section: pages 1047-1055
By completing this simulation, you will:
Understand the steps involved in eukaryotic mRNA capping, splicing, and polyadenylation.
Identify the enzymes and other proteins involved in each step of eukaryotic mRNA processing, and the order in which they act.
Integrate the processing steps of a single mRNA as it is being transcribed.
CRISPR
InstructionsIn this simulation, Your job will be to learn how the eukaryotic mRNA is processed as it is transcribed. To start the simulation, please click on the polymerase.
Amino Acid (ex. ALA)
Anti-Codon (ex. GAA)
Top Strand RNA Guide (only 4 bases)
Bottom Strand RNA Guide (only 4 bases)
This is the wild type mouse. It is a black mouse and will remain black for the remainder of the experiment.
This is mouse whose genome you will be altering. You need to cut out a portion of it's genetic code. It will remain black no matter what you do. If you succeed at chopping out the appropriate gene, the mouse will have children with a 50% chance of being mottled.
Instructions Now that you have zoomed into the mRNA strand, please assemble the initiation complex. Drag and drop the appropriate molecules to the correct area to assemple the complex.
Congratulations Now that you have assembled the initiation complex, use the tRNA builder and the drag/drop menu to the left to elongate the amino acid chain. When appropriate, terminate the translation process and recycle the ribosome.
Congratulations You have successfully completed this activity!
NOTE: This is not the actual sequence of the BRCA-II gene, but rather just a random sequence created for this exercise.
Results:
Congratulations! You figured out the sequence based on the chromatogram. If you would like to try the exercise again with a new dna sequence, please click the button below.
Results:
Sorry, you selected the wrong nucleotides. If you would like to try the exercise again with a new dna sequence, please click the button below.
