Poly-A tail
Poly-A tail
Poly-A tail (pronunciation: /ˈpɒli eɪ teɪl/) is a crucial component of most eukaryotic mRNA molecules.
Etymology
The term "Poly-A tail" is derived from the fact that it is a stretch of adenine nucleotides, represented by the letter "A" in the genetic code, that is added to the 3' end of the mRNA molecule during post-transcriptional modification.
Definition
The Poly-A tail is a string of adenine nucleotides that is added to the 3' end of a pre-mRNA molecule during post-transcriptional modifications. This tail, typically 200-250 bases long in eukaryotes, is important for the stability, translation, and nuclear export of mRNA.
Function
The Poly-A tail has several key functions:
- It promotes the export of the mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
- It protects the mRNA molecule from enzymatic degradation in the cytoplasm.
- It aids in the initiation of protein synthesis by enabling the binding of ribosomes to the mRNA.
Related Terms
- Adenine: One of the four main bases found in DNA and RNA.
- Eukaryote: An organism whose cells contain a nucleus and other organelles enclosed within membranes.
- mRNA: Messenger RNA, a type of RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome.
- Post-transcriptional modification: The process by which primary transcript RNA is converted into mature RNA.
- Translation (biology): The process by which mRNA is decoded and a protein is produced.
- Nuclear export: The process by which molecules are transported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in eukaryotic cells.
- Ribosome: A complex molecular machine that serves as the site of protein synthesis.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Poly-A tail
- Wikipedia's article - Poly-A tail
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