Alternative splicing

Alternative splicing (pronunciation: /ɔːlˈtɜːrnətɪv ˈsplaɪsɪŋ/) is a regulated process during gene expression that results in a single gene coding for multiple proteins. In this process, particular exons of a gene may be included within, or excluded from, the final, processed messenger RNA (mRNA) produced from that gene. Consequently, the proteins translated from alternatively spliced mRNAs will contain differences in their amino acid sequence and, often, in their biological functions.

Etymology

The term "alternative splicing" was coined in the late 20th century as scientists began to understand the mechanisms of gene expression. The word "alternative" refers to the fact that different combinations of exons can be spliced together, leading to different mRNA transcripts from a single gene. The word "splicing" refers to the process of removing introns and joining exons together in the mRNA transcript.

Related terms

Exon: A segment of a DNA or RNA molecule containing information coding for a protein or peptide sequence.
Intron: A segment of a DNA or RNA molecule that does not code for proteins and interrupts the sequence of genes.
mRNA: Messenger RNA, a large family of RNA molecules that convey genetic information from DNA to the ribosome.
Gene expression: The process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product.
Protein: Large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues.