AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Here we describe a new variant of the group I intron ribozyme from Tetrahymena that recognizes two splice sites on a substrate RNA, removes the intron sequences between the splice sites, and joins the flanking exons, analogous to the action of the spliceosome.

Detailed explanation-2: -Introns are removed from the pre-mRNA by the activity of a complex called the spliceosome. The spliceosome is made up of proteins and small RNAs that are associated to form protein-RNA enzymes called small nuclear ribonucleoproteins or snRNPs (pronounced SNURPS).

Detailed explanation-3: -The extensive interplay of RNA and proteins in aligning the pre-mRNA’s reactive groups, and the presence of both RNA and protein at the core of the splicing machinery, suggest that the spliceosome is an RNP enzyme.

Detailed explanation-4: -One end of the intron is cut and folded back on itself to join and form a loop. The spliceosome then cuts the RNA to release the loop and join the two exons together. The edited RNA and intron are released and the spliceosome disassembles. This process is repeated for every intron in the RNA.

Detailed explanation-5: -Introns are removed from primary transcripts by cleavage at conserved sequences called splice sites. These sites are found at the 5′ and 3′ ends of introns. Most commonly, the RNA sequence that is removed begins with the dinucleotide GU at its 5′ end, and ends with AG at its 3′ end.