Questions? Comments? Please contact Dr. Phillip McClean or Christina Johnson.

OVERVIEW
Flythrough Tour
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MOLECULAR PROCESSES
Transcription
Regulated Transcription
mRNA Processing
mRNA Splicing
Translation
Lac Operon
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CELLULAR PROCESSES
Protein Trafficking
Protein Modification
Protein Recycling
Insulin Signaling
Constitutive Secretion
Regulated Secretion
Mitochondrial Protein Transport
Mitosis
Meiosis
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CELLULAR ENERGY CONVERSION
Atp Synthase (Gradients)
Electron Transport Chain
Photosynthesis (Light Reaction)
Photosystem II
Glycolysis (Overview)
Glycolysis (Reactions)
Citric Acid Cycle (Overview)
Citric Acid Cycle (Reactions)
Energy Consumption
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HOME > mRNA PROCESSING > ADVANCED LOOK > 1.) CAPPING > 2.) CLEAVAGE > 3.) POLYADENYLATION
mRNA Processing: Advanced Look --> 3.) Polyadenylation

The final step in processing pre-mRNA is the addition of a poly(A) tail to its 3' end. Clicking on each of the thumbnail images will bring up a larger, labeled version of the described scene.

To see the Flash movie for the following sequence of images, click here.

After cleavage, PAP slowly begins to create the poly(A) tail.

After the tail has reached a short length, additional proteins bind to the mRNA and increase the rate at which the tail grows.

When the tail has reached its full length, PAP is signaled to stop adding A residues, and the tail is completed.

The result of mRNA processing is a strand of mRNA, complete with cap and poly(A) tail, ready for splicing.

 
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