VCAC: Molecular Processes: mRNA Splicing: Advanced Look: Splicing

Splicing refers to the action by which the splicesome removes an intron and connects the remaining exons together. Clicking on each of the thumbnail images will bring up a larger, labeled version of the described scene.

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	Splicing can now begin. First, the 5' end of the intron is cleaved.
	The 5' GU end of the intron is then moved toward the A branch site, creating a lariat structure.
	Next, the 3' end of the intron is cleaved.
	Once the intron has been fully cleaved, the two exons are ligated together.
	The spliceosome then dissociates.
	Following splicing, the lariat intron quickly degrades.
	The mature strand of mRNA is now ready for translation.

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