POLY A TAIL Meaning and
Definition
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A poly A tail refers to a stretch of consecutive adenosine (A) nucleotides that are added to the 3’ end of a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule during RNA processing. This process is known as polyadenylation. The poly A tail is a key characteristic of eukaryotic mRNA molecules and plays several essential roles in gene expression and mRNA stability.
This post-transcriptional modification occurs after the RNA polymerase enzyme has transcribed the DNA sequence into a precursor mRNA molecule. It involves the addition of approximately 200 adenine residues to the 3’ end of the mRNA, resulting in a long poly A tail. The addition of the poly A tail is catalyzed by an enzyme called poly(A) polymerase.
The poly A tail serves multiple functions. Firstly, it helps protect the mRNA molecule from degradation by exonucleases, which tend to degrade RNA starting from the 3’ end. The presence of the poly A tail also facilitates mRNA export from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and assists in the recognition of mRNA molecules by ribosomes during translation. Additionally, the poly A tail participates in the regulation of gene expression, as its length can influence mRNA stability and efficiency of translation.
In summary, the poly A tail is a modification specific to eukaryotic mRNA molecules, involving the addition of a stretch of adenine nucleotides to the 3’ end of the mRNA. This poly A tail contributes to mRNA stability, export, and translation, playing a crucial role in gene expression.
Common Misspellings for POLY A TAIL
- ooly a tail
- loly a tail
- 0oly a tail
- pily a tail
- pkly a tail
- plly a tail
- pply a tail
- p0ly a tail
- p9ly a tail
- poky a tail
- popy a tail
- pooy a tail
- polt a tail
- polg a tail
- polh a tail
- polu a tail
- pol7 a tail
- pol6 a tail
- poly z tail
- poly s tail
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