back to Molecular Biology Homepage

back to Objectives and Outlines Page

RNA splicing

Announcements:

• Homework #9 (Hoshijima et al) is online, and is due in class on Friday
• Homework #10 (Chapter 11) would be due on Monday--should we do this one or skip it?
• Monday 11/13/00: Midterm exam #2, 7 - 9 pm (talk with me THIS WEEK if you would like to take it at an alternate time)
• Week 10 lab handout will go out over email today--check your email this evening

Learning objectives for Mon 11/6/00

1. Describe the assembly of a spliceosome on a newly-forming RNA in the nucleus. Include the order of addition of the snRNP's, and the sites in the RNA to which they bind
2. Describe the two chemical reactions that take place in splicing. How is the branch point adenosine involved? How is the lariat formed?
3. Define "snRNP" and describe how a snRNP "recognizes" its binding site in a newly-forming RNA

Outline:

• Correction of my mistake from last Friday about the HIV life cycle
• Introduction to splicing
• What's a spliceosome? A snRNP? An snRNA?
• How do the U1 and U2 snRNP's "recognize" their binding sites?
• Why is the branch point adenosine important? What are the chemical reactions involved in splicing?
• What's a spliceosome again? How is this timed and regulated?
• Potential mechanisms for alternative splicing--lead in to Wednesday

back to Objectives and Outlines Page

back to Molecular Biology Homepage