Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Alternative Splicing
Alternative splicing is a process during gene expression where different combinations of exons are joined or skipped in the pre-mRNA, resulting in multiple mRNA variants from a single gene. This mechanism increases protein diversity by producing different protein isoforms with varied functions.
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Types of Alternative Splicing Patterns
Common alternative splicing patterns include exon skipping (an exon is excluded), mutually exclusive exons (only one of two exons is included), and intron retention (an intron is retained in the mature mRNA). Each pattern alters the mRNA sequence, affecting the resulting protein structure.
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Protein Isoforms and Functional Diversity
Different splicing patterns produce protein isoforms that may vary in domains, localization, or activity. These isoforms can have distinct biological roles, enabling a single gene to contribute to multiple cellular functions and increasing the complexity of gene regulation.
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