Final answer:
The U2 snRNP binds to the untranslated regions (UTRs) of the RNA, specifically the 5' and 3' UTRs. This binding helps to form the spliceosome, which is responsible for splicing pre-mRNA and removing introns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The U2 snRNP (small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle) binds to the regions of the RNA just upstream or downstream of the protein-coding region, known as the untranslated regions (UTRs). The region before the protein-coding region is called the 5' UTR, while the region after the coding region is called the 3' UTR. The binding of the U2 snRNP to these regions helps to form the spliceosome, a complex that is responsible for splicing pre-mRNA and removing introns. The spliceosome completes the splicing process by ligating exons into a continuous mRNA with all its codons intact and ready for translation.