Final answer:
Alternative RNA splicing is a process by which a single gene can produce different protein products through selective removal of introns and sometimes exons, allowing diversification of protein functions based on cell type and development stage. It accounts for the expression of up to 70 percent of human genes in diverse protein forms, emphasizing its critical role in gene expression and regulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alternative RNA splicing is a critical mechanism in gene expression that allows for the production of different protein products from a single gene. This is achieved by the selective removal of introns and sometimes exons during the splicing process. Originally discovered in the 1970s, alternative splicing serves as a versatile means of gene regulation within eukaryotic cells. By controlling the splicing process, cells can regulate the diversity of protein products that are produced, which is crucial for different cellular functions or during different stages of development. Remarkably, up to 70 percent of human genes are expressed as multiple proteins through the mechanisms of alternative splicing.
Different splicing variants can be produced under various conditions, which yields a wider array of protein functions. The process is conducted by the spliceosome, which identifies exon-intron boundaries and excises the introns, joining the exons in the original 5'-3' sequence. Given the complexity and importance of this process, alternative RNA splicing is intimately linked to multiple steps in gene expression, including post-transcriptional control, mRNA transport, localization, stability, and translation.